Minnesota Today

The executive order signed by President Donald Trump suspending the Refugee Admissions Program goes into effect Monday. Trump says communities are struggling to accommodate large numbers of new migrants and refugees. Arrive Ministries' Ruth LePage says that agency was expecting to resettle 550 refugees in Minnesota this year.

The third week of the state legislative session opens like the prior two weeks, without Democrats in the Minnesota House. DFLers are boycotting the session so far, over a lack of a power sharing agreement.  Republicans have a one seat majority in the chamber pending a special election.

Twin Cities Pride, Minnesota’s second largest festival, is removing Target from its June LGBTQ+ celebration. Andi Otto, Twin Cities Pride executive director, says the decision was made after the Minneapolis-based retailer announced on Friday it was dropping its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Minnesota lawmakers hit a reset after Supreme Court ruling, but will that break the stalemate?

Target gets booted from Twin Cities Pride festival after rolling back DEI efforts

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The Minnesota Supreme Court has weighed in on the standoff in the state House. Justices say 68 members are needed to conduct business — one more than Republicans have on their own.

But the court declined to order a specific action beyond that, saying they assume the parties can work it out on their own with the quorum matter clarified.

And a Republican candidate who narrowly lost a race for the Minnesota House won't ask the Supreme Court to step in.

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

A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Minnesota was one of several states filing suit to block the order.

The Minneapolis VA is expected to resume hiring soon, after it rescinded over 80 job offers this week. President Trump had issued an executive order on Monday, halting the hiring of federal workers. Ruark Hotopp leads the federal worker union representing Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Iowa. He says the ambiguity around the hiring freeze was confusing and demoralizing for staff at the Minneapolis VA.

Canadian authorities have added regular Black Hawk helicopter flights to security measures along the US-Manitoba border. That includes stretches of the border Canada shares with Minnesota and North Dakota. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police says the flights will target human smuggling across the border and the movement of illegal drugs.

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

Minnesota's Supreme Court parsed constitutional wording about what makes up the Minnesota House as justices sorted today through an ongoing power struggle.

The definition is important as the high court decides how far to delve into a standoff that has the House operating with only one party present. The crux of the case is whether 67 members is sufficient to do anything or if 68 is needed for a quorum.

And Minnesota Republicans they want to scale back some sick time protections passed by Democrats in prior years.

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

The Minnesota Supreme Court Thursday hears arguments on whether Republicans are conducting lawful proceedings in the state House.

The anti-abortion group Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life held its annual "March for Life" at the State Capitol yesterday.  The group has denounced the rise in abortions in the state.

And the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says it will not file charges against three Minneapolis police officers who fatally shot a man last June. County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the decision in the shooting of 39-year-old Michael Warren Ristow, who was shot police near the intersection of 33rd Street and Hiawatha Avenue.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

5 key questions as Minnesota Supreme Court weighs who controls the House

Officers won't face charges in fatal police shooting in Minneapolis

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Republicans in the Minnesota House are looking to roll back taxes and fees approved when Democrats had complete control of the Legislature. Republicans are holding hearings in the House while their Democratic counterparts are boycotting over a power dispute.

And Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing to block President Donald Trump's order to end birthright citizenship.

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

Minnesota has joined a multi-state legal challenge to President Donald Trump's executive order targeting birthright citizenship. Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed the state is part of a coalition of 18 states arguing the order is unconstitutional.

Also on the podcast this morning, local refugee resettlement agencies have expressed significant concern about the potential disruption to family reunification efforts. The suspension of resettlement programs could create substantial barriers for families seeking to reunite in Minnesota.

And a scheduled trial for two Minnesota men charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots did not proceed as planned. President Trump's decision to grant clemency to these defendants, along with approximately 1,600 others, effectively halted the legal proceedings. The developments underscore ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding immigration policy and the aftermath of the Jan. 6 events.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Minnesota and other states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship

Minnesotans among those pardoned for Jan. 6 riots on President Trump’s first day

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A trial that had been underway for two Minnesota men charged in the January 6 attack did not resume as scheduled this morning after President Donald Trump granted clemency to them and nearly 1,600 other defendants.

And House Republicans have filed a response to lawsuits before the Minnesota Supreme Court over a power struggle in the Legislature.

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

We started the day with extreme cold warnings and many school districts canceling or delaying classes. Anoka-Hennepin, Duluth, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul and Winona all closed Tuesday.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar called to order the inauguration of President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday. Klobuchar is chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. She noted how the peaceful transfer of power lies at the heart of what soon will be 250 years of American democracy.

And Native American activist Leonard Peltier was granted clemency Monday by former President Joe Biden in one of his final acts before leaving office. 

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Extreme cold leads to school delays, cancellations Tuesday across Minnesota

Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier granted clemency by President Biden

Listen: Sen. Amy Klobuchar on leading Inauguration Day proceedings

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The Minneapolis police union said it wants a voice in the latest MPD reform plan.

Our brief January thaw is coming to a crashing halt today, as strong northwest winds bring a blast of arctic air to Minnesota.

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