Minnesota Today

Two former assistant U.S. attorneys who prosecuted fraud cases in Minnesota are now defending two independent Black journalists charged in connection with a demonstration at a St. Paul church. Activists disrupted services at Cities Church last month after learning that an ICE official is on the ministry team.

Bloomington police say a human trafficking sting operation has resulted in the arrest of 30 men. Police Chief Booker Hodges says law enforcement talked to over 330 people over two days in what they are calling “Operation Looking for Love… In All the Wrong Places.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is predicting the surge in federal immigration agents is nearing its conclusion. At an event this morning to highlight business hardships, Walz said he believes a bigger drawdown could be just days away.

And Minnesota business owners say even after ICE operations eventually end, recovery will take a long time.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A kidney transplant recipient arrested by immigration agents in Rochester last week finally is getting the medication he needs to keep his body from rejecting the organ. But his attorney says his client is not getting the correct dosages at the right times.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing new catch limits for native rough fish. For more than a century, native rough fish like redhorse, bowfin and buffalo were lumped in with invasive species like common carp — and not considered worthy of protection or management. If approved, the new rules would take effect for the 2027 fishing season.

Minnesota's legislative session starts next week, and Minneapolis representatives say they're looking to introduce legislation to push back against the federal immigration operation.

And students at Minneapolis Public Schools will have the option to take classes from home for another two months, amid the ongoing federal immigration operation.

Immigration agents arrested 38-year old Javier Abreu-Vasquez in Rochester Thursday, and he was flown to a Texas detention center Friday. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Friday that ICE was aware of the kidney transplant, the family gave authorities the medications and that ICE was working to ensure he gets them.

But the wife tells MPR News she spoke with Abreu-Vasquez by phone Sunday and he told her he still hasn't received the meds, and without them, he could eventually die.

A Minneapolis-based media company that makes podcasts about video games raised almost 280,000 dollars for Minnesotans scared to leave their homes due to the activities of ICE.

Some greater Minnesota counties that work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say they have no plans to change course.

The Department of Homeland Security has requested expedited deportation proceedings against the family of Liam Conejo Ramos.

This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  

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The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to their lawyer.

Minneapolis is allocating $1 million dollars in funding for emergency rental assistance as some families struggle to pay their bills amid the ongoing federal immigration operation.

An ice sculpture commissioned by Minnesota veterans was destroyed by a man pardoned for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Minneapolis will allocate a million dollars in funding for emergency rental assistance, as some residents say they need help amid the ongoing federal immigration operation.

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt says she is considering a change in policy at the county jail that would allow staff to notify federal immigration officials when someone they're seeking to detain is being released from custody.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

If the drawdown happened as announced Wednesday, there should be nearly a third fewer federal agents working in Minnesota Thursday. White House official Tom Homan announced a reduction of 700 agents from the federal immigration operation, saying it’s possible because of cooperation from state and local officials.

That still leaves about 2,000 federal agents in Minnesota, far above the usual number. Homan said further drawdowns will depend in part on less interference from protesters.

Greater Minnesota cities are saying they need more funding for water infrastructure projects and replacing lead service lines. Those are some of the issues they’ll be lobbying lawmakers about once the state’s legislative session starts in two weeks.

Attorneys representing refugees detained by ICE say the Department of Homeland Security is ignoring a court order and is asking the court to hold the agency in contempt.

The City of Anoka is opening its cannabis dispensary Thursday, making it the first municipal cannabis store to open in Minnesota.

700 federal agents will leave Minnesota today. That's according to Tom Homan -- the White House official in charge of the federal immigration enforcement surge here.

But critics say it’s not enough.