Trump administration threatens to cut off SNAP funding to Minnesota over beneficiary data

Local Somali leaders are urging residents to learn their rights amid reports of federal immigration agents carrying out an enforcement operation in Minnesota. Jaylani Hussein, president of CAIR Minnesota, said he's heard reports of federal agents asking Somali U.S. citizens for their documentation. State lawmakers will receive a key update on Minnesota's economy Thursday.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Bright. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul say they are standing with the local Somali community amid reports federal officials are planning a targeted immigration crackdown. The operation would target a few hundred people with final deportation orders. Most Somali residents in Minnesota are U.S. citizens and city leaders raised concerns they could be caught up in a federal operation. Gov. Tim Walz says he's open to a federal probe focused on whether Minnesota funding went to terrorist groups in Somalia. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on social media he is launching an investigation to determine whether taxpayer money went to al-Shabaab, after allegations were raised by a conservative think tank.Walz says he’s taken action to prevent fraud in state programs after lawmakers gave him broader authority earlier this year. Republicans have criticized Walz over his administration’s response to fraud in Medicaid programs.The Trump administration is threatening to cut off federal administrative SNAP funding to Minnesota over the state’s refusal to share data about beneficiaries. State leaders have declined to share the names, birth dates, addresses and Social Security numbers of food assistance program participants — and won a court order earlier this year to not share that data. The Trump administration says the information is needed to investigate fraud. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the police officer in Plymouth who shot and wounded a man after responding a domestic disturbance call last week. Officer Jacob Coopet allegedly confronted and shot a man with a handgun. The man remains in stable condition.

President Donald Trump is intensifying his disparaging remarks about Minnesota's Somali community and lobbing criticism at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.According to reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is beginning an operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities.Tens of thousands of Somali immigrants live in Minnesota, and most are U.S. citizens. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey raised concerns that citizens will be caught up in a federal operation.That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

The quick change from mild fall to winter cold means an increasing need for shelter beds across the Twin Cities. A Duluth nonprofit that operates the largest homeless shelter north of the Twin Cities is getting the largest gift it has ever received. The former leader of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce has pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the organization. Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel has announced he’s running for governor. He’s competing for the Republican endorsement against eleven other candidates. The Minneapolis Poison Control Center says there’s been a 176-percent increase in reports about potential cannabis poisonings in children and pets since 2021.

Today is the first day of meteorological winter ... this fall turned out to be our 4th warmest ... and very dry. The cold and the snow mean it's snowmobile season. In Minnesota, the season can start as early as December 1 — if conditions are right.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

A federal operation yesterday in St. Paul ended with at least two people taken into custody. And authorities in northeast Minnesota say a man died after being struck by a falling tree while clearing snow this morning amid the winter storm.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Just in time for holiday travel, a snow storm impacting much of Minnesota has left several inches of snow in a swath from southwestern Minnesota to the northeast. Roads were slick and snow covered Wednesday morning. I-94 was closed for a time due to jack-knifed semis. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport says Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.Federal authorities on Wednesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters. St. Paul Police confirmed their officers used chemical irritants. Police chief Axel Henry says his department did not violate the city ordinance that prevents it from assisting with federal enforcement. Police officers used chemical irritants and less lethal projectiles on protesters and the press. MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yucel was hit by the chemical irritants.Best Buy is reporting a strong third quarter in its latest earnings report — and the company also is raising its sales and profit forecasts for the year. The Richfield-based electronics retailer says comparable-store sales rose nearly 3 percent in the last quarter — its biggest gain in three years.As Minnesotans get ready for a holiday that revolves around a large meal, people who work in hunger relief are asking people to remember food shelves and those in need. A family from the Red Lake Nation will represent three generations in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York this year.

There is a winter storm warning for northeast into southern Minnesota going into effect for Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday. There is a winter weather advisory for northwestern Minnesota spreading south for the same time period. Fog will turn to rain and snow. Some areas could get several inches in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced the U.S. will end temporary protected status for migrants from Myanmar in January. Minnesota is home to about 22,000 people from Myanmar. Most arrived as refugees in the early and mid-2000s and would be unaffected by the policy change.Meanwhile, the temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota is still up in the air. The latest defendant to be sentenced in the Feeding Our Future case is headed to federal prison for 10 years.The Hennepin County Attorney's Office will charge the man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend 10 times in Minneapolis in September with an additional two counts of first degree murder. A central Minnesota man charged with killing his coworker appeared in court Monday. Forty-year-old David Delong faces second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing 20-year-old Amber Czech with a sledgehammer while working at a manufacturing facility in Cokato. A judge ordered an evaluation of Delong's mental condition and competency to stand trial at the request of his attorney.

Snow is expected tomorrow and Wednesday across much of the state... with several inches of accumulation possible in northern Minnesota ahead of the holiday weekend. The Twin Cities could get 1 to 3 inches.An immigration judge today ordered the deportation of a Northfield man who was detained by ICE earlier this month. Somali community leaders and Democratic lawmakers rallied at the Capitol today to oppose a proposal to end temporary protected status -- or TPS -- for Somali people in Minnesota.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.