Dana Ferguson

Minnesota’s economic outlook improves with $3.7 billion near-term surplus, though uncertainty looms Lawmakers got an update on what’s on the horizon for Minnesota’s budget and economy. The forecast is complicated by in-limbo tariffs and impacts of surged federal immigration action.

Minnesota’s economic outlook improves with $3.7 billion near-term surplus, though uncertainty looms www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

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...

Minnesota gun bills stall but Annunciation families vow to keep pushing the proposals Proposed bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines stalled in a Minnesota House committee Tuesday after survivors and families affected by the Annunciation Church and School shooting m...

Minnesota gun bills stall but Annunciation families vow to keep pushing the proposals www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

After his parents’ killing, Colin Hortman is working through grief, searching for ways to honor them As the Minnesota Legislature prepares to honor Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, their son Colin shares in an MPR News interview how he’s coping with grief and hoping their deaths remain a c...

Colin Hortman’s eight-month journey through grief brought cherished memories flooding back since his parents Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed in their home in June. He says he hopes their deaths remain a clarion call for toned-down political rhetoric.

Border czar Tom Homan: Immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota coming to an end Homan addressed reporters Thursday morning at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the base for the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota.

The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump.

“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said.

White House official overseeing federal immigration operation in Minnesota set to speak with reporters The White House official overseeing the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota is set to speak with reporters on Thursday morning.

Tom Homan, the White House official overseeing the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota, is set to speak with reporters at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

White House official Tom Homan announces drawdown by 700 agents in Minnesota Tom Homan, The White House official in charge of the Minnesota immigration enforcement surge, said he is drawing down the number of federal agents in the state by 700 officers. After the drawdown, the...

White House official Tom Homan announces drawdown by 700 agents in Minnesota www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Immigration, fraud motivate voters in strongly attended Minnesota precinct caucuses Immigration and fraud were two motivating issues for Minnesota caucus attendees last night as attendees also began to sort the field in the governor’s race.

Immigration, fraud motivate voters in strongly attended Minnesota precinct caucuses www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

ICE attorney to judge: ‘This job sucks’ A federal judge admonished DHS for repeatedly defying court orders to release detainees, as government lawyers described widespread noncompliance during Minnesota’s immigration crackdown.

ICE attorney to judge: ‘This job sucks’ www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Minnesota precinct caucuses offer first venue for voters in chock-full 2026 campaign Voters get their first chance to help shape key Minnesota political races at Feb. 3 precinct caucuses. The neighborhood gatherings come as top races see churn and an immigration operation has heighten...

Minnesota precinct caucuses offer first venue for voters in chock-full 2026 campaign www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Trump backs off from threat to invoke Insurrection Act Here’s the latest Friday around the increased federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota and the protests against the killing of 37-year-old Renee Macklin Good in Minneapolis last week by a U.S. Imm...

Trump backs off from threat to invoke Insurrection Act www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

State agents ousted from ICE shooting probe, feds take control The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Thursday it was told the FBI is now in sole control of the investigation around the killing of a woman in Minneapolis Wednesday by an ICE agent.

State agents ousted from ICE shooting probe, feds take control -- Gov. Tim Walz, state officials to respond at 11:30 www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Live updates: Frey disputes that ICE killed woman in self-defense ICE officials say the woman was shot and killed Wednesday morning in south Minneapolis after attempting to run over agents with her car. Mayor Jacob Frey called the ICE version of what happened “garba...

Live updates: Frey disputes that ICE killed woman in self-defense www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Witnesses report shooting in south Minneapolis amid large federal law enforcement presence Witnesses reported a person was shot in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, amid a large presence of federal law enforcement officers. It was not immediately clear who may have been shot, or who m...

Witnesses report shooting in south Minneapolis amid large federal law enforcement presence www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Reshuffled Minnesota governor’s race after Walz exit will pose challenges for both parties The decision by Gov. Tim Walz to exit Minnesota’s race for governor will cause both parties to recalibrate their approaches as they choose their candidates in a suddenly open race.

Reshuffled Minnesota governor’s race after Walz exit will pose challenges for both parties www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Gov. Tim Walz abandons reelection campaign amid unrelenting fraud attention, Trump clashes Gov. Tim Walz was three months into a reelection campaign that has been plagued by criticism over his handling of fraud and political opposition stirred up by President Donald Trump.

Gov. Tim Walz abandons reelection campaign amid unrelenting fraud attention, Trump clashes www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Onset of Minnesota paid family and medical leave program viewed as new type of safety net Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program launches with the new year. Thousands are preparing to tap the benefits that will offer three-quarters of Minnesota workers more benefits than they ha...

Onset of Minnesota paid family and medical leave program viewed as new type of safety net www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Primaries to set special election ballots for Minnesota House seats in St. Paul, Woodbury The results set the ballots for a pair of January special general elections that will bring the Minnesota House back to its full capacity.

Two primaries take place on Tuesday that will set the stage for January elections to fill two legislative vacancies. Should DFLers win both, the House will be back to a 67-67 party tie when the Legislature resumes in February.

‘Reminded of what we’ve lost’: Hortman tribute will be reminder to deescalate Capitol rhetoric A display outside the Minnesota House of Representatives and at the late House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman’s desk cropped up in the wake of her assassination. Legislative leaders have decided it should...

‘Reminded of what we’ve lost’: Hortman tribute will be reminder to deescalate Capitol rhetoric www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

State economic forecast shows near-term surplus, long-term deficit that is smaller than before State finance officials say lawmakers will have about $2.5 billion at their disposal next year but also have to guard against a $3 billion shortfall years into the future.

State economic forecast shows near-term surplus, long-term deficit that is smaller than before www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Lawmakers react to Trump comments about Somali immigrants, ICE confirms arrests Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent disparaging statements about Somali immigrants, calling the remarks “vile, racist lies and slander towards our fellow Minne...

Lawmakers react to Trump comments about Somali immigrants, ICE confirms arrests www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Using anti-fraud powers, Minnesota DHS sets 2-year ban on new group home licenses Minnesota Human Services Department officials ordered the moratorium using a new state law and executive order aimed at fighting fraud in state programs. Disability services advocates say they were bl...

Using anti-fraud powers, Minnesota DHS sets 2-year ban on new group home licenses  www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Minnesota faces weight of Trump administration actions on multiple fronts At least four federal agencies moved in quick succession to investigate or threaten Minnesota, and an immigration action began as President Donald Trump and Gov. Tim Walz tangle over whose competency ...

Minnesota faces weight of Trump administration actions on multiple fronts www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Minn. Senate leader can’t imagine ‘26 session ending ‘without taking a vote’ on gun restrictions Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says the Senate is expected to take a vote on proposals to ban assault-style weapons and add firearm restrictions next year.

Minn. Senate leader can’t imagine ‘26 session ending ‘without taking a vote’ on gun restrictions www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...

Water pipes, fire stations, rec centers: Billions in project requests await Minnesota lawmakers Lawmakers are weighing which projects to include in a public construction project bill after receiving more than $6.5 billion in requests from cities, public colleges and state agencies.

Water pipes, fire stations, rec centers: Billions in project requests await Minnesota lawmakers www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...