Politics and Government News

Get the latest in Minnesota politics: 🎧 Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast | 📧 Sign up for the Capitol View newsletter

Rep. Ilhan Omar on Fateh endorsement, government shutdown and Gaza
Today, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar endorsed State Sen. Omar Fateh in the Minneapolis mayoral race. MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Rep. Omar outside Minneapolis City Hall just after her endorsement Monday morning.
Uncertainty over the economy and tariffs forces many retailers to be cautious on holiday hiring
Rising tariff costs and other economic factors are forcing retailers to pull back or even delay their plans to hire seasonal workers. These temp workers typically pack orders at distribution centers, serve shoppers at stores and build holiday displays during the most important selling season of the year.
Amid shutdown, Trump administration guts department overseeing special education
Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education.
Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states
Senate Republicans have voted to roll back restrictions on mining and drilling in federal land in three Western states. The moves advance President Donald Trump's ambitions to expand energy production from public lands.
Trump slashes mental health agency as shutdown drags on
Sources tell NPR that more than 100 employees have been laid off at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had some cuts reversed late Saturday.
5 things to know about the health care fight behind the shutdown
If Congress doesn't act, costs will rise on premiums for health care plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Here's what to know about the politics and real-world impact of this issue.
Truce fizzles as U.S.-China trade tensions return to full boil
Months of relative calm in the long-simmering trade war between the U.S. and China may be coming to an end. A spate of moves between the two nations this week has thrust trade hostilities back in the global spotlight, roiled stock markets and raised alarms of what might come next.
Trump sets off for the Mideast to mark a ceasefire deal and urge Arab leaders to seize the moment
President Donald Trump is setting off for Israel and Egypt to celebrate the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. He's also expected to urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region. Trump is stopping first in Israel to meet with hostage families and address the parliament. 
Trump directs the Pentagon to use 'all available funds' to ensure troops are paid despite shutdown
President Donald Trump says he's directed the Defense Department to use “all available funds” to ensure that U.S. troops are paid on Wednesday despite the government shutdown. Trump said in a social media post Saturday that he was acting because “our Brave Troops will miss the paychecks they are rightfully due on October 15th.”