Stories from January 30, 2025

Report: Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions bounced back after pandemic, still below 2019 level
Transportation remains the state’s largest source of greenhouse gases, contributing nearly 30 percent of emissions. It’s not clear whether Minnesota is on track to meet its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2025, or reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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.
DEI drops and House drama won't stop Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol
Activist Sheletta Brundidge says the third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day, which is scheduled for Monday, will go off without a hitch, despite being unexpectedly short of its $25,000 price tag.
Minneapolis to charge fees for off-duty police work
The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to charge a fee when officers take after-hours gigs. Minneapolis police officers can use their city-issued gear while working security jobs when they’re off-duty. The city wants to recoup some of the equipment costs.
Minneapolis agrees to pay $600K to settle another Chauvin lawsuit
The City Council voted Thursday to approve a $600,000 settlement in the case of a woman who accused then-officer Derek Chauvin of excessive force in 2020, just a few months before he would murder George Floyd.
Minnesota Community Health Centers to consider reducing services, closing clinics amid federal funding concerns
Community Health Centers, which were established during the Civil Rights Movement to support people without the money to pay for medical services, use federal money to operate and could be affected by some of the Trump administration’s executive orders.
‘Everyone knows everyone’: Minnesota figure skating community reacts to Washington plane crash
The figure skating community in Minnesota and across the country was reeling Thursday, in the wake of Wednesday night’s plane crash in Washington, D.C.
Trump blames diversity hiring as probe into deadly D.C. plane crash begins
As the nation reeled from the deadliest American aviation disaster in more than two decades, President Donald Trump on Thursday baselessly blamed diversity initiatives for undermining air safety and questioned the actions of a U.S. Army helicopter pilot involved in the midair collision with a commercial airliner.
The effects of the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back DEI initiatives
MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the steps President Donald Trump has taken to dismantle the federal government’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs and how some private companies have responded.
2 teens from a Boston skating club, their mothers and coaches among passengers on downed flight
Passengers aboard the American Airlines flight that collided with an Army helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River included teen figure skaters returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and their Russian coaches.
New results from the Nation’s report card show Minnesota students are still struggling in math and reading after the pandemic. Republicans in the Minnesota House are supporting a legislative package to strengthen public safety measures in the state.
Anthony Edwards scores 33 points as Timberwolves beat Suns 121-113 for 4th straight win
Anthony Edwards scored 33 points, Julius Randle added 28 and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Phoenix Suns 121-113 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight victory.
Hamas frees 8 more hostages. Israel begins releasing Palestinian prisoners after delay
Hamas-led militants have freed eight hostages as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. But the chaotic handover of some of the captives drew an angry protest from Israel.
Trans community fears Trump's actions will upend legal precedent on prison protections
One of President Trump's first executive orders impacts transgender inmates incarcerated in federal facilities. It's just one in a series of actions signed by Trump that target the trans community.
Trump's pick for intel chief, Tulsi Gabbard, faces her confirmation hearing
Among the topics likely to come up at the hearing: her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, her friendly positions toward Russia and her push to drop charges against Edward Snowden.
Criminal records of Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump include rape, domestic violence
Dozens of Jan. 6 defendants who received pardons from President Donald Trump had past criminal convictions for charges including rape, manslaughter, domestic violence and drug trafficking.
Despite Trump immigration policy changes, experts say the H-2A program is on solid footing
The Trump administration has started its overhaul of existing immigration policy. However, one program that allows migrant agricultural workers to work temporarily is for now, unaffected. 
Trump says U.S. will send 'worst criminal illegal aliens' to Guantánamo Bay
The president says up to 30,000 criminal migrants deported from the United States could be housed at the facility in Cuba, but it wasn't immediately clear how the plan would be implemented.
Midair collision kills 67 people in the deadliest U.S. air disaster in almost a quarter century
A midair collision between an Army helicopter and a jetliner killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, officials said Thursday, as they scrutinized the actions of the military pilot in the country's deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century.