Matt Mikus

Driver and Vehicle Services asks for public's help picking new hold music Driver and Vehicle Services is asking the public to vote on which of the four tunes will have the honor of being the next song callers hear on hold.

Did I spend my morning listening to hold music so I could make an informed vote?

...

Anyways, DVS wants you to weigh in:
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Energy prices soar to levels not seen in years; cost of gas rising in Minnesota and across the U.S. Oil prices have spiked near $120 a barrel as the Iran war disrupts oil production and shipping in the Middle East. Gas prices continued to climb over the weekend in Minnesota and across the U.S.

Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel before falling back Monday as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummeling financial markets.

And gas prices continued to climb over the weekend in Minnesota and across the U.S.

Greater Minnesota schools felt the fear as ICE presence surged While the surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities grabbed much of the attention the past few months, stories of children hiding at home, crying in class and being detained have quietly gripped some...

While the surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities grabbed much of the attention the past few months, stories of children hiding at home, crying in class and being detained have quietly gripped some Minnesota small towns since January.

More from MPR News reporter @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social

Dropkick Murphys, local bands to play free concert at Alex Pretti memorial Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey says the band will visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents killed Alex Pretti and perform a free acoustic set at an anti-ICE fundraiser there, arguing the k...

Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys says it's important to the band to visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti. They will perform a free acoustic set at an anti-ICE fundraiser there, arguing the killing represents a profound shift in American society.

St. Paul pastor testifies in front of Congress: 'No nation can build a true future on the terror of its own people' MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with the Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, Senior Pastor at Hamline Church United Methodist, about her experience.

MPR News host Clay Masters (@claymasters.bsky.social) spoke with Rev. Mariah Tollgaard about her experience testifying with Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Federal judge weighs contempt for U.S. Attorney over ICE property dispute A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense daylong court h...

A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense daylong court hearing in St. Paul.

Minnesotan killed in airstrike while serving in Kuwait was just days from returning home Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children in Minnesota when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service ...

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her.

“You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first — it hurts,” her husband, Joey Amor, said.

Minnesota Wild, city of St. Paul propose $600M in renovations at Grand Casino Arena The agreement asks the Minnesota Legislature for $200 million — with $125 million of that being allocated for Grand Casino Arena and rest going toward St. Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. ...

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Minnesota Wild leadership announced Tuesday that they’ve reached an agreement on a framework for $600 million in renovations at the Grand Casino Arena complex.

From @anikabesst.bsky.social

Why supporting a shelter for women is now 'kind of radioactive' That's how researcher Beatriz Garcia Nice describes the new U.S. stance under the Trump administration to programs addressing gender-based violence.

That's how researcher Beatriz Garcia Nice describes the new U.S. stance under the Trump administration to programs addressing gender-based violence. n.pr/46Ds6JJ

Federal judge weighs contempt for U.S. Attorney over ICE property dispute A federal judge is weighing whether to hold U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen in contempt after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to return detainees’ belongings, prompting a tense day-long court ...

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ordered Rosen and one of his top deputies to appear personally and explain why Immigration and Customs Enforcement failed to follow orders to return personal belongings — such as car keys, driver’s licenses and work permits — to detainees.

From @msepic.bsky.social

Minnesota comedians respond to ICE presence, and aren't afraid to get political Minneapolis comedians are responding to ICE’s presence in Minnesota by “punching up” through political comedy and fundraising roasts that channel fear and anger into community support, even as the imm...

*seinfeld voice* what's the deal with local comedy? www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Meet the Annunciation parents mobilizing to end gun violence in Minnesota The parents’ advocacy group — Annunciation Light Alliance — is prepared to push for gun violence prevention at the Minnesota Legislature and beyond.

The parents’ advocacy group — Annunciation Light Alliance — is prepared to push for gun violence prevention at the Minnesota Legislature and beyond.

MPR News reporter Feven Gerezgiher introduces us to some of the parents involved in the effort.

ICE whistleblower: New agents came to Minnesota untrained Ryan Schwank was a lawyer with ICE who worked as a trainer at the ICE academy from Sept. 2025 until he resigned earlier this month. In his first interview with local news in Minnesota, he described a ...

In his testimony to congress, Ryan Schwank said he witnessed a training scenario where they had a bystander filming and the trainee pepper sprayed the bystander.

When he asked the trainee why he did it, he said it was because it was what he saw ICE agents doing in Minneapolis.

Minnesota lawmakers weigh bill aimed at preventing grooming, abuse in schools The proposed legislation would make grooming a felony, forbid school employees or volunteers from being alone with students during field trips and expand the state licensing board’s ability to suspend...

A newly proposed MN bill suggests a series of changes to the state criminal code, teacher licensing requirements, MDE investigations, mandatory reporter training and school field trip requirements, all aimed at preventing grooming and child abuse in schools. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Been out sick for a few days. What did I miss?

