Leaders in the Minnesota House are holding separate news conferences Thursday to announce a joint deal to reboot a chamber stalled since mid-January.

Gov. Tim Walz has scheduled a special election for a Minnesota House vacancy for March 11. It's the seat that will determine whether the House is tied 67 to 67 or if Republicans lock in a majority that allows them to pass bills on their own.

This is an MPR News morning update hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

$25 million in outside spending flowed into races for the Minnesota Legislature in 2024. Groups that operate independently from candidates funneled $25.3 million into races for 134 House seats and one Senate seat, according to an MPR News analysis of campaign reports.

And Republican Congressman Pete Stauber has reintroduced legislation that could pave the way for copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

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

The University of Minnesota is under federal investigation over allegations of antisemitism harassment.  On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would be opening investigations into five colleges including the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

Richfield-based Best Buy is assessing the potential effects of President Trump's tariffs on some of the nation's key trade partners. Best Buy CEO Corie Barry says getting vendors to move production away from China and diversify supply chains will take time.

Republicans in the Minnesota House are pushing recall petitions for all 66 Democrats in the chamber. Party leaders say they expect to have petitions signed and submitted to the Secretary of State's office next week — the first step in a lengthy process.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing says many people in the state's agriculture industry are relieved that President Donald Trump has paused his plan to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Those tariffs -- and any retaliatory trade measures -- could have had a major effect on Minnesota farmers.

And the University of Minnesota is among five colleges under federal investigation for reports of widespread antisemitism.

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

The Minnesota Senate is back to a 34-33 split after a Democrat was sworn into office Monday. 

Some Minnesota businesses — including restaurants — were closed Monday in support of a nationwide movement aimed at demonstrating the importance of immigration.  Organizers called it A Day Without Immigrants.

And a newly reopened child care in Crystal, Minn., is trying to help families in child care deserts as more parents head back into the office.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

A Minneapolis state senator was sworn into office today bringing the chamber to a one-vote advantage for Democrats.

That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Jury selection is underway Monday in the second trial of people charged in an alleged $250 million fraud scheme.

President Donald Trump's executive order slapping tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China goes into effect Tuesday.  Duties on goods imported from Canada and Mexico will be 25 percent, except for a 10 percent rate on Canadian energy, including oil, natural gas and electricity. 

And the University of Minnesota Law School is pausing its search for a new assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

As the impasse in the Minnesota House drags on, Republicans say they'll up the pressure on Democrats, who have so far boycotted the session.

It's shaping up to be a snowy weekend across the northern half of Minnesota, especially along the North Shore.

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

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin is viewed as one of the top contenders to lead the national Democratic Party and will face a key test tomorrow. 

Republicans have been unable to conduct business in the Minnesota House during a DFL boycott of the legislative session. And yesterday, they filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking to move a stalled session forward. 

The annual City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival takes place this weekend at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.  Organizers make their own snow for the event.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minneapolis City Council today approved a $600,000 lawsuit settlement with a woman who claims then-police officer Derek Chauvin used excessive force against her in 2020.

And the Trump administration has started making changes to immigration policies, but for now, one program remains unaffected. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific requirements to bring migrant workers to the country temporarily to fill agricultural jobs.

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