Stories from March 14, 2025

Former 3M property in Hubbard County will become a wildlife management area
Land owned by 3M on Mantrap Lake in Hubbard County, will be transferred to the state Department of Natural Resources later this year after being acquired through a partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust and Northern Waters Land Trust.
Walz hits road to rip Trump policies as he works to keep his own national profile up
Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, held forums in Iowa and Nebraska. He is using them to dissect Trump administration actions and perhaps boost his own standing in the soul-searching Democratic Party.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents today voted to prohibit its colleges, centers and other academic units from making statements on "matters of public concern or public interest,” and the U of M is among more than 50 universities across the U.S. that are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination.
Immigration officials arrest second person who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia
Immigration officials have arrested a second person who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, and have revoked the visa of another student.
Severe weather; blizzard warnings in western Minnesota by Saturday morning
We’ll see record warmth, potential lightning, thunder, wind and hail, and even a few tornadoes possible in parts of southern Minnesota Friday evening. Then heavy wind-driven snow and winds to 55 mph will cause blizzard conditions in western Minnesota by dawn Saturday.
Job Interview: Hospital specialist helps children have fun during medical stays
Any hospital stay can be filled with uncertainty, but for kids it can be particularly anxiety inducing. Child life specialist Melissa Haun works to demystify the world of medicine and help parents and children feel at home.
Four strings, infinite joy: T.H.U.G. is a ukulele group with a name to remember
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group (T.H.U.G.), a lively ensemble of mostly senior musicians, brings joy through its 400+ song repertoire, performing everywhere from senior living facilities to breweries, with a passion for community, lifelong learning and, most importantly, fun.
‘We haven’t moved on’ expert says grief from Minnesota COVID-19 deaths still linger
On March 13, 2020, Gov. Tim Walz declared the COVID-19 pandemic a peacetime emergency. Five years later, an expert says we still haven’t fully processed the lives lost to the pandemic.
A U.S. influencer outrages Australians by snatching a baby wombat from its mom
Outdoor enthusiast Sam Jones left Australia after posting a video of herself separating a baby wombat from its mom on a dark road. Australians are cheering her departure and worrying about the animal.
Vikings trade former starting guard Ed Ingram to Texans for 6th-round pick in 2026 draft
The Minnesota Vikings traded guard Ed Ingram to the Houston Texans for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The fourth-year player was supplanted in the starting lineup during the 2024 season. 
DOGE lease cancellations: These government offices could be closed in Minnesota
The General Services Administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has notified landlords that federal agencies will be terminating hundreds of leases for offices and buildings in the coming months — including a dozen in Minnesota.
Big March storm system threatens U.S. with tornadoes, blizzards and wildfire risk
A storm system crossing the U.S. threatens to unleash tornadoes Friday in the Mississippi Valley, blizzards in the northern Plains and dry conditions in Texas and Oklahoma that pose a wildfire risk.
More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign
More than 50 universities — including the University of Minnesota — are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.
Former reality TV star wins Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Duluth racer holds as second-fastest rookie
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes has won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. As of early Friday, Duluth’s Emily Ford continued to run in 17th place, and was the second-fastest rookie so far.
The Minnesota Department of Health says flu and COVID hospitalizations continue to decline, but hospital admissions for RSV have remained steady for the past eight weeks. And the city of Minneapolis will pay $450,000 to the attorneys who sued the city on behalf of an anti-abortion group.
North Dakota went big for Trump. Now many farmers say they face an uncertain future
In North Dakota, many farmers are still recovering from the 2018 trade war and are now bracing for more losses as President Trump levies sweeping tariffs on everything from soybeans to pork.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, gets his Senate hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz is set to appear before the Senate Finance committee Friday for his confirmation hearing to be the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
John Feinstein, bestselling author and one of the country’s foremost sports writers, dies at 69
John Feinstein, one of the country’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, has died unexpectedly, according to his brother, Robert Feinstein. John Feinstein was 69.
Proposals to cut down on bad driving cross political lanes in Minnesota session
A variety of bills that aim to make Minnesota’s roads less treacherous are rolling their way through the legislative process. It could wind up as one area of bipartisan consensus in a session where that is a paramount.
Senate Democrats signal plans to advance GOP bill to avoid a government shutdown
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said he plans to vote for a Republican bill to fund the government through September, paving the way for other Democrats to join him.
Minnesota ‘red-tape experiment’ streamlines permitting process to achieve carbon-free grid
MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner and journalist Allison Prang talk about Minnesota’s efforts to speed up the clean-energy permitting process so the state can achieve its goals.