Stories from March 13, 2025

Bock acknowledges fraud at Feeding Our Future, denies taking part
Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock continues to deny that she took part in an alleged $250 million scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs. After taking the stand in her own defense, Bock faced rapid-fire questions during cross examination Thursday from lead prosecutor Joe Thompson.
No action taken after ethics panel deadlocks on complaint against Sen. Nicole Mitchell
An ethics panel deadlocked over a new set of complaints filed against Woodbury Sen. Nicole Mitchell. The ethics process is again on hold until after a felony case against her has concluded.
Minnesota National Guard members receive email instructing those with gender dysphoria to voluntarily separate
The email to National Guard members lays out a timeline for service members who experience gender dysphoria to voluntarily separate from the military.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with 20 other attorneys general across the country, is suing to stop the dismantling of the federal Department of Education, and Nicole Mitchell spoke in her own defense today at a Minnesota Senate Ethics Committee hearing.
24 Minnesotans reflect on how COVID-19 changed their lives
On March 13, 2020, Gov. Tim Walz declared the COVID-19 pandemic a peacetime emergency. Five years later, Minnesotans look back on the early days of the public health crisis and the mark it left on their lives.
Politics Friday: Minnesota’s paid leave law remains a flashpoint as launch nears
MPR News senior politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two Minnesota lawmakers about the state’s new paid leave program — scheduled to start in January of next year — and the legislation that could possibly delay or change eligibility.
Minnesota author provides bucket list in ‘100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die’
Jay Gabler, a Twin Cities native, told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer he “was really pleased to discover how eager Duluthians are to help newcomers discover the city” on Morning Edition Thursday.
Hibbing manufacturer responds to Trump‘s steel, aluminum tariffs
Canada is the biggest supplier of steel and aluminum for the U.S. The metals are used for products like nuts and bolts, sheet metal, machining and beer cans. Will those levies be a problem for Minnesota companies that get their steel from Iron Range-mined ore and taconite?
Thousands of fired federal workers must be offered reinstatement, a judge rules
Thousands of probationary federal employees fired by the Trump administration must be offered job reinstatement, a judge in San Francisco has ruled, because they were terminated unlawfully.
Minnesota, 21 other states sue to halt dismantling of U.S. Education Department
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts argues dismantling the federal Department of Education is unconstitutional and usurps congressional authority. It seeks a court order to halt the shutdown.
Minnesota presenta proyecto de ley para fomentar intercambio de información migratoria con ICE
El proyecto de ley pretende evitar que los gobiernos estatales y locales limiten la capacidad de sus empleados para compartir información migratoria con autoridades federales, incluido el estatus legal de los inmigrantes.
Trump threatens retaliatory 200% tariff on European wine after EU proposes American whiskey tax
The European Commission is calling on President Donald Trump to revoke tariffs now that he's threatened a 200 percent tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if Europe goes forward with a planned tariff on American whiskey.
Monitor: Minneapolis police likely to make many year-one goals set for state settlement agreement
Members of a group overseeing the court-enforced agreement between the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota’s Human Rights Department told community members Wednesday that MPD will likely finish required policies by the end of the review period.
Vikings bring in Javon Hargrave to further bolster defensive front, bring back safety Harrison Smith
The Minnesota Vikings made another major move on their interior defensive redesign by agreeing to terms on a contract with two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. 
Minnesota House bill to encourage sharing of immigration data with ICE introduced
The bill aims to prevent state and local governments from limiting their employees’ ability to share immigration data, including the legal status of immigrants, with federal authorities.
Gophers fire men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after four seasons with U of M
Gophers Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced early Thursday that he fired men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson after Minnesota lost to Northwestern in Wednesday’s Big Ten Tournament opener.
Gopher men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson has been fired. And the Minneapolis school district is sending out layoff notices to staff members as part of its attempt to deal with a $75 million budget deficit.
Martinelli scores 28 and Northwestern beats Minnesota 72-64 to begin the Big Ten tourney
 Nick Martinelli scored 28 points to help No. 13 seed Northwestern beat No. 12 seed Minnesota 72-64 to begin the Big Ten Tournament. Northwestern earned its first conference tournament win since 2022 for a chance to play No. 5 Wisconsin in the second round. 
St. Paul officials express concern about Madison Equities treatment of Alliance Bank Center tenants
The property owner, Madison Equities, told tenants on Monday to vacate the premises immediately. It hadn’t been paying its utility bills, and the power was scheduled to shut off Wednesday.
COVID boosted efforts to track diseases in wastewater
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater sampling wasn't routinely done for public health purposes. But as the case number climbed scientists and public health officials saw the value of getting a sneak peek of where the virus was spreading, and where the next hot spot might be.
Despite evidence, Bock denies knowledge of Feeding Our Future fraud
The former head of the Twin Cities nonprofit said Wednesday she shut down meal sites she suspected were stealing taxpayer money. She also claimed in federal court the $2,800 payments from vendors were for a policy manual. Prosecutors allege they were kickbacks.