Senate plans to vote Thursday on mining ban near Boundary Waters The U.S. Senate is scheduled to take up a resolution that would reverse a 20-year mining ban on land just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Senate plans to vote Thursday on a move to undo a 20-year moratorium on mining on a huge swath of federal land near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Active weather week ahead: Severe storms possible Monday afternoon The atmosphere is setting the stage for strong to severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening, with the highest risk south of a line from Redwood Falls through the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Wis...

⛈️‼️ Enhanced severe weather risk for the Twin Cities and surrounding areas this afternoon/evening! Large hail (possibly baseball), damaging winds and tornadoes are possible. Storms should fire between 3-6 pm. Stay tuned to MPR News for the latest, and download the app www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Minnesota House reconvenes after break to dueling ethics complaints over member conduct Ethics complaints are being filed by each party over the behavior of members of the other party to start the second half of the Minnesota legislative session.

As legislators return to duty this week, Republicans and Democrats in the knotted-up Minnesota House are engaging in back-and-forth ethics charges against members of the other party.

Politics Friday: 3 congressional candidates vying for their party's endorsement YouTube video by MPR News

On live now with MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst

More than 100,000 descended on St. Paul for ‘No Kings’ flagship rally YouTube video by MPR News

Around 100,000 attended the St. Paul flagship “No Kings” rally, according to numbers reported by the Minnesota State Patrol. Organizers of the event said they think the number of attendees is closer to 200,000.

@mprnews.org set up a timelapse video to document how many people showed up.

‘Skol’ spirit, let’s hear it: Tungseth represents Minnesota in top 20 of ‘American Idol’ Chris Tungseth, a blue-collar construction worker from Fergus Falls, takes the stage in Hawaii Monday night hoping to vault to the next round of competition on the reality show “American Idol.”

Chris Tungseth, from Fergus Falls, takes the stage in Hawaii tonight hoping to vault to the next round of competition on the reality show “American Idol.”

And what makes his accomplishment all the more remarkable, is that Tungseth, who grew up singing for fun, never planned to try out for the show.

Minnesota Legislature’s deadlines could filter high-interest bills this week The Minnesota Legislature faces Friday deadlines to move bills without a price tag. Those that don’t make it will likely get funneled out for the year.

As Minnesota lawmakers head into deadline week, proposals without a price tag reach a funnel.

Bills without backing in both chambers could begin to fall away. That means proposals to limit firearms, weed out fraud or place restrictions on federal immigration agents in the state could be set aside.

Significant winter storm expected in Minnesota YouTube video by MPR News

❄️March snowstorm bringing some prolific amounts to the region this weekend. Keep up to date on the latest forecast at mprnews.org www.youtube.com/shorts/5JvuM...

Driver and Vehicle Services asks for public's help picking new hold music Driver and Vehicle Services is asking the public to vote on which of the four tunes will have the honor of being the next song callers hear on hold.

Did I spend my morning listening to hold music so I could make an informed vote?

...

Anyways, DVS wants you to weigh in:
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Energy prices soar to levels not seen in years; cost of gas rising in Minnesota and across the U.S. Oil prices have spiked near $120 a barrel as the Iran war disrupts oil production and shipping in the Middle East. Gas prices continued to climb over the weekend in Minnesota and across the U.S.

Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel before falling back Monday as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummeling financial markets.

And gas prices continued to climb over the weekend in Minnesota and across the U.S.

Greater Minnesota schools felt the fear as ICE presence surged While the surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities grabbed much of the attention the past few months, stories of children hiding at home, crying in class and being detained have quietly gripped some...

While the surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities grabbed much of the attention the past few months, stories of children hiding at home, crying in class and being detained have quietly gripped some Minnesota small towns since January.

More from MPR News reporter @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social

Dropkick Murphys, local bands to play free concert at Alex Pretti memorial Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey says the band will visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents killed Alex Pretti and perform a free acoustic set at an anti-ICE fundraiser there, arguing the k...

Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys says it's important to the band to visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti. They will perform a free acoustic set at an anti-ICE fundraiser there, arguing the killing represents a profound shift in American society.

St. Paul pastor testifies in front of Congress: 'No nation can build a true future on the terror of its own people' MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with the Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, Senior Pastor at Hamline Church United Methodist, about her experience.

MPR News host Clay Masters (@claymasters.bsky.social) spoke with Rev. Mariah Tollgaard about her experience testifying with Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Federal judge weighs contempt for U.S. Attorney over ICE property dispute A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense daylong court h...

A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense daylong court hearing in St. Paul.

Minnesotan killed in airstrike while serving in Kuwait was just days from returning home Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children in Minnesota when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service ...

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her.

“You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first — it hurts,” her husband, Joey Amor, said.

Minnesota Wild, city of St. Paul propose $600M in renovations at Grand Casino Arena The agreement asks the Minnesota Legislature for $200 million — with $125 million of that being allocated for Grand Casino Arena and rest going toward St. Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. ...

