Minnesota Today®

Minnesota Today podcast art
Minnesota Today
MPR News

Minnesota Today from MPR News brings you the most important stories from around the state. All on your schedule. Get updated on the latest news in about five minutes, every weekday morning and evening.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS

Subscribe to Podcast
Gov. Tim Walz spoke to reporters today about his decision to drop his reelection bid. The decision came amid attacks from the federal government over his handling of fraud in the state. And a Capitol area security panel will meet tomorrow to consider new rules that could improve public safety on the campus.
Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he's ending his bid for reelection. Republican candidates for governor and Republican party leaders applauded Walz’s decision not to run again, but quickly criticized any Democrat who might step into his place.
Gov. Tim Walz has dropped out of his race for re-election amid growing federal scrutiny of fraud in Minnesota. Walz announced in the fall that he would seek a third term, but in recent months, fraud in state social service programs has become a national story. Sources told MPR News that Democratic Sen. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar is considering a run for governor. Former Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty says Klobuchar would be a challenging opponent for GOP candidates — if she runs.
Gov. Tim Walz has scheduled a news conference for later this morning without a predetermined topic. That’s fanning speculation that the two-term Democratic governor may be reassessing his reelection campaign.
St. Paul swore in a new mayor today. Kaohly Her, who has represented part of the city in the Minnesota House since 2019, takes the reins of the capital city.
Kaohly Her will be sworn in as mayor of St. Paul on Friday. She’s the first woman and first Hmong-American to have the role. Her will make history in the office, but her plans are focused on basics — making it easier to start and run a business in the city of St. Paul.
The U.S. House will hold a hearing on fraud in Minnesota's social service programs in early January and again in February. The Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Government will hear from three GOP state legislators from Minnesota Jan. 7. The Initiative Foundation in central Minnesota is providing financial support to Somali American nonprofit organizations facing harassment and threats. This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota amid accusations of fraud. And Minnesota workers gain new benefits around breaks, wages and leave policies starting this week. 
The Anoka-Hennepin teachers union says a mediation session with the school district yesterday failed to produce a contract agreement as a planned strike date nears. And State Senator John Hoffman says he'll pursue another term in 2026. Hoffman and his family survived an assassination attempt in their home over the summer.