Minnesota Now

The Seattle Seahawks are this year’s Super Bowl champions after beating the New England Patriots 29-13. Leading the way for the Seahawks was none other than former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who left only a year ago.

Minnesota Now sports contributors, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, spoke more about the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and more.

It's been more than two months since a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in Minnesota. And while Department of Homeland Security said that it removed about 700 agents from the 3,000 that were in the state last week, some Minneapolis City Council members said they have seen no change in ICE action on the ground.

One of those city council members is Jason Chavez, who spoke with host Nina Moini about what he’s seeing and hearing.

The presence of federal immigration agents in Minnesota has upended the restaurant industry. Some restaurants have been forced to close their doors, because immigrant staff are too scared to go to work. And some are not getting as much business due to people being afraid to leave their homes.

So the Minneapolis Foundation and food journalist Stephanie March have created The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund, to help support the industry. March joined Minnesota Now to talk about the challenges facing the restaurant industry.

For the first time, Hennepin County sheriff Dawanna Witt spoke about her cooperation with ICE. Sheriff Witt said she has had “healthy” conversations with Tom Homan, the White House official in charge of the Minnesota immigration enforcement surge. Homan has said that federal officials could reduce the number of agents if jails, like Hennepin County, would cooperate and hand over inmates.

NPR’s Meg Anderson spoke with Sheriff Witt about her cooperation and abiding by state law.

It’s a big weekend for sports; Super Bowl 60 is this Sunday in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the same time, in Italy, the Winter Olympics are kicking off, with dozens of Minnesotans competing. Back at home, Minnesota men’s basketball teams have taken two wins.

MPR News host Kelly Gordon spoke with sports contributors Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson to talk about more about it.

Border Czar Tom Homan said more agents will leave if county jails cooperate. We heard from Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt who said she is doing her part. Plus, hear what Minnesotans think about the announcement of 700 ICE agents leaving the state.

The Minneapolis City Council is voting on whether the city will support funding rental assistance for people whose income has been hurt by ICE presence in the state. We get more on that.

A Somali American artist will share her perspective on making art during this tumultuous time in Minnesota. And our sports contributors are back — with a Minnesota perspective on the upcoming Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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This week is five years since the military in Myanmar seized control in a coup that forced many in the country to flee political repression and violence. Some came to Minnesota to join a large diaspora that was already here.

More than 20 thousand people from Myanmar live in the state, which is home to the United States’ largest population of Karen people, an ethnic minority group from Myanmar. The Karen community includes U.S. citizens, refugees and asylum seekers.

Recently, federal immigration activities have caused fear and uncertainty among Karen people in Minnesota. That includes the fear of being sent back to Myanmar.

MPR News host Kelly Gordon talked with two leaders of The Urban Village, a St. Paul nonprofit that works with youth in the Myanmar diaspora. Jesse Phenow is the group’s co-director and Eh Ler Tha is director of special projects and media.

The Minneapolis City Council passed a proposal to provide rental assistance to people impacted by the surge of federal agents. Proponents say too many residents face eviction and other hardships because they feel like they can’t leave their homes and work their jobs.

Cari Spencer watched the council’s discussion about the proposal and joined MPR News guest host Kelly Gordon.

Minnesotans are experiencing the ICE surge in the state in many ways. One Minneapolis artist took the spotlight thrust on Minnesota’s Somali American community from President Trump as an opportunity to share what it is to be a part of that community.

MPR News host Kelly Gordon spoke with Ifrah Mansour to explain her perspective on the last few months and how her community is standing strong.

Border Czar Tom Homan said 700 agents will be leaving Minnesota because the federal government is getting more cooperation. We explain. And some Minnesota school districts are suing DHS to prevent ICE from being on or near schools.

A coalition of suburban mayors are banding together amid the ongoing immigration operation. We talked to one of those mayors, from St. Louis Park.

Plus, Children's Minnesota will pause some gender-affirming care for children. We looked at the impact.

Thousands of Minnesotans energized by the political moment turned out for precinct caucuses last night. We get a report from our political team.

And highs near 40? Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner has the forecast.

Our Music Minutes was “Apologies” by Willie Wonka and our Song of the Day was “Your Eyes” by Dina Ögon.