Minnesota Now

Students taking out loans or tapping into aid for college or graduate school will see major changes starting July 1.

It’s a result of major changes to social safety net programs, including the federal financial aid system, from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law in 2025.

Rachel Sherlock is the associate director of financial aid at Minnesota State University Mankato and she joined MPR News host Nina Moini to sort through the changes, like what students should know about new borrowing limits and what repayment options will look like going forward.

Chris Rubesch, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association, also joined host Nina Moini to talk about why he thinks these changes to the financial aid system could have a negative impact on the healthcare sector.

A tribal nation is one step closer to switching on a large solar project in southwestern Minnesota. The Upper Sioux Community installed rows of solar panels to power its casino in 2024. The project means the tribe plans to buy less electricity from its local utility, the Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association. The cooperative then threatened to cut off power to the casino.

A judge ruled in favor of the tribe in early June. Now, the dispute is up to state regulators to decide. A spokesperson with the Public Utilities Commission said a public comment period is open through July 22 and the commission is likely to take up the issue this fall.

Gabriel Chan is a University of Minnesota professor focused on energy policy. He joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the case fits into the landscape of efforts to transition to renewable electricity across the state.

A new progress report finds the Minneapolis Police Department is falling behind on court-enforced reforms. It’s the fourth report over two years from the independent evaluator, Effective Law Enforcement for All.

Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero helped create the court agreement and walked MPR News host through it.

ICE and Border Patrol are getting another massive budget boost after President Donald Trump signed off on a package last week directing $70 billion to these agencies over the next three years. We'll get a break down on plans for this money.

A look inside a new clinic in Minneapolis trying to create an alternative, healing-centered response to sexual assault.

Plus, a Minneapolis diner that shifted to a fully donation-based model during the federal surge this winter is continuing to operate under this unconventional approach. We'll check in with the owner of Post Modern Times about why he hasn't put prices back on the menu.

And more Minnesota students are getting a chance to get outdoors thanks to some new state funding.

And another former Minnesota athlete has gone on to win a championship after leaving the state.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Down Home Blues” by Selby Ave Brass Band and our Song of the Day was “Just Go Home” by Nephuncle.

It was an incredibly busy weekend for sports. The NBA and NHL have their 2026 champions. The Twins have a series win. And the Lynx had fans on the edge of their seats with a close loss to the Aces.

Minnesota Now sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined the program with the latest sports headlines and a remembrance of legendary colleague Larry Fitzgerald Sr.

Many survivors of sexual violence receive what’s called a sexual assault forensic exam to collect evidence for law enforcement. These exams can take hours and they usually happen in an emergency room... which can be a harsh environment to spend the hours after a traumatic experience. A new clinic in Minneapolis will be the first in the Twin Cities to provide an alternative, with more focus on healing and follow-up treatment.

Sahan Journal recently reported on the effort by Southside Community Health Services. And the organization’s medical director Sheila Kennedy joined Minnesota Now to talk about it.

Earlier this year, a longtime south Minneapolis restaurant stopped putting prices on its menu.

The diner formerly known as Modern Times rebranded itself as Post Modern Times and shifted to a donation-based model during the Minnesota ICE surge. Owner Dylan Alverson said he wanted to create a place where anyone could get a meal, regardless of their ability to pay. Months later, the restaurant is still operating on donations and drawing national attention for its unconventional approach.

Dylan Alverson, owner of Post Modern Times in Minneapolis, spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about why he’s sticking with the approach and how he’s getting neighborhood input.

President Donald Trump has signed off on a massive increase in funding for U.S. immigration enforcement. The legislation, called the Secure America Act, was approved by Congress last week, after a standoff between lawmakers. Democrats said they didn’t want to give more funding to the Department of Homeland Security after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this winter.

But those negotiations fell apart, and now $70 billion will go to ICE and Border Patrol. Supporters say the investment will help the federal government enforce immigration laws and secure the border. Critics argue it gives too much power to the agency and not enough oversight.

Heidi Altman is vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center. She joined Minnesota Now to talk about the bill and her concerns about what was left out.

We’re marking one year since the tragic killings of DFL state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

A look at their legacy and how DFL state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife — who were injured in the attack — are recovering.

We'll also talk another lawmaker who was targeted that night, state Rep. Kristin Bahner, on how she’s grappling with safety and running for office.

Then, the man who allegedly carried out the attacks pleaded guilty Thursday morning. We’ll have the latest on the case.

And we'll talk to two experts studying an uptick in political violence.

Plus, the Hortmans’ children share one of their parents’ favorite songs.

And we'll meet some puppies who are training to be service dogs in the Hortmans’ honor.

It’s been one year since the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever, Gilbert.

Gilbert started out as a service dog in training through Helping Paws, the Eden Prairie nonprofit that trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, veterans and first responders living with PTSD. But Gilbert was ultimately deemed a little too friendly for the job, and the Hortmans adopted him as their own.

In the months following their deaths, thousands of people donated to Helping Paws in their memory. That support helped create the Hortman Heroes Fund, which will train future service dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD.

MPR News host Nina Moini got a tour of the Helping Paws facility from executive director Alyssa Golob.