Stories from January 6, 2025

The state Republican Party has filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court that aims to halt a special election for a pivotal House seat. The lawsuit is over the timing of the late-January special election in the Roseville area. Delaying the election could keep Republicans in power in the House chamber later into the 2025 legislative session. The Minneapolis City Council this afternoon signed off on a long-awaited federal consent decree that mandates significant changes to the Minneapolis police department.
Hamas and Israel are negotiating the release of 34 hostages from Gaza
The deal would secure release of a third of the approximately 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, including two dual U.S.-Israeli nationals. In return, Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners.
Vikings blink, Gophers win big at Mayo Bowl and other Minnesota sports news
In the highly anticipated match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions Sunday night, the Vikings blinked. Minnesota lost 31-9 and now goes into the playoffs as the number five seed, out of seven.
Minneapolis City Council near agreement on federal oversight of police department
The Minneapolis City Council is in a closed door session Monday to discuss a new agreement with federal officials which would mandate reforms to the city’s police department.
Sen. Klobuchar reflects on Jan. 6 insurrection and new process for certifying presidential win
Sen. Amy Klobuchar helped create a new process for counting electoral votes on Jan. 6. She spoke with MPR News host Nina Moini ahead of the afternoon’s certification about what the day will look like.
The power of mentoring
January is national Mentoring Month. Coming up at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how a mentor can support, guide and open opportunities for people of all ages.
At least 4 people are dead as snowstorm creates dangerous travel conditions across Midwest, Mid-Atlantic
Dozens of people have also been injured in a major winter storm spanning from Ohio to Washington, D.C. Up to a foot of snow is expected in some areas.
Canada’s Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader, spelling end to time in power
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation in the face of rising discontent over his leadership, and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister signaled growing turmoil within his government. 
Nippon, U.S. Steel file suit after Biden administration blocks $15 billion deal
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel are filing a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s decision to block a proposed nearly $15 billion deal for Nippon to acquire Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel.
The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions last night 31-9. And the Minneapolis City Council on Monday hears details of a tentative agreement between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice over possible federal court oversight of its police department. 
Biden bans new offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters
President Joe Biden is moving to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, an effort to block possible action by the incoming Trump administration to expand offshore drilling.
Dr. Rachel Levine focused on her job at HHS. Still, anti-trans politics followed her
Dr. Rachel Levine is the highest ranking, out transgender person ever to serve in the federal government. Her tenure at HHS ran concurrent with an explosion in state legislation targeting transgender people.
More Minnesota kids get exempted from required vaccinations. Here’s what’s happening
Nonmedical exemptions for required childhood vaccinations have risen steadily since 2020. Medical professionals say exemption counts are near the point where Minnesotans should be extremely concerned, especially when it comes to schools.
Minneapolis City Council approves agreement on federal oversight of police
Following the vote, the U.S. Department of Justice requested a judge approve the agreement to require the MPD make dozens of changes to address allegations of discrimination and use of excessive force.
‘I wanted to do something cool’: Meet the man who made the Minnesota-shaped forest
Years before Google Earth, DNR forester Bill Lockner used hand tools and calculated all the angles and distances to etch Minnesota’s shape into a stretch of forest in Lake of the Woods County. He doesn’t talk about it much, but he spoke recently with MPR News.