Stories from July 17, 2025

Minnesota education commissioner speaks to dismantling of DOE, federal funding loss
The first day of school is about six weeks away and school districts in Minnesota and across the nation are scrambling to figure out how to go forward without the U.S. Department of Education.
Trump administration hands over Medicaid recipients' personal data, including addresses, to ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will gain access to personally identifiable information for all of the nation’s 79 million Medicaid enrollees. That's according to an agreement obtained by The Associated Press.
Klobuchar: Cuts to public broadcasting 'couldn't be coming at a worse time'
The U.S. Senate approved a rescissions package that cuts $1.1 billion from public media over the next two years. That includes funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting that goes to 16 media organizations in Minnesota.
Juul can continue selling its tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes, FDA says
Federal health officials will allow Juul to keep selling its electronic cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that Juul's benefits as a less harmful alternative for adult smokers outweigh the risks of teen use.
Denis Bouanga, Hugo Lloris lead LAFC over Minnesota United 1-0 for third straight shutout victory
Denis Bouanga scored on a first-half penalty kick and Hugo Lloris made it stand up for his third straight clean sheet as Los Angeles FC edged Minnesota United 1-0. Bouanga scored his 11th goal when he sent a right-footed shot past Dayne St. Clair in the 42nd minute. 
Air traffic controllers say a push to modernize equipment won't fix deeper problems
Former and current U.S. air traffic controllers say the Trump administration's focus on new equipment doesn't address problems like grueling schedules and stagnating pay that are hurting morale.
Record lows tied as cool stretch continues
If the latest weather has you craving pumpkin spice lattes and oversized sweaters, I hate to break it to you but it’s still mid-July. Enjoy the brief stretch of cooler days while they last. Summerlike warmth and humidity return next week.
Israeli strike hits Gaza church, killing 3 and wounding priest who was close to Pope Francis
An Israeli shell slammed into the compound of the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, killing three people and wounding 10 others, including the parish priest, according to church officials.
'Tough choices ahead' at MPR, APM after Senate approves public media cuts
A bill cutting $1.1 billion from public media stations across the country passed the Senate and heads to the House, where it is likely to pass. The cuts would widen the budget gap to $6 million at American Public Media, which runs MPR.
Turning pain into progress: The Groundbreak Coalition’s work to close the racial wealth gap
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Minnesota leaders behind the Groundbreak Coalition — a multibillion-dollar plan to close the racial wealth gap by rethinking how we invest in homes, businesses, and communities. 
Minnesota has joined a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over FEMA's move in April to end some disaster preparedness funding. Law enforcement shot and killed a person in St. Louis County on Tuesday after that person allegedly set homes on fire and shot at officers.
Nicole Mitchell testifies, insisting she went into stepmother’s home only for a welfare check
State Sen. Nicole Mitchell testified in her own defense as her criminal trial continued Thursday. She told jurors she broke into her stepmother’s home in April of last year out of concern for Carol Mitchell’s health, contradicting body cam video of her saying she wanted to retrieve some of her late father’s belongings.
Minnesota Farmfest leader, innovator and founding father dies at 88
Marlyn Buss, who is considered the founding father of Minnesota Farmfest, died on Friday at 88 in Lake Crystal on what would have been his 55th wedding anniversary. He restarted and expanded the annual exhibition of farm equipment and agricultural products, turning it into a place when rural Minnesotans could come together to make connections and discuss agricultural policy, as well as for entertainment.
FBI raids 5 Twin Cities businesses in Medicaid fraud probe
FBI agents raided five Twin Cities businesses and two homes Wednesday as part of an investigation into Medicaid housing assistance fraud. Twenty-two purported providers collectively billed taxpayers $8 million over 17 months and used fake documentation to back their claims, the FBI alleges.
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