Stories from March 26, 2025

The state of Minnesota stands to lose millions in COVID-19 funding after the federal government announced Tuesday it would terminate grants to local and state governments. A new environmental center opened Tuesday in Ramsey County. And a board that oversees economic development on the Iron Range has selected a new chair.
Minnesota Supreme Court allows recently incarcerated to serve on juries
Minnesotans who are on probation or supervised release for felony convictions will soon be allowed to serve on juries, following a recent decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The move follows a 2023 state law that allows people recently freed from prison to vote, even if they are not finished with the supervised release portions of their sentences.
Out to Lunch: Lindsay Whalen is ready to have joy back in basketball
Lindsay Whalen was off the court for 18 months after her departure as head coach of the Gopher's Women's basketball team. When she went out to lunch with MPR News host Nina Moini, Whalen said it was a much-needed break, but that she's excited to be part of a team again.
What to know now about measles in Minnesota after one case confirmed in state resident
A person not infectious in Minnesota may have exposed people while traveling in Washington, D.C. The state health department says the person was vaccinated but still advises vaccines protect most people from measles.
Trump will announce auto tariffs at a White House news conference
President Donald Trump will announce tariffs on auto imports, a move the White Houses claims would foster domestic manufacturing that could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains.
Stunning end to a long career: North Minneapolis charter school names interim leader after firing founder
Harvest Best founder Eric Mahmoud was seen as a visionary for helping Black students at the north Minneapolis school. Firing him was “not a decision that came easily,” a board member says. The board named an interim leader this week.
What’s next for sluggish Minnesota mail after USPS postmaster general’s resignation?
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Wednesday to talk about the future of USPS following Louis DeJoy’s departure and under the Trump administration.
Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments
Federal health officials said Tuesday they are pulling back $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funds for local public health departments and other health organizations throughout the nation. Minnesota stands to lose $226 million.
Dollar Tree sells Family Dollar to private equity firms after a decade of trying to find a fit
Dollar Tree is selling Family Dollar to a pair of private equity firms in a deal worth approximately $1 billion after unsuccessfully trying to incorporate it into its business for a decade.
Niko Medved was born into a family of Gophers basketball fans. Now he’s their head coach
The gravitation toward the Gophers for Niko Medved began even before he was born. That's when his father bought the season tickets that would soon spark his young son’s passion for college basketball.
Vice President Vance is going to Greenland this week. The itinerary has shifted
Second lady Usha Vance announced on Sunday that she would visit Greenland and watch the territory’s famed dogsled race. But now the vice president is joining, and they’ll go to a U.S. base instead.
Amtrak suspends Borealis passenger rail service, citing corrosion issues on cars
Amtrak's Borealis passenger rail service between St. Paul and Chicago was canceled on Wednesday, after Amtrak found a problem with the rail cars. Service is being replaced by buses.
DOGE says it needs to know the government’s most sensitive data, but can’t say why
DOGE staffers have skirted privacy laws, training and security protocols to gain virtually unfettered access to financial and personal information stored in siloed government databases.
Kennedy Center lays off Social Impact employees
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has dissolved its Social Impact division, which partnered with local organizations to bring in diverse artists and audiences.
Minnesota Republicans look to DOGE model for state government efficiency commission
The commission would consist of a panel of six citizens who would investigate fraud in state agencies and potential conflicts of interest in the Legislature. Three members would be appointed by Republicans and three by Democrats.
Pilot and 2 children survive a night on airplane wing after crashing into Alaska lake
A pilot and two girls survived on the wing of a plane for about 12 hours after it crashed and was partially submerged in an icy Alaska lake, then were rescued after being spotted by a good Samaritan.
Gov. Tim Walz has set a special election for April 29 to fill an open Senate seat in northern Minnesota formerly held by Justin Eichorn. And Minneapolis police say four teens are likely responsible for a string of more than a dozen armed robberies this week.
Special ed faces cuts as Minneapolis schools struggle to close $75M budget gap
District leaders had previously signaled school nutrition and special education would be affected by the cuts. The board’s finance committee Tuesday night said the total number of position cuts hasn’t been finalized. Protesters at the meeting pushed back on proposed cuts.
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