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Planes, trains and automobiles: A snapshot of 2025 holiday travel in Minnesota
It’s been a busy week for thousands of people traveling for the Christmas holiday. Our reporters talked to people journeying near and far — using all means of travel to reach their destinations.
What is ‘wassailing?‘ What makes a Christmas carol a ‘carol?’ Some Christmas terms defined
What exactly is wassailing — and why does it keep showing up in Christmas songs? From medieval drinking bowls to danceable melodies, here’s what separates a carol from a hymn and why traditions like “The Gloucestershire Wassail” still endure.
Heart and Hearth: An on-air Christmas party
MPR News invites listeners to a festive on-air wassailing celebration, “Heart and Hearth,” featuring music, storytelling and communal singing inspired by the English holiday tradition.
Faith leaders make Christmas call for compassion, end to anti-immigrant rhetoric
Churches and faith leaders across Minnesota are calling for a cooling of the hateful rhetoric and a stop to the fear-mongering this Christmas as the threat of more immigration enforcement actions hangs over the holiday.
Minnesota DVS warns ICE agents they’re violating state law by switching license plates
The director of Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services told federal homeland security officials to stop license plate switching immediately. Gov. Tim Walz called tampering with plates “criminal activity.” 
Seven Minnesotans will skate for the U.S. in the upcoming Junior World Ice Hockey Championships
Team USA will return four Minnesota players from last year’s gold medal squad. Defensemen Logan Hensler of Woodbury and Adam Kleber of Chaska will return to represent the United States, as will forwards Max Plante of Hermantown and Brodie Ziemer of Chaska.