Good morning, Minnesota. Happy Thursday!

Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕

WEATHER

🌬️ As winds pick up on Thursday temperatures will cool slightly, reaching highs in the mid-40s, with some areas in the southwestern corner hitting the 50s.

🌨️ Some accumulating snowfall will occur in the northeast regions of the state Thursday night through Friday.

Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Cancer researchers face uncertainty amid sudden proposed changes to NIH funding rules

The Trump administration wants to cap NIH funding for indirect costs associated with medical research to a set 15 percent rate. The current rate at the University of Minnesota is 54 percent. The cap is not supposed to affect the research itself, but the university said the two cannot be separated.

DFL, GOP team up on bills to battle absenteeism in Minnesota schools

Chronically absent students tend to do worse academically and are less likely to graduate than kids who attend regularly. At the extremes, it may lead to truancy officers and child protective services intervening.

NEWS ROUNDUP

💰 Federal freeze on energy and climate funding causing concern, confusion in Minnesota. Some of the money has been released since federal judges ordered the funding to be unfrozen. But weatherization programs and rebates for home efficiency upgrades are still on hold. State and local officials say a lack of communication has led to confusion and uncertainty.

📽️ Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife and dog found dead in their New Mexico home Authorities say no foul play is suspected, but an investigation is underway.

🍎 Minnesota food shelves saw nearly 9 million visits in 2024. The report shows food shelf visits increased by an average of 18.4 percent between 2023 and 2024 in Minnesota’s 87 counties last year.

🌲 Minnesotan rehired after losing Forest Service job in Colorado. Emma Schultz who is originally from Roseville, was terminated from her position but a supervisor notified her over the phone that she had been terminated by mistake because her job had been deemed “mission critical.”

🏛️ ‘Our voices weren’t listened to’: Republicans now atop Minnesota House aim to redo DFL-passed laws. With a majority on committees and control of the House agenda, they’ve had a stage to vent about laws passed under full DFL control the prior two years.

🫏 Gov. Tim Walz officially rules out a run for U.S. Senate. The two-term Democratic candidate has ruled himself out as a candidate for the seat in 2026. And he told MPR News that he’s not planning to endorse another DFLer for the post.

🏫 Minnesota Supreme Court: School may be liable for hiring staffer who sexually assaulted student. The case involved 45-year-old Aaron Hjermstad, a teacher who was hired at Best Academy in Minneapolis in 2016 and assaulted multiple students during his time at the school.

🛍️ Minneapolis unveils draft plan for former Kmart site. The city has held a series of in-person and virtual community input sessions over the years to get a sense of what residents want to see in the space.

🚓 Hennepin County reviewing deputies’ actions after video shows them punching man during arrest. The one-minute clip captures deputies yelling at the 34-year-old man to put his hand back and punching him in the head, while bystanders call out the use of force.

⚖️ Minneapolis, St. Paul join lawsuit against president over immigration enforcement. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said the president’s executive order threatens to withhold over $200 million in federal funding from the city of St. Paul because of the city’s immigration policy.

MUST LISTEN

🎧 High blood pressure and your health. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two cardiologists about the latest research on the dangers of untreated high blood pressure and the treatments and lifestyle changes that can help protect your heart.

🎧 What Medicaid cuts could mean for Minnesota children. Dr. Marc Gorelick, CEO of Children’s Minnesota, told MPR News on Wednesday about half of his hospital system’s patients are covered by Minnesota Medical Assistance — the state’s Medicaid program for people with low income.

🎧 Art Hounds recommend one-act plays, two generations of artists and art of the fjords. Art Hounds recommend Theatre Du Mississippi’s One Act Play Festival, “Reflections and Conversations: Monica Rudquist and Jerry Rudquist” and the exhibit “Sund: Notes from the Sea.”

🎧 Out to Lunch: Speaker Demuth doesn’t want to be defined by one part of her identity. Earlier this month, Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth became the first Black person and female Republican to hold the role in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Minnesota Now sat down with her in a new series called, “Out to Lunch.”

🎧 Listen to today's headlines on our Minnesota Today podcast.