Stories from March 20, 2025

‘The Buffalo Hunter Hunter’ is Stephen Graham Jones' horror masterpiece
The prose is gorgeous and the plot is complex. The author of “The Only Good Indians” returns again with a spellbinding yarn about one of the bloodiest, most significant parts of the nation's history.
To be a Palestinian-American writer right now can lead to a lot of expectation to focus on identity and devastation, but in her debut novel, “Too Soon,” Betty Shamieh shares the story of three generations of Palestinian women trying to find love, purpose and liberation.
Climate researcher: Cuts to NOAA could lead to economic disasters across U.S.
Federal funding cuts to NOAA could jeopardize the future of weather and climate forecasting. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talks with University of St. Thomas professor John Abraham about the possible ripple effects from shrinking this agency.
Former State Senator Justin Eichorn made his first appearance in court since being arrested Monday for attempting to solicit a minor. And Cleveland-Cliffs says it plans to lay off about 600 workers at two taconite mines on the Iron Range. Cliffs plans to temporarily close its Minorca Mine in Virginia, and partially close Hibbing Taconite, or Hibtac.
Advocate for sexually exploited children speaks following former senator’s charging
Beth Holger, executive director of The Link — which supports impoverished youth and families who are experiencing homelessness, being sexually exploited, or in the criminal justice system — joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition with her reaction to former Sen. Justin Eichorn’s alleged crimes.
Help me declutter and organize
Spring cleaning season is here, but making sure we maintain those decluttering and organizing habits all year long can be more complicated than you think.
Spring equinox brings sunshine; Minnesota drought conditions easing
The spring equinox brings sunshine and above-average temperatures for Thursday with cooler temps in areas that received fresh snow on Wednesday. The latest drought monitor shows signs of improvement.
Inside the ‘Las Vegas of fish fries’ at Minneapolis church
Each Friday during Lent in kitchens all over the state, fish filets will be hitting the fryer to be served to Lent observers and anyone else with a hankering for fish fry. Last Friday, more than 1,000 people visited Church of St. Albert the Great for a fish dinner.
Switching from gas to electric? Here are 3 appliances that are easy to install
Changing from gas to climate-friendly electric appliances often involves expensive retrofits. A growing list of companies offer stoves, heat pumps and water heaters that make it easier and cheaper.
It's your last chance to claim pandemic-era stimulus checks, the IRS says. Here's how
The IRS says some Americans who have not filed their 2021 tax returns could be eligible for a pandemic-era relief payment, as long as they do so by April 15. Here's what to know as Tax Day approaches.
Pentagon restores webpages of Black veterans, Navajo Code Talkers and others after outcry
A Pentagon official not authorized to speak publicly said its review to scrub websites of DEI content was too hasty and also used search terms like “gay,” leading to the flagging of Enola Gay images.
Delta plane that crash-landed in Toronto last month showed high rate of descent, initial report says
A preliminary report into why a Delta Air Lines jet coming from Minneapolis burst into flames and flipped upside down as it tried to land in Toronto has been released.
American believed to be last person to see missing U.S. student has left the Dominican Republic
Lawyers for a student at St. Cloud University in Minnesota who is believed to be the last person to see missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic, say he has left the Caribbean country. 
Why more Minnesotans are struggling to find an affordable place to live
A growing number of Minnesotans can’t find an affordable place to live. MPR News host Angela Davis talked about the state’s worsening housing shortage and the importance of a stable home.
Eichorn resigns Minnesota Senate seat amid soliciting a minor charge
Grand Rapids Republican Justin Eichorn was facing possible expulsion from the Senate on Thursday after being arrested Monday in a prostitution sting in Bloomington and charged with attempting to solicit a 17-year-old. He appeared in court Thursday afternoon.
Propane leak prompts highway closure, evacuations in Rosemount
A propane leak in Rosemount on Wednesday caused an hourslong shutdown of busy U.S. Highway 52, and led to two families being evacuated from their homes. The leak was traced to a pipeline owned by the nearby Flint Hills Refinery.
Judge grants request for another delay in pending federal consent decree with Minneapolis police
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion Wednesday to continue a pause on the Minneapolis Police Department’s pending federal consent decree. A judge granted that request Thursday.
Republicans in the Minnesota Senate plan to seek the expulsion of fellow GOP Sen. Justin Eichorn as he faces charges of soliciting a minor. And two key people involved in the Feeding Our Future fraud case were convicted Wednesday by a federal jury. 
Israel has launched a new ground invasion into Gaza after breaking ceasefire
Israel’s military launched a new ground offensive in Gaza, sending troops into areas they retreated from during a two-month ceasefire. This comes a day after airstrikes killed more than 400 people.
Pleasant first day of spring in Minnesota
We’ll have sunshine and slightly above-normal temperatures on this first day of spring. Friday will be milder for southern Minnesota. We’re watching for potential rain and snow for Sunday. 
Republicans in the Minnesota Senate plan to seek the expulsion of fellow GOP Senator Justin Eichorn as he faces charges of soliciting a minor. Two key people involved in the Feeding Our Future fraud case were convicted yesterday by a federal jury. 
Vikings committed to J.J. McCarthy as starting QB after considering Aaron Rodgers, AP source says
The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.
She’s a rabbi. He’s a Palestinian peace activist. They’re trying to start a movement
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended. But even as peace in the region seems out of reach, a group of Twin Cities Palestinian peace activists and Jewish people have continued to meet and have difficult conversations.
‘We are gutted’ — Hamline’s creative writing MFA is on the chopping block
Hamline University’s creative writing MFA program faces potential closure after an unexpected announcement from interim leadership, citing declining enrollment; students and faculty are protesting the decision, calling for transparency and a delay in cuts until new university leadership arrives.
Cooking up a bill? Find bipartisan backers, keep dollars tight to succeed this Minnesota session
The Minnesota Legislature is about as evenly split as it can get — with 101 Democrats and 99 Republicans, with one vacant seat that had until last week been in GOP hands. That means there’s a new formula this year to get bills across the finish line.
Should U.S. Hockey Hall’s home be on the Iron Range, or in St. Paul?
A faceoff is coming between Eveleth and St. Paul over which should host the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. With its storied hockey history, the Iron Range town has hosted the Hall for decades. Yet even the locals admit it doesn’t draw a lot of visitors.