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Stories from April 20, 2026

Cleanup continues this week after Friday’s Rochester-area tornadoes

Cleanup continues this week after Friday’s tornadoes that damaged dozens of homes in the Rochester area. The worst of that damage was in the Stewartville and Marion areas. The National Weather Service says it was caused by an E-F-2 tornado with peak winds of 130 miles per hour. Businesses are beginning to file refund requests for tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.
by Emily Reese

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A protester threw a snowball. Federal agents responded with tear gas and pepper balls

A protester threw a snowball. Federal agents responded with tear gas and pepper balls

A new investigation from ProPublica and FRONTLINE examines federal agents’ response to protesters and bystanders at the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps. “We see, just, use of excessive force after use of excess force,” one expert said.
by ProPublica Staff

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Nursing home workers launch strike across Twin Cities facilities

Nursing home workers launch strike across Twin Cities facilities

Over 300 members of the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa union voted to strike, demanding higher wages, improved benefits and safer staffing levels.
by Erica Zurek

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Critical fire danger and summerlike warmth for midweek

Critical fire danger and summerlike warmth for midweek

A red flag warning is in effect across parts of Minnesota Monday night as critical fire weather conditions continue, with an unseasonably warm stretch peaking midweek before storm chances return Thursday.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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'A horrible decision': Domestic violence survivors hiding during ICE surge faced increase danger

'A horrible decision': Domestic violence survivors hiding during ICE surge faced increase danger

A domestic violence advocate told MPR News that increased immigration enforcement left some domestic violence survivors afraid to leave home, cutting them off from support and forcing difficult choices about their safety.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Expert: Cyberattacks on local governments are no longer rare

Expert: Cyberattacks on local governments are no longer rare

Minnesota documented 269 cybersecurity incidents from December 2024 to November 2025. That’s an average of about five incidents a week. Two major ones in April include on Winona County and Spring Lake Park Schools.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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Olmsted Co. residents begin recovery efforts after dozens of homes damaged in tornadoes

Olmsted Co. residents begin recovery efforts after dozens of homes damaged in tornadoes

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson said after making assessments this weekend they discovered more property that sustained damage in Friday’s tornadoes, bringing the total up to 60 to 70. The county also learned of two people who were hospitalized with minor injuries from the storm.
by Nina Moini, Ellen Finn and Molly Castle Work

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'Keep wearing glitter': Jessie Diggins closes historic Nordic skiing career with retirement party

'Keep wearing glitter': Jessie Diggins closes historic Nordic skiing career with retirement party

Jessie Diggins returned to Minnesota for a home-state celebration to mark the end of her nearly two-decade long career that reshaped U.S. cross-country skiing. More than 2,000 fans gathered at Allianz Field in St. Paul to honor her legacy, from her Olympic glory to her impact on athlete mental health.
by Ellen Finn

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Morning Announcements for April 20

Morning Announcements for April 20

These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, April 20. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Japan warns of slightly increased risk of mega-quake after a 7.7-magnitude one

Japan warns of slightly increased risk of mega-quake after a 7.7-magnitude one

Japan has issued an advisory for northern coastal areas for an increased risk of a possible mega-quake following a 7.7-magnitude quake earlier Monday. The Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency said there is 1 percent chance for a mega-quake occurring in the area over the next week or so.
by The Associated Press

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Peace talks are in doubt as the U.S. seizes an Iranian ship

Peace talks are in doubt as the U.S. seizes an Iranian ship

President Trump said a U.S. delegation will head to Pakistan to resume talks to end the war with Iran, but Tehran expressed reluctance after the U.S. seized one of its cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
by NPR Staff

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Fears of looser standards as the FBI and Justice Department scramble to fill a depleted workforce

Fears of looser standards as the FBI and Justice Department scramble to fill a depleted workforce

The FBI and Justice Department are scrambling to rebuild a depleted workforce after a wave of departures over the last year. In response, leaders are easing hiring requirements and accelerating recruitment in ways that some current and former officials see as a lowering of long-accepted standards.
by The Associated Press

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One year later: How tariffs are changing trade, travel, and ties between the U.S. and Canada

One year later: How tariffs are changing trade, travel, and ties between the U.S. and Canada

MPR News host Angela Davis and senior economics contributor Chris Farrell explore how the Trump administration’s tariffs on Canada have affected both countries over the last year.
by Angela Davis, Chris Farrell and Cari Dwyer

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Defending champion John Korir breaks Boston Marathon record and Sharon Lokedi also repeats

Defending champion John Korir breaks Boston Marathon record and Sharon Lokedi also repeats

Defending champion John Korir broke the Boston Marathon course record, riding a tailwind to outrun the fastest field in event history and win in 2 hours, 1 minute, 52 seconds for his second straight victory.
by The Associated Press

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Businesses can claim refunds starting Monday for Trump tariffs declared unconstitutional

Businesses can claim refunds starting Monday for Trump tariffs declared unconstitutional

A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs which the U.S. Supreme Court eventually struck down is scheduled to launch on Monday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says importers and their brokers will be able to begin claiming refunds online beginning at 8 a.m.
by The Associated Press

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Temperatures rapidly warm back up

Temperatures rapidly warm back up

After a chilly weekend, temperatures warm back up quickly early this week. Southern Minnesota will see 80s by Wednesday with more storms possible Thursday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Lawmakers hammer out deals with Gov. Walz as the end of the legislative session looms

At the Minnesota Legislature, there is less than one month until the final day. Legislative leaders have started meeting with Gov. Tim Walz to hammer out deals. Among the remaining issues is school safety — from added counseling and security features to possible restrictions on guns.
by Phineas Pope

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Family of Mariah Samuels ready for justice after a prolonged murder trial

Family of Mariah Samuels ready for justice after a prolonged murder trial

Mariah Samuels’ family is eager to finally celebrate justice Monday afternoon, when David Wright is scheduled — for the second time — to receive a life sentence for first-degree murder. But the fight for justice will not be over.
by Cari Spencer

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School safety is shared area of Minnesota lawmaker focus, but parties split on solutions

School safety is shared area of Minnesota lawmaker focus, but parties split on solutions

Minnesota lawmakers came into the 2026 legislative session with school safety as top priority. While there's overlap in changes that could help secure schools, the narrowly-split Legislature is still at odds about the best path forward.
by Dana Ferguson

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