A MinneapoliMedia special report finds Minnesota’s mix of state aid, district lines and voter referenda concentrates school funding in wealthy suburbs, widening gaps with urban districts.

Albert Lea’s council will vote Monday on ordinances to cap cannabis shops, tighten background checks and limit smoke‑shop ownership, plus consider a City Center remodel bid.

A Minneapolis 16-year-old was detained by federal agents, flown to a Bethany-run shelter in Michigan and became unreachable for days, lawyers say.

A House committee will hear two DFL-backed bills in St. Paul this week that would ban many semiautomatic rifles and cap magazines at 10 rounds, with registration and surrender timelines for owners.

Hennepin County says federal figures about ICE jail holds are inflated and misattributed, and the county’s rebuttal has moved the dispute into federal court. The debate could reshape how jails handle civil immigration detainers.

The Minneapolis Park Board voted this week to pause evictions at properties it owns in north and northeast Minneapolis amid Operation Metro Surge; the move awaits the mayor's signature.

Minneapolis Public Schools projects a roughly $50 million shortfall for 2026 627, forcing leaders to weigh cuts and possible school consolidations.

Federal SNAP rule changes expanded work requirements and narrowed exemptions, putting thousands of Minnesotans at risk of losing benefits this spring.

St. Paul’s city council unanimously passed an ordinance banning law‑enforcement face coverings and requiring visible ID after federal immigration operations raised fears in neighborhoods.

Champlin will hold a May 12 special election to fill the Ward 3 council seat. Filing opens March 3–17 and absentee voting begins March 27.

DFL lawmakers rallied at the St. Paul Capitol on Presidents Day, saying Minnesota is still reeling from Operation Metro Surge and urging GOP reps to oppose the federal tactics. Local residents and business owners recounted detentions and economic pain.

Families and survivors gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol on Feb. 14, calling for bans on assault weapons and more prevention as lawmakers prepare to reconvene. Speakers tied the push to last summer’s deadly attack at Annunciation and statewide shooting totals.

Metal detectors are being installed at the St. Paul Capitol ahead of the Feb. 17 session; permit-to-carry holders may still pass through checkpoints with firearms.