Alanna Elder

‘Mommy, why don’t you pick us up?’: Mother of Liam Conejo Ramos shares her story from hiding Liam and his father are currently being held by federal authorities in the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, an hour plus drive southwest of San Antonio.

In an interview with MPR News, Liam's mother gave an update on her son and her own safety. She said Liam asks again and again, “Mommy, why don’t you pick us up?” Or “Mommy, we don’t want to be here anymore. This place is ugly.”

ICE’s surveillance technology goes beyond facial recognition Federal immigration agencies are using a vast surveillance network in Minnesota – from facial recognition technology to ‘stingrays’ that collect data by impersonating cell phone towers.

Federal immigration agencies are using a vast surveillance network in Minnesota – from facial recognition technology to ‘stingrays’ that collect data by impersonating cell phone towers.

Written by Shubhanjana Das

A statement from Sahan Journal, Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association:

The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists strongly condemns the wrongful arrests of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon for reporting on a church protest in St. Paul.

Read our full statement here: www.mnspj.org/2026/01/30/m...

‘We are here’: In St. Cloud, Somali community pushes back against Trump’s ‘garbage’ comments More than 100 people gathered in St. Cloud on Wednesday for an event aimed at showing unity and solidarity. Somali residents and other community members said they felt compelled to speak out against w...

More than 100 people gathered in St. Cloud on Wednesday for an event aimed at showing community solidarity, following President Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Somalis.

Photos from St. Paul today captured by MPR photojournalist Kerem Yücel. He filed them even after being hospitalized after being injured by a less lethal munition.

Shelter-in-place order issued in NW Twin Cities metro area for suspect in 'multiple targeted shootings' Brooklyn Park police issued a shelter-in-place order Saturday morning as authorities searched for a suspect in “multiple targeted shootings.” Gov. Tim Walz said the shootings happened in Brooklyn Park...

DEVELOPING: Brooklyn Park police issued a shelter-in-place order Saturday morning as authorities searched for a suspect in “multiple targeted shootings.”

Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman, husband killed in apparent 'politically motivated assassination' Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park in what Gov. Tim Walz said “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

BREAKING: Gov. Walz says Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and are out of surgery.

If anyone is looking for a sweet pup, I found this stray today in north Minneapolis. No chip or collar. She’s staying with a friend for the night before we call MACC in the morning. I would keep her if I could!! She really is the sweetest, don’t know how anyone could let her go.

Help me grow my garden This week, the Twin Cities experienced what was likely the last frost of the season. We asked an expert for advice on spring planting.

And if you're thinking about doing some gardening this weekend, @elliemroth.bsky.social got some advice on how to get started - whether you have a few pots outside your apartment or a big yard space. www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

Minnesota girls flag football season kicks off for the first time Due to the explosive rise of flag football, girls now have the option to play football on a team.

Plus, girls flag football is entering its second weekend for 51 high school teams across the state. We talked with Sartell High School's football coach and his daughter, who's on the team. www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

Minneapolis becomes third city in the U.S. to ban discrimination based on criminal history Atlanta, Ga. and Ypsilanti, Mich. have also added justice-impacted people as a protected class.

We also heard from an Atlanta-based organizer who led a campaign to make previous convictions a protected class in that city. The Minneapolis City Council passed a similar ordinance yesterday. www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

Walker West moves into new chapter of music education The Walker West Music Academy recently celebrated the opening of its new space on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul.

Earlier in the week, we talked about another space with a long legacy in the Twin Cities art scene. The Walker West music school has a new building, which the Executive Director says is a means to offer more programming to more students. www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

Minneapolis celebrates 50 years of May Day In Minneapolis, May Day is a colorful community celebration that started back in 1975.

Remember how this week started with potential baseball-sized hail and tornados? Seems right that it's ending with the May Day celebration, which has been going for 50 years in south Mpls. How it started and what's in store this year on the noon show @mprnews.org. www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

24 Minnesotans reflect on how COVID-19 changed their lives On March 13, 2020, Gov. Tim Walz declared the COVID-19 pandemic a peacetime emergency. Five years later, Minnesotans look back on the early days of the public health crisis and the mark it left on the...

There was a time during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was hard to imagine ever moving on. Now people have, in lots of ways. But when we asked Minnesotans to remember the pandemic’s early days, they had a lot to say about what they were doing and how it changed them www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

Breaking News slide: Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announces she won't seek reelection in 2026

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday she will retire after next year, opting against a 2026 bid for another six-year term and putting a Democratic-held seat in play in an increasingly competitive Upper Midwest.

Restaurant passport gives a taste of dozens of dumplings across St. Paul Visit St. Paul hopes that the Dumpling Passport will encourage people to explore new parts of the city and new restaurants.

Last winter I had a half-baked idea to make as many kinds of dumplings as I could. Idk I followed through with maybe two? But this seems a lot easier: www.mprnews.org/episode/2025...

ICYMI, we had three housing convos on MN Now yesterday. If you're wondering how Minneapolis leaders are responding to a series of encampment fires, how new state laws affect renters in Minnesota, or what's driving shortages of homes around the country, check it out: www.mprnews.org/shows/minnes...

Thank you!!

Playoff preview: Minnesota United prepare to take on LA Galaxy in conference semifinals Minnesota United FC take on LA Galaxy on Sunday in the MLS Cup conference semifinals. Recently retired player Zarek Valentin joined the program to share what the Loons are up against.

In three days Minnesota United is playing LA in the Major League Soccer conference semifinals. New fan? No problem. Former player Zarek Valentin is helping the team get ready & he joined @mprnews.bsky.social with a rundown of the season: www.mprnews.org/episode/2024...