Stories from March 17, 2025

People who commit Medicaid fraud would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, and rural communities will have a chance to voice their concerns about the state of their government at a series of town halls sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union.
GOP bill labeling Trump opposition a ‘derangement syndrome’ causes Minnesota Capitol stir
The proposal, which one Republican described as a “tongue-in-cheek” measure designed to make a point about criticism of President Donald Trump, was derided by Democrats as trivializing mental health and minimizing legitimate concerns.
March Madness: A Minnesotan is trying to get her team to its 24th Final Four game
March Madness begins this week and Paige Bueckers is the sole Minnesotan representation in the NCAA basketball tournaments. Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined Minnesota Now to talk about basketball and other sports news.
Five years after COVID-19 lockdown, racial health disparities linger
People of color experience a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 cases and deaths. In Minnesota, deaths from COVID-19 have been concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Prosecutors say Minnesota man accused of hiding stolen ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is dead
A federal judge has dismissed the charges against Jerry Hal Saliterman, of Crystal, accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz.” Prosecutors informed the court Monday that he died Sunday.
Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. 
Sports betting is growing, along with problem gambling
March Madness is underway and millions of Americans will be watching the games and placing bets on college basketball. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the appeal and potential addiction of sports betting.
A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: ‘I have to protect myself’
“When one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful person in the world is saying you’ve committed a crime, it doesn’t matter what the truth is,” says Valerie Costa, an anti-Tesla protester.
Vinyl beat No. 1 seed Lunar Owls and Unrivaled MVP Napheesa Collier, will play Rose for title
Rhyne Howard scored 23 points, Jordin Canada added 21 and the No. 4 seed Vinyl beat the top-seeded Lunar Owls and Napheesa Collier of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, who was named Unrivaled’s Most Valuable Player before tipoff, 73-70 in the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league’s playoffs.
The Minnesota House returns to a full complement Monday after nine weeks with a vacancy. And Gov. Tim Walz is holding a series of townhall-style meetings in congressional districts represented by Republicans in other states.
Detroit draws 14,288 fans to watch PWHL game, setting U.S. record for pro women’s hockey game
The Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens played in front of 14,288 fans Sunday night, setting an attendance record for a professional women’s hockey game in the United States.
After drop-ins to a pair of GOP-led states, Walz returns to a rearranged Minnesota Capitol
Gov. Tim Walz mingled with Democrats in Iowa and Nebraska for what were billed as town halls focused on Trump administration policies. But Walz and Minnesota lawmakers have their work cut out for them in a reconfigured Legislature.
Minnesota homeschooling leaped during COVID and counts continue to climb
After Minnesota schools shut their doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 10,000 families decided to educate their children at home. Five years later, the number of homeschoolers statewide is even higher.
En el oeste de Minnesota, una mujer ayuda a los nuevos inmigrantes a echar raíces
Alma Contreras llegó de México hace 16 años y aún recuerda lo difícil que fue su transición a la zona rural del oeste de Minnesota. Ella ahora se dedica a ayudar a que otros inmigrantes se adapten a los Estados Unidos.
Minnesota House starts second half of session in a tie; 29 legislator recall drives dismissed
A Ramsey County DFLer will take his seat Monday after winning a special election last week. That brings the House back to its full complement for the first time this legislative session.
Duluth looks to housing to revive stagnant, post-COVID downtown
Like Minneapolis, St. Paul and other cities around the country, Duluth hopes to revitalize its downtown through new housing, to bring new residents to an urban core that was abandoned by thousands of workers who didn’t come back to the office after COVID.