Stories from March 25, 2025

Walz announces remote work changes for Minnesota state agency employees
State agency employees will have to work in-person for at least 50 percent of scheduled workdays starting June 1. The policy change provides an exemption for employees who live more than 75 miles away from their primary work location.
Legislator says it's 'bad timing' for $397 million update to Xcel Energy Center
State Sen. Sandy Pappas, who represents downtown St. Paul and is the chair of the Capital Investment Committee, heard Mayor Melvin Carter lawmakers to pay for updates to the Xcel Energy Center, Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the RiverCentre Tuesday afternoon.
U of M: Medical school class of 2025 could help shore up primary care gaps
On Friday, fourth-year medical school students across the country found out where they’ll be spending the next 3-7 years of their careers simultaneously. Of the 217 U of M near-graduates, 46 percent matched in a Minnesota residency program; 51 percent matched in primary care.
U.S. says it brokered safe shipping in the Black Sea in talks with Ukraine and Russia
The United States says an agreement has been reached to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea as it wrapped up three days of talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia.
Early voting and spending surge in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that has drawn national attention
Turnout during the first week of early voting ahead of Wisconsin’s pivotal Supreme Court race is far exceeding levels from another high-stakes election just two years ago.
Intelligence leaders: We didn’t share classified information in Signal chat group
Some of the nation’s top intelligence officials will appear before Congress in a pair of hearings this week. Two were participants in a widely criticized war plans group chat on Signal.
Trump administration cancels at least 68 grants focused on LGBTQ health questions
A surge of grant cancellations hit researchers focused on the health of gay, lesbian and transgender people last week, as the Trump administration continues to target what it describes as ideologically driven science.
Minnesota, 20 other states file motion to stop U.S. Department of Education closure
The move is part of a lawsuit with 20 other attorneys general filed after President Donald Trump announced plans to reduce the department’s workforce by 50 percent. Ellison says the court order is an attempt to stop mass layoffs and transfer of services at the education department.
Jake Oettinger stops 32 shots, Stars score twice in a minute to beat Wild 3-0
Jake Oettinger shut out his home-state team stopping 32 shots, Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene scored 58 seconds apart late in the second period and the Dallas Stars beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Monday night. 
Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin lead 3-point flurry to help Pacers beat Timberwolves 119-103
Tyrese Haliburton finished with 24 points and 11 assists, and Obi Toppin made six 3-pointers and added 20 points to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-103.
The inside story of how a journalist was sent White House war plans
Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, said he was mistakenly added to a group chat with U.S. national security leaders about imminent military strikes on Yemen.
USC star JuJu Watkins carried off the court as NCAA tournament reaches the Sweet 16
Southern California All-American star JuJu Watkins crashed to the floor Monday night against Mississippi State and grabbed her knee. She had to be carried off the floor at the USC Galen Center.
Democrats in Trump-won districts call on party to rebrand
Democrats need to flip three seats to take back the House next year — and the path to a majority likely runs through districts President Trump carried. Democrats who won alongside Trump offer their prescription for a party they say needs to make big changes.
A man who pleaded guilty to murder and assault in a 2023 mass shooting at a Minneapolis punk show is headed to prison. And the American Civil Liberties Union is suing St. Francis Public Schools for using a third-party website called Book Looks to ban books. 
Oscar-winning Palestinian director attacked by Israeli settlers, detained by army
Israeli settlers beat up Hamdan Ballal, one of the Palestinian co-directors of the documentary film “No Other Land,” in the occupied West Bank, according to witnesses. He was then detained by the Israeli military.
Punk show mass shooting victims react as teen gets 23 years
A judge Monday gave 18-year-old Dominic Burris a 23-year sentence for the 2023 shooting on the city’s south side. The house was not only a residence for musicians but also an intimate performance venue known as Nudieland — a cornerstone of the Minneapolis punk scene.