The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.
More from Politics
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Minnesota benefactor runs out of funds and energy to help Afghan families who aided U.S.
Caroline Clarin worked with Afghan men on a USDA agricultural program.
AuthoredKaren Tolkkinen
AuthoredKaren TolkkinenJanuary 25, 2025
Business
Minnesota’s more than 20,000 federal workers worried for their jobs after Trump’s first week
Workers are worrying about hiring freezes on border patrol operations, waiting for agency directives and seeing how layoffs will affect their positions.
January 25, 2025
Politics
How does Minnesota combat Medicaid fraud, and what could change?
The state’s massive Medicaid program is at the center of recent fraud prevention discussions. What exists to fight fraud now, and what are lawmakers eyeing?
January 25, 2025
News & Politics
How many Minnesotans die in assisted-living facilities due to alleged maltreatment? State lacks data totaling deaths.
No one has tracked total numbers of nursing home and assisted-living maltreatment deaths. An advocacy group is starting its own review, finding 26 deaths the past two years.
January 25, 2025
Nation
Trump proposes 'getting rid of FEMA' while touring disaster areas
President Donald Trump surveyed disaster zones in California and North Carolina on Friday and said he was considering ''getting rid of'' the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation's central organization for responding to disasters.
January 25, 2025
Politics
Saudi crown prince says kingdom intends to invest $600 billion in US during call with Trump
Saudi Arabia's crown prince said the kingdom wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, comments that came after President Donald Trump put a price tag on returning to the kingdom as his first foreign trip.
January 25, 2025
Politics
State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide
The State Department ordered a sweeping freeze Friday on new funding for almost all U.S. foreign assistance, making exceptions for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt.
January 25, 2025
News & Politics
Supreme Court sides with DFL and Simon, says 68 House members needed for floor action
Republicans say Democrats should return to the Capitol, but DFL leaders praised Friday’s court decision.
January 24, 2025
News & Politics
DFL residency case has thrown Minnesota legislative session into doubt. Could it have been avoided?
The DFL’s decision to back Curtis Johnson for a suburban House seat has haunted the party since a judge ruled Johnson didn’t live in the district, turning a tie into a 67-66 advantage for Republicans.
January 24, 2025
Politics
Senate to vote on Minnesota native Pete Hegseth’s confirmation as soon as Friday night
Minnesota Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar plan to oppose confirmation.
January 24, 2025
Politics
What JFK assassination files are still classified? Trump's order could bring them to light
Millions of documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas have already been made public, but President Donald Trump has ordered the release of thousands of still-classified files.
January 24, 2025
Twin Cities Suburbs![A kayaker paddled on Maple Marsh Lake Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Kelly Land and Cattle Co. in Marine on St. Croix, Minn. The 2,600-acre Kelly Farm will be sold to the DNR and Washington County in two phases this summer and fall. The land will become the Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area. It's the largest ever land purchase for the state's Outdoor Heritage Fund, and the area will become the largest piece of public land in Washington County. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/EKGGUZMSSVXLMAB434DKKIUOLQ.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
A cattle ranch in Washington County closed to become a park. Now the DNR seeks input on plans.
The 1,820-acre tract of woods, wetlands, prairie and lakes known as Keystone Woods could host hunting, hiking, and even dog training.
January 24, 2025