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Minnesota Wild leadership announced Tuesday that they’ve reached an agreement on a framework for $600 million in renovations at the Grand Casino Arena complex.

From @anikabesst.bsky.social

Why supporting a shelter for women is now 'kind of radioactive' That's how researcher Beatriz Garcia Nice describes the new U.S. stance under the Trump administration to programs addressing gender-based violence.

That's how researcher Beatriz Garcia Nice describes the new U.S. stance under the Trump administration to programs addressing gender-based violence. n.pr/46Ds6JJ

Federal judge weighs contempt for U.S. Attorney over ICE property dispute A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense day-long court ...

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ordered Rosen and one of his top deputies to appear personally and explain why Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to follow orders to return personal belongings — such as car keys, driver’s licenses and work permits — to detainees.

From @msepic.bsky.social

Minnesota comedians respond to ICE presence, and aren't afraid to get political Minneapolis comedians are responding to ICE’s presence in Minnesota by “punching up” through political comedy and fundraising roasts that channel fear and anger into community support, even as the imm...

*seinfeld voice* what's the deal with local comedy? www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Meet the Annunciation parents mobilizing to end gun violence in Minnesota The parents’ advocacy group — Annunciation Light Alliance — is prepared to push for gun violence prevention at the Minnesota Legislature and beyond.

The parents’ advocacy group — Annunciation Light Alliance — is prepared to push for gun violence prevention at the Minnesota Legislature and beyond.

MPR News reporter Feven Gerezgiher introduces us to some of the parents involved in the effort.

ICE whistleblower: New agents came to Minnesota untrained Ryan Schwank was a lawyer with ICE who worked as a trainer at the ICE academy from Sept. 2025 until he resigned earlier this month. In his first interview with local news in Minnesota, he described a ...

In his testimony to congress, Ryan Schwank said he witnessed a training scenario where they had a bystander filming and the trainee pepper sprayed the bystander.

When he asked the trainee why he did it, he said it was because it was what he saw ICE agents doing in Minneapolis.

Minnesota lawmakers weigh bill aimed at preventing grooming, abuse in schools The proposed legislation would make grooming a felony, forbid school employees or volunteers from being alone with students during field trips and expand the state licensing board’s ability to suspend...

A newly proposed MN bill suggests a series of changes to the state criminal code, teacher licensing requirements, MDE investigations, mandatory reporter training and school field trip requirements, all aimed at preventing grooming and child abuse in schools. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Been out sick for a few days. What did I miss?

Blizzard breaks up ice pack at Apostle Islands caves, likely ending foot access for the winter After one glorious, fleeting day — access to the Apostle Islands ice caves is likely done for the season. The blizzard sweeping across Lake Superior broke up the ice pack along the shore overnight.

After one glorious, fleeting day — access to the Apostle Islands ice caves is likely done for the season. The blizzard sweeping across Lake Superior broke up the ice pack along the shore overnight

www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Our running list of judges who have ruled on ICE’s mass detention policy POLITICO is keeping track of the federal judges who have ruled on the administration’s effort to systematically lock up thousands of people.

NEW: Here’s our searchable list of federal judges who have ruled on the legality of ICE’s mass detention policy — with links to key decisions by each.

At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Column by Dr. Jordan Metzl: For decades, we have equated thinness with health, but it's time to change that. Consistent movement may or may not change your weight, but it always improves health.

Here are some ways to add movement to your routine: https://wapo.st/3ZXoHkX

Highways and schools closed as blizzard conditions wallop Duluth, North Shore Blizzard conditions continued to pummel Duluth and the North Shore on Wednesday, knocking out power to thousands and prompting state transportation officials to close Highway 61 between Duluth and the...

Blizzard conditions continue to pummel Duluth and the North Shore, closing schools and knocking out power to thousands. The winter storm also prompted state transportation officials to close Highway 61 between Duluth and the Canadian border.

Minnesota man faces deportation to Laos for a crime he committed more than 30 years ago At “Ricky” Chandee pled guilty to assault when he was 18 and served a prison sentence in the early 1990s. Since his release, he has worked for the city of Minneapolis for nearly 30 years. His family s...

At "Ricky" Chandee was detained last month based on a conviction from 1992. His immigration lawyer, Linus Chan, said his case raises an important question: “At what point are we supposed to continue to say that if you've committed a crime, you're always a criminal?”

A screenshot of People Over Papers’ ICE reporting map. The map resets at 4 am ET every day. In Minnesota, over 100 reports have been filed today, with the overwhelming majority in and around the Twin Cities. Stay safe. Fuck ICE.

Still around 100 community reports of ICE activity around the Twin Cities today, the most of any state by far.

In case you’re wondering why so many of us aren’t quite taking Homan’s presser today at face value.

54-year-old U.S. curler sets new American Winter Olympics age record Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling.

Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling. n.pr/3MG0qNl