Stories from March 23, 2026

Defendants in church protest suspect others may also be wrongfully charged
After a case of mistaken identity led prosecutors to drop charges against one woman, defense attorneys are demanding the government immediately turn over evidence they suspect could clear others.
Tens of thousands expected for No Kings national flagship rally in St. Paul
The St. Paul event — featuring local officials and activists alongside nationally known figures such as Jane Fonda, Joan Baez and Sen. Bernie Sanders — is slated to be a flagship event on a day of thousands of gatherings across the country protesting Trump administration policies.
MSP airport avoids long lines —  and ICE presence — during TSA agent shortage
TSA agents across the country haven’t been showing up to work because they aren’t getting paid due to the partial government shutdown. But so far, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has been spared from long security wait times.
For a third year in a row, lawmakers look to change zoning regulations
Zoning regulations create rules around how property can be developed and used. Housing advocates want to change them statewide to address a shortage of homes. But the League of Minnesota Cities wants to leave those decisions to municipalities.
Morning Announcements for March 23
These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, March 23. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
The colorful moons of 2026
Several full moons in 2026 are drawing attention for their colorful names, but most of these events are tied more to seasonal traditions than actual changes in the moon’s appearance.
Trump says the U.S. is in talks with Iran to end the war. Iran denied having talks.
Trump said the U.S. will postpone any strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, even as Israel continued hitting Tehran and Iran warned it could retaliate across the Gulf. Iran denied having talks.
How technology is changing work in Minnesota
Technology is changing our world. Can Minnesota help shape where it goes next? MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with two leaders from the Minnesota Technology Association about how tech companies in Minnesota are working to prepare people for the future. 
Five people — including four members of the same family — died in a head-on crash along a southwest Minnesota highway on Friday afternoon.
The Twin Cities — the site of the flagship No Kings rally on Saturday — is set to attract more than 80,000 people. Thousands of rallies across the country will correspond with the Twin Cities No Kings event. Three marches are scheduled before the main rally at the Capitol in St. Paul. Sen. Bernie Sanders, actress Jane Fonda and singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers will headline the guest slate.
Cooler but still well above normal this week
Temperatures this week will average just below normal in the far north, but for most it will be above normal this week. We have a couple minor precipitation chances Monday night and again Thursday. 
Minnesota hockey reporter Jessi Pierce and her 3 children found dead in White Bear Lake house fire
Minnesota hockey reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children were found dead following a house fire early Saturday in White Bear Lake. Pierce’s hockey coverage included co-hosting the “Bardown Beauties” podcast and writing about the Minnesota Wild as the correspondent for NHL.com.
‘Skol’ spirit, let’s hear it: Tungseth represents Minnesota in top 20 of ‘American Idol’
Chris Tungseth, a blue-collar construction worker from Fergus Falls, takes the stage in Hawaii Monday night hoping to vault to the next round of competition on the reality show “American Idol.”