North Star Stories

White Earth Nation gets federal health accreditation, cursive makes a comeback, and a new effort to investigate and prosecute misconduct by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge. Image: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty addresses reporters about investigations into unlawful conduct during Operation Metro Surge. [Credit: HCAO]

Schools in Hibbing and Duluth face challenges, the Arrowhead gets a late-season snow boost, and the Minnesota budget forecast looks good — for now. [Image credit: MN.gov]

An arrest after threats against state government leaders, a push to keep dairy farmers afloat, Governor Tim Walz says a federal Medicaid funding freeze targets Minnesota’s most vulnerable — not fraud.

A new prayer camp at Coldwater Spring near Fort Snelling is drawing attention and debate. Then, a personal story looks at the effects of separation over twenty years after a woman lost her mother to deportation. And, we delve into the history of America's immigration and deportation policies and how U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement evolved into the agency we see today.  ----- Executive Prod...

An ICE whistleblower accuses the agency of defective training, some big changes await Bemidji schools, and Minnesota lawmakers move to make students safer from grooming.

Fleet Farm gets punished for straw gun sales, Google expands into southern Minnesota, and an attempt at gun control legislation at the Capitol fails. Image: Blue and green ribbons in support of those shot at Annunciation School. [Credit: Xan Holston]

A labor dispute escalates in Hibbing, the Special Olympics honor Minnesota schools, and Minnesota voters could get the chance to vote on an equal rights amendment. Image: A vintage ERA sticker from the late 1970s [Credit: Xan Holston]

Members of the Dakota diaspora take back land at Fort Snelling, Congressional Reps Omar and Craig question the lack of detainees at the Whipple Building, and the US Men’s Olympic Hockey team copies the US Women’s team — taking gold over Canada. Image: Tipis at the Mni Owe Sni prayer camp at Bdóte [Credit: Xan Holston]

Blizzard cleanup in the Northland, a memorial targeted by arson in Minneapolis, and new limits on masked officers in St. Paul — the stories shaping Minnesota today. Image: World’s Best Snowdrift? Snow piles up near Grand Marais iconic donut shop. [credit: Kalli Hawkins]

This week on North Star Stories , we look at how Operation Metro Surge is impacting the state's education system. Then, a northern Minnesota community responds to federal legislation that would shift focus for the mining industry and change EPA regulation of public lands and waterways. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Xan Holston, Katharine DeCelle, frankie felegy  Host: Chant...

School immigration fears, a standoff over federal evidence, and a judge-ordered release. Plus, Springsteen will hit the streets of Minneapolis again soon. Image: A teacher shares how ICE actions have affected her students to the Senate Education Finance Committee. (Credit: Minnesota Senate Media Services)

Minnesota lawmakers opened the new session by honoring former Speaker Melissa Hortman before turning to a sharply divided political agenda. Meanwhile, a major winter storm is set to bring blizzard conditions along the North Shore. Image: At a memorial for House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, colleagues placed roses on her old desk. (Image credit: Minnesota Senate Media Services) ----- For the la...

New security measures at the Capitol, a federal judge steps in on immigration transfers, and a clash over access to evidence in a fatal shooting case. Also: the state warns about thin ice risks, and cultural celebrations begin across Minnesota. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn...

Hundreds gathered in Minneapolis for the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives march. Meanwhile, debate continues over what happens and happened in Minnesota as Operation Metro Surge winds down.    Audio credit: KAXE  Image: The 2026 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives march moves through the Little Earth community.  Image credit: Xan Holston  ----------- For the latest episode dr...

The federal government says Operation Metro Surge is concluding after thousands of arrests. State leaders say the damage isn’t over — and neither are the investigations. --------- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releas...

Today’s statewide headlines include: a Bloomington police prostitution sting ensnares a man who ran federal employee background checks, a recent poll shows low opinions of ICE amongst Minnesotans, and the state’s Environmental Protection Agency releases its 2026 climate goals. Tune in for the full newscast.   (Photo credit: Bee Kakac) --------- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us o...

Today’s statewide headlines include: Governor Walz hints at a possible upcoming end to Operation Metro Surge, the Duluth City Council considers a proposal to temporarily halt evictions, and Minnesotans take medals at the Milan Winter Olympics. Tune in for the full newscast.   Image caption: Metro-area protest actions in response to Operation Metro Surge (Image credit: Katharine DeCelle) __________...

Today’s statewide headlines include: an update on GOP candidates for the Governor’s race; Duluth and Fridley’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, and the economic hit to Minneapolis businesses. Tune in for the full newscast.   Image caption: East Side, St. Paul and other Metro-area businesses have closed in response to the increased presence of federal immigration agents. (Image...

Today’s statewide headlines include: a public memorial ceremony for Renee Good one month after her death; protests and arrests outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul, and Representatives Pete Stauber, Michelle Fishbach, and Tom Emmer introduce a bill to cut off federal election funding if Minnesota refuses to hand over its voter rolls to the federal government. Tune in for t...

Children are facing mental health crises during the continuing Minnesota ICE surge. Then, a look at how we can be smarter media consumers in an age of nonstop headlines, fake news, and propaganda. NSS Host Chantel SinGs goes deeper by talking to both the head of a Minneapolis health clinic and a library sciences and literacy educator. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Maija Hec...

Federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota comes under intense legal scrutiny. Then, transnational adoptees are worried amid immigration enforcement.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Xan Holston, Ngoc Bui  Anchor: Grace Jacobson  Reader scripting: Victor Palomino  Fact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino  Editorial support: Emily Krumberger  Mixing & mastering: Chris...

Another fatal shooting by a Border Patrol agent thrusts our state back into the spotlight. While thousands of Minnesotans exercise their First Amendment rights, others ask what the difference is between observer, protester, and agitator. Then, Minnesota's Muslim community faces unprecedented hate, and a look at the Sax Zim Bog north of Duluth. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers:...

This week, we continue our coverage of the intensified federal immigration operations in Minnesota and the growing public response.​ Tribal members say federal agents are not recognizing tribal identification cards. And we take a look at how the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities is impacting local businesses and communities.​ ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino  Producers: Xan Holston...

Community residents respond to Operation Metro Surge and the killing of Renee Good. Then, we look at how hazardous road conditions are affecting drivers, along with tips on how to stay safe on winter roads. And we conclude with ways to protect yourself and your health when clearing your sidewalks and driveways. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Katharine DeCelle, Jamad Jama, Jos...

Minnesotans respond to operations in Venezuela. Then, Mayor Jacob Frey responds to the shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent. Governor Tim Walz drops out of governor's race. The Department of Homeland Security has launched the largest immigration crackdown in US history—in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Minnesotans are finding ways to peacefully protest ICE actions. Son of slain Minnesota Speaker...