Stories from March 21, 2025

College basketball star Tessa Johnson’s high school coach reflects on her soaring career
The NCAA women’s basketball tournament began this week and 40 players in this year’s tournament are from Minnesota — which means a whole lot of proud Minnesota coaches will be watching from here.
Trans dinosaur musical creates a space for ‘Queer Joy’
“Triassic Parq” is a parody musical that reimagines “Jurassic Park” from the dinosaurs’ perspective, using the plot point of gender transition among dinosaurs to explore themes of identity, transformation, and the trans experience — all through campy humor and song.
Bloomington police officials today announced they arrested 14 men during the sting operation that nabbed a state senator earlier this week. The men are accused of trying to solicit sex from minors. That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
DFL, GOP educator-leaders respond to Trump‘s dismantling of the Education Department
Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of the Senate Education Finance Committee Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton — who is a library media specialist — and House Education Policy Committee Co-Vice Chair Rep. Patricia Mueller, R-Austin — who is a teacher — joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to talk about the implications.
Walz proposes more cuts, seeks one-time aid for avian influenza and police training
Lawmakers will consider the spending plan as they prepare budgets of their own. They have to write a proposal that can satisfy both Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature.
Windy into the weekend; spring storm sets its sights on NE Minnesota
A cold front moving across the state on Friday will bring breezy northwesterly winds. Temperatures will steadily drop behind the front throughout the afternoon, accompanied by strong gusts. A winter storm watch will go into effect late Saturday night and last through Monday morning for the Northland.
Craft brewers consider kicking the aluminum tariff can to customers
Craft brewers are feeling the impact of tariffs through increases in ingredient costs, but perhaps more significantly through tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, which are pushing up the cost of their cans. Now breweries around the area are trying to decide how much they can pass on to customers.
This author witnessed South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation hearings. Years later, she wrote about it
Novelist Lauren Francis-Sharma witnessed South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation hearings as a young law intern. Now she’s written a thriller about what she saw.
Report: Minneapolis traffic-related deaths dropped ‘significantly’ between 2023 and 2024
A report released this week shows that traffic-related deaths on Minneapolis streets dropped significantly between 2023 and 2024. However, those numbers are still higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sudan’s army recapture presidential palace in Khartoum
Sudan’s army has taken control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, in a major turning point during the war. The palace and the capital had been occupied by the Rapid Support Force paramilitary since the start of the war, but over the last year the army have been making gradual gains.
3 people face federal charges for Tesla attacks. Are such acts domestic terrorism?
Attorney General Pamela Bondi says the accused are part of a “wave of domestic terrorism.” Experts say this is a common stance of the federal government and can be used to seek stiffer penalties.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar hosted a town hall meeting Thursday night in Minneapolis. She spent much of the discussion criticizing the policies of President Donald Trump. And former Red Lake High School students will honor the people who lost their lives during a school shooting 20 years ago.
Fire shuts down London’s Heathrow Airport, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands
A large fire near London’s Heathrow Airport knocked out power to Europe’s busiest flight hub and forced it to shut all day. That is disrupting global travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers Friday. 
20 years later, lives affected by the school shooting in Red Lake will be memorialized
Several former Red Lake High School students, with the support of a former teacher, say it’s time to publicly memorialize those who lost their lives during a shooting at the school 20 years ago. They intend to honor those affected by the tragedy.
Minneapolis school board set to unveil cuts to close $75 million budget gap
Minneapolis school board members on Tuesday night are expected to lay out planned cuts to balance the budget for next school year. A recent survey of Twin Cities area school districts shows other school systems struggling to close gaps as well.