Politics and Government News

Stay updated with the latest political and government news. MPR News covers local, state and national politics, providing in-depth analysis and updates on policies, elections and governmental actions.

 Lawsuit challenges new Minnesota law requiring prescription drugs for county jail inmates
The law’s opponents say the law requires health care providers to give inmates medicine even if they think it could worsen their health. Supporters say it's needed to ensure inmates are provided with the medicine they need.
Minnesota counties worry about cost shifts from Trump's big bill
Minnesota is one of 10 states where counties administer Medicaid and SNAP benefits. St. Louis County estimates it will have to pay an additional $16.4 million to be able to continue providing benefits to residents.
Supreme Court will take up a new case about which school sports teams transgender students can join
Just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. On Thursday, the justices said they'll review lower court rulings in favor of transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia. The case will be argued in the fall.
Wisconsin governor signs budget in early morning to secure Medicaid funds
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a new two-year budget in the early morning hours Thursday in a race against Congress to ensure the state gets a federal Medicaid match that it would lose under President Trump's tax and spending cuts package.
To kick off celebrations of America’s founding, Trump travels to its heartland
President Trump will give a speech in Iowa Thursday night as the official start to a year of events marking the country’s 250th anniversary. It comes at a crucial time for his domestic policy agenda.
The House gives final approval to Trump's big tax bill and sends it to him to sign
House Republicans have propelled President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage. Republicans overcame multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package Thursday before a Fourth of July deadline.
How a GOP rift over tech regulation doomed a ban on state AI laws in Trump’s tax bill
A stark disagreement over regulating AI in Republicans’ tax cut and spending bill is the latest tension among conservatives about whether to let states continue to put guardrails on emerging technologies or minimize such interference.
Prosecution moves forward after alleged Hortman assassin waives hearings
Vance Boelter made another brief appearance in a St. Paul federal courtroom Thursday, where he waived his right to the hearings that had been scheduled. Boelter is charged with killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.