Minnesota Now

Tuesday morning, the Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants across the Twin Cities as part of what they say is an ongoing criminal investigation into fraud.

FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents were seen at several childcare centers and autism therapy providers throughout the morning.

MPR News’ Jon Collins checked on some locations in Minneapolis where state and federal agents have served the warrants, and talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about it.

The Fargo community is reeling from the loss of a lawmaker this weekend. Fargo Representative Liz Conmy died Saturday in a small plane crash. We'll hear about how they're remembering her life.

A new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports shows at least 50 people since 2022 have died in group homes across the state. These are places where Minnesotans with disabilities or mental health challenges can live. More on the findings.

And in Monticello, city leaders will decide tonight on potential new rules for data centers.

Plus, we'll hear about this year's Somali Day at the Capitol.

And the Timberwolves have a chance to move on in the playoffs tonight. We'll learn more about their big rivalry with the Denver Nuggets.

Our Minnesota Music Minute was “paper thin” by she’s green and our Song of the Day was “Basil Bouquet” by Local Sports.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are preparing for Game 5 of their playoff series Monday night. If the Wolves win, they advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. That’s after a decisive victory Saturday, when they beat Denver by 16 points. It came at a cost – injuries for two starters and fines for a member of each team.

Joining Minnesota Now to talk about this and other Minnesota sports stories, are our sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.

Community leaders and state leaders gathered in the Capitol rotunda Monday morning for the third annual Somali Day. It comes in the wake of “Operation Metro Surge,” which the Trump administration initially described as an effort focused specifically on deporting some Somali Minnesotans.

Fartun Weli is the CEO and founder of Isuroon, one of the organizations supporting the event. Weli spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini about the significance of the event this year.

Group homes give Minnesotans with disabilities or mental health diagnoses a place to live — with staff on site to keep them safe. But a new investigation from MPR News and APM Reports found a surprising number of people have been dying in Minnesota group homes.

The investigation discovered at least 50 deaths since late 2022. But state law allows only minor financial penalties against the group homes when they neglect their residents.

Reporter Ellie Roth joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the group home industry, how the state investigates neglect and an inside look on the reporting.

Lawmakers in Fargo are navigating the unexpected loss of a colleague over the weekend – North Dakota State Rep. Liz Conmy, D-Fargo, died on Saturday after a small plane crashed in Brooklyn Park, just after taking off from the Crystal airport. The pilot of the plane died in the crash, too.

North Dakota’s Democratic party is remembering her as a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency.

Conmy’s next door neighbor, Anastassiya Andrianova is running for North Dakota state House to represent a part of Fargo. She said she was encouraged to run by her friend Rep. Conmy. Andrianova joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to reflect on Conmy’s life and career.

This segment was produced by Ellen Finn. Read more reporting on this story from Harshawn Ratanpal.

The U.S. senate overturned a ban on mining in the Boundary Waters Thursday. It's a win for mining companies — and a loss for environmentalists who say mining will pollute the region. We heard from a Minnesotan in the mining industry.

And a New York Times reporter shared what she learned by talking with dozens of former and current DHS employees.

A St. Paul elementary school will soon launch a historic Afrocentric curriculum for its majority Black student body.

Plus, we heard from a documentary filmmaker following the Jacob Wetterling murder case — after it was closed — through the perspective of the Wetterling family.

And we spoke to a Duluth writer who wrote a book about the best hikes in the country.

The Minnesota Music Minute was “St. Paul” by Anchorhead.

A state Democratic lawmaker running for Congress apologized for placing a wager on himself that he'd win his party primary.

State Sen. Matt Klein of Mendota Heights said he wagered $50 in an online prediction market last October. The platform Kalshi flagged it as a political insider trading, penalized Klein $540 and banned him from the platform for five years.

This situation is one of the many ethical conversations around prediction markets. At the State Capitol there's a bill looking to ban them. Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement director Jon Anglin's job is to regulate this market.

He spoke to Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk about the challenges around regulating prediction markets.

Community members and advocates from Native communities across the state and country wrapped up a three-day conference on ending sexual violence Thursday.

The “Restoring the Sacred Trails of Our Grandmothers Conference” is hosted annually by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition.

Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the coalition, said this year's event comes at a particularly difficult time with funding cuts and heightened need.

It also takes place just as an audit into the police response and investigation of Allison Lussier’s death was released. Lussier was an Indigenous woman who was found dead in her home in 2024. Police reports show Lussier had experienced intimate partner violence.

The report is critical of the Minneapolis Police Department in its handling of Lussier’s case as well as the shooting of Davis Moturi, who was shot by a neighbor.

Matthews shared more about the gathering and her reaction to the findings of the report with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

If you’ve spent much time on a dance floor in Minneapolis over the past couple decades, chances are you’ve heard about the weekly dance night known as Transmission. Through its blend of new wave, indie rock, and alternative classics, it’s built a loyal following across generations.

This year marks 25 years of Transmission, which takes place every Wednesday night at the Uptown VFW. They're celebrating with a big party Saturday night at First Avenue.

The DJ who started it all is Jake Rudh, who hosts a show on The Current with the same name. He marked the milestone on Minnesota Now.