Stories from March 11, 2025

U of M professor worries proposed policy banning political statements goes too far
Eric Schwartz, chair of the Humphrey School's global policy area, believes a resolution barring “institutional statements addressing matters of public concern or public interest” could be harmful.
Judge orders alcohol treatment, testing for Feeding Our Future bribe courier charged with DWI
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a woman awaiting sentencing for trying to bribe a juror in the first Feeding Our Future trial to undergo regular alcohol testing after she was charged with drunk driving.
U of M says it's committed to combating antisemitism amid federal probes
The University of Minnesota says it’s working to address antisemitism on campus, amid federal investigations spurred by protests against Israel. Recent federal actions are raising alarms for pro-Palestinian and civil rights advocates, who say it’s a violation of free speech.
U.S. Education Department says it is cutting nearly half of all staff
According to the department, more than 1,300 positions will be cut as a result of this reduction in force. Roughly another 600 employees have accepted voluntary resignations or retired.
Todo lo que necesita saber del pronóstico económico de Minnesota
Funcionarios financieros informaron un empeoramiento del panorama presupuestario de Minnesota en el corto plazo y largo plazo, diciendo que un pequeño colchón fiscal se había reducido y que un déficit potencial futuro había crecido.
Restaurants scramble for solution to record egg prices
Several Twin Cities restaurants have added temporary egg surcharges in response to sky high prices. Marty's Deli in northeast Minneapolis shared they are adding one dollar to all egg sandwiches.
'There's a serious safety issue,' investigators say following DCA midair collision
The January midair collision with the Army helicopter happened as the American Airlines jet was about to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 67 people on both aircraft died.
Meteorologist-turned-lawmaker advocates for life-saving supplemental weather radar
DFL state Sen. Robert Kupec, who represents the region including Moorhead and Detroit Lakes, joined Cathy Wurzer on Tuesday’s Morning Edition to explain why he thinks the state should invest more than $3 million over the next two fiscal years in the project.
Hermantown mobile home park in disrepair may close, putting residents at risk of homelessness
A mobile home park in Hermantown is in the midst of a legal dispute that's pushing its residents toward homelessness. Duluth News Tribune reporter Peter Passi has been following the story and joined Minnesota Now to explain more.
House GOP passes spending bill, sending plan to avert government shutdown to Senate
The bill puts significant pressure on Democrats in the Senate, whose votes will be needed in order to avoid a shutdown. The federal government runs out of money at the end of the day on Friday.
The U.S. will resume Ukraine military aid and intelligence, as Kyiv approves ceasefire
The United States said it will resume sending military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, as Ukraine agreed to a Trump administration proposal for a monthlong ceasefire.
Trump halts doubling of tariffs on Canadian metals after Ontario suspends electricity price hikes
The White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the U.S. president pulled back on his doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs, even as the federal government still plans to place a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports starting Wednesday.
The latest: Trump says he'll double planned tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel
U.S. President Donald Trump says he’ll double planned tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, sticking with a trade war despite Monday’s stock market drop. That and more of the latest with the Trump administration.
Vikings agree to terms with veteran DT Jonathan Allen, 2-time Pro Bowl pick cut by Commanders
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a contract with former Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to bulk up the backbone of their front with a two-time Pro Bowl pick who was released last week for salary cap savings. 
City crews have begun removing the ‘Black Lives Matter’ street mural in D.C.
In June 2020, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” had been painted on the pavement by the city in uppercase, yellow letters, covering two blocks on 16th Street about a quarter mile from the White House.
A new storm could spawn tornadoes in the South and whip up a blizzard in northern states
As near temperatures climbed to near records in parts of the central United States, a potent storm system was setting up to wallop the nation later. It's expected to pour heavy rain on western states later this week before rumbling into the central United States.
Supreme Court rejects Republican-led effort to halt climate change lawsuits in Democratic-led states
The Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general in 19 states aimed at blocking climate change suits against the oil and gas industry from Democratic-led states, including Minnesota.
Former NFL offensive lineman turned broadcaster Craig Wolfley dies at 66
Craig Wolfley, a former NFL offensive lineman whose 12-year career included playing for Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh and for Minnesota before becoming a fixture on the Steelers radio broadcast team, has died. He was 66.
Getting to Green: Can Minnesota get to carbon-free energy?
To slow a warming climate, Minnesotans would need to heat homes, travel and power factories without burning fossil fuels. MPR News correspondents Dan Kraker and Kirsti Marohn talk about what the shift to green power could look like under President Donald Trump.
Trump administration halts funding for two cybersecurity efforts, including one for elections
The Trump administration has cut millions of dollars in federal funding from two cybersecurity initiatives, including one dedicated to helping state and local election officials.
Former Philippine leader Duterte arrested on an ICC warrant over drug killings
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday on order of the International Criminal Court in connection with a case of crime against humanity, the Philippine government said.
Pope Francis follows Vatican spiritual retreat as doctors say he’s no longer in imminent danger
Pope Francis has participated remotely in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat after getting good news from his doctors. They upgraded his prognosis and say he is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of pneumonia.
Vikings agree to deals with C Ryan Kelly, CB Isaiah Rodgers and bring back CB Byron Murphy
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with center Ryan Kelly and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. The agreements were confirmed to The Associated Press by people with knowledge of the deals on condition of anonymity because they can't be finalized until the signing period begins Wednesday. 
The government already knows a lot about you. DOGE is trying to access all of it
Agencies from Social Security to the IRS store sensitive data on millions of Americans. Here’s what the government knows about us — and what’s at risk as DOGE seeks access to the data.
How reliable is the government’s economic data? Under Trump, there are real concerns
The disbanding of committees that consulted on government data — and comments from a senior official about changing how GDP is calculated — are raising alarm about the reliability of government data.
The Canadian province of Ontario has imposed a 25 percent tariff on power sent to Minnesota, Michigan and New York. And Tuesday is Township Day in Minnesota — it’s the day when annual meetings are held in nearly 1,800 townships across the state.
Hospitality industry wants fewer regulations from Minnesota Legislature this session
Hospitality Minnesota says the industry is struggling. A new report from Hospitality Minnesota ranks Minnesota last in the Midwest for hotel occupancy rate recovery since the pandemic.
Parting Thoughts: ‘42nd mom’ adopted Vietnam soldiers and their dogs
In this edition of Parting Thoughts, we remember Jackie McIntyre, who boosted the morale of the 101st Airborne 42nd Infantry Platoon Scout Dog Unit by sending letters, dog treats, hot chocolate, magazines and a whole lot more, to soldiers and their dogs stationed in Vietnam.