>>Operation Metro Surge Ending in Minnesota
(Minneapolis, MN) — Operation Metro Surge operations in Minnesota are coming to an end. Border Czar Tom Homan delivered an update today in Minneapolis, saying the mission “has yielded the results” officials were seeking. The immigration enforcement activity has drawn heightened scrutiny after two Minnesotans were killed in separate incidents involving federal agents. Homan said teams are working to de-escalate tensions on the streets and issued a warning to protesters, urging them not to interfere with ongoing federal operations. Homan says a small footprint of personnel will remain for a period to close out and transition command and control back to the ICE field office. Homan plans to stay in Minnesota to oversee the drawdown.
>>Walz Cautiously Optimistic About Operation Metro Surge Concluding
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says he remains “cautiously optimistic” following Border Czar Tom Homan’s announcement that Operation Metro Surge will end. Walz says, “While the federal government may move on to whatever the next thing is they want to do, the state of Minnesota and our administration are unwaveringly focused on the recovery of what they did. And there will be many steps in this process.” As federal agents leave the state, the governor said many questions remain unanswered, including whether there will be investigations into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE officers.
>>St. Paul Ordinance Requires Law Enforcement to Visibly Display Identification
(St Paul, MN) — An ordinance approved by the St. Paul City Council requires law enforcement officers to visibly display identification on the outermost layer of their uniform. Officials say the shootings of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and Senator John Hoffman and his wife underscore why clear identification of law enforcement is a matter of public safety and accountability. Police said the alleged gunman was impersonating an officer. Council members also say the tactics and methods of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota make it difficult for residents to report or hold officers accountable for misconduct.
>>Klobuchar Cheers House Passage of Bill Ending Tariffs on Canada
(Washington, DC) — U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar is cheering House passage of legislation that would repeal President Trump’s tariffs on Canada. Klobuchar said in a statement, “Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner, but these chaotic tariffs are jeopardizing that relationship – and increasing costs for Minnesota families.” Six House Republicans joined Democrats in passing the bill, but all of Minnesota’s G-O-P members voted against it. Trump wrote on social media that any Republican that votes against tariffs “will seriously suffer the consequences come election time.”
>>Minnesota DHS Launches Medicaid Fraud ‘Fact Check’ Webpage
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Human Services has a new ‘fact check’ webpage aimed at correcting misleading information about Medicaid fraud in the state. Assistant D-H-S Commissioner John Connolly says a lot of false claims are being made and they want to make sure Minnesotans have accurate data. He says the fact checks address exaggerated Medicaid fraud figures and the federal government’s plan to withhold two billion dollars in funding. House Republicans claim the website downplays the scale of fraud in Minnesota.
>>Tax Season Can be Stressful for Minnesota Farmers
(Mankato, MN) — This time of year can be especially tough on Minnesota farmers’ mental health. State Department of Agriculture mental health specialist Tracie Rutherford Self says says tax season often becomes a major source of stress on the farm. She says, “We’re looking at tax season, and then we’re looking at operating loans coming up. And we’re still looking at what’s happening from a federal government standpoint, the payments people are waiting on. So there are a lot of factors.” Self says she’s also seeing an uptick in requests for agricultural health services.
>>Diggins Wins Bronze Medal in Women’s 10 KM Freestyle Cross Country Race
(Val Di Fiemme, IT) — Afton, Minnesota native Jesse Diggins is bringing home another Olympic medal in cross country skiing. Thirty-four-year-old Diggins won the bronze today in the 10 kilometer freestyle in Italy despite skiing with injured ribs. She could be seen holding her ribs after crossing the finish line. Diggins won a gold medal in 2018 in South Korea and a silver and bronze in Beijing in 2022. She’s scheduled to compete in three more events in Milano Cortina.
