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Minnesota cities can't regulate guns. St. Paul is introducing an assault weapon ban anyway

St. Paul city leaders are expected introduce a gun ordinance Wednesday, as part of an ongoing push from several Minnesota cities to get the state to repeal a law that prevents stricter municipal gun laws.

10-22
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'Cancer doesn't care': Patients pushed past divisive politics to lobby Congress

Hundreds of volunteer advocates put partisan differences aside and pressed Congress to help people with cancer. The advocacy came just before the stalemate that has shut down the federal government.

10-21
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In small towns and rural communities, young voters say they feel unseen by leaders

Gen Z and millennial voters will make up more than half of the electorate in 2028. They're a crucial bloc for both parties, but many are facing daunting economic realities and feel unseen by leaders.

10-19
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Politics Friday: St. Paul mayoral candidates lay out their visions for Minnesota's capital city

Three candidates for St. Paul mayor discuss key issues in a MPR News and Pioneer Press debate. Incumbent Melvin Carter, state Rep. Kaohly Her and scientist Yan Chen address city spending, taxes, amenities and public safety.

10-17
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‘No Kings’ organizers project a massive turnout for this weekend’s protests

Organizers say they expect millions of Americans will march this weekend against the policies of the Trump administration. The protests come amid National Guard deployments in several cities.

10-17
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Trump ties crime with immigration, blurring the lines with Guard deployment

As President Trump pushes to get National Guard troops patrolling American cities, his administration has, in effect, blurred the lines between the military, traditional law enforcement and immigration enforcement.

10-17
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Government shutdown threatens food, family aid

If the government shutdown continues into November, federal officials have told states that funding for SNAP benefits will run out. That means more than 440,000 Minnesotans might not receive federal food aid and will struggle even more to feed their families.

10-17
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Tim Walz, Tom Emmer feud ratchets up

Minnesota’s top Democrat and top Republican take frequent rhetorical jabs at one another although they’re not running against one another. The spat could have negative consequences for the people they jointly represent.

10-16
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Legal experts say Kristi Noem’s airport video breaks the law. Penalties are unlikely

In a Department of Homeland Security video, Kristi Noem blames Democrats for the government shutdown. Law and ethics experts say it violates the Hatch Act, but there are rarely serious consequences.

10-16
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The shutdown is good for business for flood insurance

With the government shutdown, the National Flood Insurance Program is no longer writing new policies. It's causing problems for would-be homeowners, but private companies have stepped in to help.

10-16
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Health insurance premiums are going up next year

As U.S. health insurance costs rise, some companies are paying for all of their workers' premiums. It's a big expense — but they say it pays off.

10-16
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Judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from firing workers during the government shutdown

President Donald Trump’s administration for now must stop firing workers during the government shutdown, a federal judge ordered on Wednesday.

10-15
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Government shutdown brings back memories for Minnesotan at center of 1995 shutdown

Annette Meeks, who was deputy chief of staff for Republican U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich during the 21-day shutdown in 1995, spoke about government shutdowns with MPR News guest host Emily Bright on Morning Edition.

10-15
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Supreme Court hears case that questions major plank of voting rights

The Supreme Court on Wednesday hears a case that could strike down the last major part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that remains standing.

10-15
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Meet the candidates running for St. Paul mayor

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is facing off against four other candidates who want his job. As Carter seeks a third term at the helm of the city, his record is being scrutinized by three candidates who are newcomers to city politics and a state representative who has represented the city since 2019.

10-14
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Many fear ICE tactics are growing more violent

Videos taken by eye witnesses of federal agent encounters with immigrants in Chicago and elsewhere have shown increasingly tense incidents. Immigrant advocates and observers say they’re indicative of a larger trend of aggression among federal immigration officers.

10-14
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Rep. Omar on Fateh endorsement, shutdown and Gaza

Today, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar endorsed State Sen. Omar Fateh in the Minneapolis mayoral race. MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Rep. Omar outside Minneapolis City Hall just after her endorsement Monday morning.

10-14
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Amid shutdown, Trump administration guts department overseeing special education

Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education.

10-13
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5 things to know about the health care fight behind the shutdown

If Congress doesn't act, costs will rise on premiums for health care plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Here's what to know about the politics and real-world impact of this issue.

10-12
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About 4,200 federal layoffs begin, White House says

The Trump administration says it has started the process of issuing reduction-in-force notices to federal employees. It's not clear how many agencies are affected or how many people.

10-11
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