>>Trump Suggests “Softer Touch” On Immigration Enforcement
(Undated) — President Trump says the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis has taught him that his administration may need a “softer touch.” In an exclusive interview with NBC News that aired on Wednesday, the president said he still hopes to push immigration crackdowns into five more cities across the country. His comments came the same day that Border czar Tom Homan announced that some 700 agents are being withdrawn from Minnesota. The announcement follows the deadly shootings in January of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis.
>>Operation Metro Surge Efforts
(Minneapolis, MN) — White House Border Czar Tom Homan says “Operation Metro Surge” has been successful, though he acknowledged the effort was not without flaws.
Homan said the operation has led to the arrest of numerous individuals he described as public safety threats in the Twin Cities. According to Homan, those taken into custody include 14 people with homicide convictions, 139 with assault convictions, 87 with sex offense convictions, and 28 identified gang members. “We’ve taken a lot of bad people off the street,” Homan added that the operation helped streamline and improve targeted enforcement efforts. He announced on Wednesday that approximately 700 federal agents are now leaving Minnesota.
>>Lawsuit Filed to Try to Block ICE Operations Near Public Schools
(Undated) – Minnesota’s largest teachers union and multiple school districts are suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to stop immigration enforcement near public schools. Education Minnesota, along with Duluth and Fridley Public Schools, says families are increasingly fearful and that the presence of immigration agents has led to anxiety, lower attendance, and concerns about student safety. The lawsuit argues that federal actions violate long-standing protections for sensitive locations and disrupt students’ ability to learn. Fridley Public Schools reports that immigration agents have recently been seen circling an elementary school, leaving families shaken. The districts are asking a federal court to restrict immigration operations on or near school property.
>>Minnesota Mayors Join Forces Calling on State Leaders to Address Fraud
(Undated) — Minnesota mayors are urging the governor and state lawmakers to take stronger action to address fraud at the state level, arguing that local governments already operate under stricter accountability. Braham Mayor Nate George said cities and towns are required to balance their budgets and face immediate consequences for mistakes. “Local governments and citizens must live within our means. We are audited. We are accountable,” George said. “But when fraud and mismanagement happen at higher levels and are allowed to go unchecked, the consequences are pushed downstream.” In total, 261 mayors from across Minnesota have signed a letter calling for greater accountability at the Capitol. The group says few state lawmakers have been willing to engage with them directly about the growing fraud problem.
>>Representative Fischbach Calls for Urgent Relief for Sugarbeet Farmers
(Washington, D.C.) — Minnesota sugarbeet farmers are facing a growing financial crisis, and relief could be coming from Washington. Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach says she met with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to push for Minnesota producers to receive a share of $1 billion in supplemental economic relief. Fischbach’s office says sugarbeet farmers are being squeezed by falling prices and rising production costs. According to the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, Minnesota is the top sugarbeet‑producing state in the nation, with farms concentrated along the Red River Valley in northern Minnesota and in the southern parts of the state.
>>Anoka Cannabis Company Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Today
(Anoka, MN) — State and local officials are expected to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon at the Anoka Cannabis Company, marking the opening of Minnesota’s first municipal cannabis dispensary. Operations Director Kevin Morelli said interest in the program has been strong from cities across the state. “Thirteen total applied during the first opening,” Morelli said. “But there are a lot of municipalities that are watching to see how it goes with us,” The dispensary’s cannabis flower and products are supplied by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Additional events are planned for Friday and Saturday to celebrate the grand opening.
>>Children’s Minnesota Plans Gender-Affirming Care Pause Amid FederalFunding Threat
(Minneapolis, MN) — Children’s Minnesota says some pediatric gender-affirming care services will be temporarily suspended beginning February 27, citing concerns over recent federal actions targeting health systems that provide the care. Jess Braverman, legal director for Gender Justice, said gender-affirming care for minors remains legal in Minnesota, but access to that care has become the primary challenge. “Discrimination against transgender kids in the state of Minnesota is illegal,” Braverman said. “This care continues to be best‑practice medical care and is consistent with Minnesota values.” Children’s Minnesota officials say the hospital, along with others across the country, has been repeatedly targeted by the Trump administration for administering gender‑affirming care. In a statement, hospital leaders said the pause “isn’t the decision we wanted to make,” but was necessary to “protect our hospital and other providers.”
