Walz signs gun policy executive orders

Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders today to try to address gun violence in Minnesota.One order establishes a statewide safety council to develop an action plan to prevent mass shootings and other violence. The council will make policy and funding recommendations to the governor. The other order promotes safe firearm storage and authorizes the state to collect data from insurance companies on claims involving firearms for data analysis.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, or DEED, says the state gained about 40,000 jobs in September compared to the same time a year ago. With the federal government shutdown now over, more current data will be released in the coming weeks. Olmsted County authorities today identified the person who shot and wounded a student in the Stewartville High School parking lot Friday as a man who graduated from the school last year.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A Stewartville high school student is in critical condition after being shot outside the school early this morning. And Minnesota fraud investigations are piling up as the Department of Human Services is more aggressively examining possible abuses.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A man and a woman are facing charges after allegedly driving away with a federal agent trapped in their vehicle. It’s been six months since Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in a political assassination. Legislative leaders say they’ll keep Hortman’s seat as a memorial to the slain lawmaker next year. The Minneapolis City Council Thursday passed a measure that includes restrictions on where federal agents can stage their operations. The council unanimously passed changes to the existing separation ordinance which prohibits city employees from enforcing federal immigration law. The ordinance codifies the mayor’s executive order that forbids federal immigration agents from using city owned parking lots, ramps, vacant lots and garages as part of their operations.

The already crowded race for Minnesota governor got more so today. MyPillow executive Mike Lindell's formal entrance pushes the Republican field above a dozen candidates.An NBC report says ICE has arrested more than four hundred people in Minnesota since December 1, when the Trump administration stepped up immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

Masked immigration agents forcibly arrested a Somali American U.S. citizen in Minneapolis for no apparent reason other than his ethnicity. Authorities held the man for two hours even as he tried to show them his passport.The St. Paul City Council is asking the state to investigate the actions of St. Paul police during an immigration enforcement operation last month. The council is also requesting an audit of city spending on the police response, which drew widespread criticism because of officers’ heavy use of chemical irritants and projectiles.It's been a snowy week across much of Minnesota — with parts of northern and central Minnesota getting more than 6 inches. More snow is expected across the south Thursday. A district court has ruled that the Trump administration can’t block the permitting of wind energy projects. A piece of falling space debris sent social media atwitter in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan this past weekend.

A judge heard arguments today in a federal lawsuit against the state of Minnesota challenging a state law that allows undocumented students to get in-state college tuition. And another long-time legislator says he won't seek re-election in 2026. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Dozens of Minnesota school districts have delayed the start of classes Wednesday as a winter storm continues to cause difficult travel across the region. In addition to the late starts, a handful of school districts have moved to online learning or canceled classes in the wake of the heavy snow and gusty winds. The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 400 crashes and spinouts on highways across the state between noon and 9 p.m. Tuesday, including at least 5 jackknifed semis.The University of Minnesota has released a new study that shows fungi could help keep the invasive emerald ash borer in check. Researchers found fungi species growing on wood samples of ash trees and discovered many strands were known insect killers.