Blizzard breaks up ice pack at Apostle Islands caves, likely ending foot access for the winter After one glorious, fleeting day — access to the Apostle Islands ice caves is likely done for the season. The blizzard sweeping across Lake Superior broke up the ice pack along the shore overnight.

After one glorious, fleeting day — access to the Apostle Islands ice caves is likely done for the season. The blizzard sweeping across Lake Superior broke up the ice pack along the shore overnight

www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Our running list of judges who have ruled on ICE’s mass detention policy POLITICO is keeping track of the federal judges who have ruled on the administration’s effort to systematically lock up thousands of people.

NEW: Here’s our searchable list of federal judges who have ruled on the legality of ICE’s mass detention policy — with links to key decisions by each.

At least 380 district judges have rejected it in ~3,800 cases. 31 have upheld ICE’s approach ~180 times

www.politico.com/news/2026/02...

Column by Dr. Jordan Metzl: For decades, we have equated thinness with health, but it's time to change that. Consistent movement may or may not change your weight, but it always improves health.

Here are some ways to add movement to your routine: https://wapo.st/3ZXoHkX

Highways and schools closed as blizzard conditions wallop Duluth, North Shore Blizzard conditions continued to pummel Duluth and the North Shore on Wednesday, knocking out power to thousands and prompting state transportation officials to close Highway 61 between Duluth and the...

Blizzard conditions continue to pummel Duluth and the North Shore, closing schools and knocking out power to thousands. The winter storm also prompted state transportation officials to close Highway 61 between Duluth and the Canadian border.

Minnesota man faces deportation to Laos for a crime he committed more than 30 years ago At “Ricky” Chandee pled guilty to assault when he was 18 and served a prison sentence in the early 1990s. Since his release, he has worked for the city of Minneapolis for nearly 30 years. His family s...

At "Ricky" Chandee was detained last month based on a conviction from 1992. His immigration lawyer, Linus Chan, said his case raises an important question: “At what point are we supposed to continue to say that if you've committed a crime, you're always a criminal?”

A screenshot of People Over Papers’ ICE reporting map. The map resets at 4 am ET every day. In Minnesota, over 100 reports have been filed today, with the overwhelming majority in and around the Twin Cities. Stay safe. Fuck ICE.

Still around 100 community reports of ICE activity around the Twin Cities today, the most of any state by far.

In case you’re wondering why so many of us aren’t quite taking Homan’s presser today at face value.

54-year-old U.S. curler sets new American Winter Olympics age record Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling.

Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling. n.pr/3MG0qNl

Indie bookstores provide readers with information, relief amid ICE surge Twin Cities bookstores are responding to heightened fear around ICE activity by transforming their shops into hubs for community support, political understanding and emotional refuge, as readers turn ...

Twin Cities bookstores are responding to heightened fear around ICE activity by transforming their shops into hubs for community support, political understanding and emotional refuge, as readers turn to books, children’s resources and author fundraisers to navigate.

Mayor Kaohly Her 'cautiously optimistic' about reported end to federal immigration surge The St. Paul mayor took office during a surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. The Trump Administration announced Thursday it is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge.”

The St. Paul mayor took office during a surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. The Trump Administration announced Thursday it is ending what it calls “Operation Metro Surge.”

Duluth curling team could come home with gold at Winter Olympics Two Minnesota curlers will become Olympic Medalists today, but will it be gold?

Minnesotans Corey Thiesse and Korey Dropkin have been sweeping the competition and on Monday, advanced to the gold medal game in mixed doubles curling. They’ll be facing off against Sweden at 11 a.m., taking home either gold or silver.

Good curling to both teams.

Minnesota state employee union opens investigation into recently departed president • Minnesota Reformer Minnesota’s largest union of state workers is investigating alleged financial improprieties by its former president Megan Dayton, who abruptly resigned her union position and left her job with the sta...

Minnesota state employee union opens investigation into recently departed president minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/09/m...

Mille Lacs Co. asks Interior Department to vacate reservation boundary opinion, tribe 'deeply disappointed' Mille Lacs County commissioners passed a resolution reigniting a dispute over the boundaries of the Mille Lacs Reservation.

The passage of the resolution is yet another twist in a legal battle fought between the county and the tribe that first arose over policing concerns.

Mille Lacs Co. asks Interior Department to vacate reservation boundary opinion, tribe 'deeply disappointed' Mille Lacs County commissioners passed a resolution reigniting a dispute over the boundaries of the Mille Lacs Reservation.

County commissioners passed a resolution that asked the federal government to withdraw a legal opinion that confirms the boundaries of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s reservation. The border of the reservation encompasses several towns located in Mille Lacs County.

Help scientists document Midwest light pollution by looking at Orion More people participating in the citizen science project Globe At Night could help fill gaps in what astronomers know about the extent of skyglow.

More people participating in the citizen science project Globe At Night could help fill gaps in what astronomers know about the extent of skyglow.

DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.

The Department of Homeland Security filed a motion Wednesday to expedite deportation proceedings in the family’s case, said immigration attorney Danielle Molliver with Nwokocha & Operana Law Offices.