Good morning, Minnesota.

Sad news out of Washington this morning where everyone aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter is feared dead.

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

WEATHER

🌞 Thursday will bring the warmest day of this month across much of Minnesota. High temperatures will rise into the 50s once again across southern Minnesota and parts of the Twin Cities could hit 50 degrees Thursday afternoon.

Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Despite Trump immigration policy changes, experts say the H-2A program is on solid footing

The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific requirements to bring foreign workers to the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs. Amid widespread changes to immigration policies, the program so far remains unaffected by President Trump’s recent orders and reforms.

74-year old ultra runner pulls out of Arrowhead 135, only six miles from finish

Michael Koppy, the 74-year old from the Duluth area who was vying to become the oldest person to finish the Arrowhead Ultra 135 on foot, pulled out of the race Wednesday afternoon because of severe back pain, only about six miles from the finish.

NEWS ROUNDUP

📝 Proposed trims to Minnesota’s disability waiver program concern people reliant on services. The disability waivers system — linked to the state’s Medicaid program — allows people to access care such as an aide, transportation or other support. That way people can live more independently and not in an institutional setting. Around 70,000 people were on disability waivers in 2023.

⚖️ Main suspect pleads guilty in mass shooting at Minneapolis punk show. After previously pleading not guilty, Dominic Burris changed his plea to guilty for aiding and abetting both second-degree murder in the death of August Golden and first-degree assault against Tonio Alarcon-Borges.

🏫 Lakeville school board votes to remove inclusive posters from district buildings. The posters, designed by staff with input from students in 2021, have slogans like “everyone is welcome,” “we are stronger together,” and “Black lives matter.” Critics said they’re too political.

🎻 Minnesota Orchestra reports $3.8 million operating loss in annual report. In a press release, Brent Assink, the orchestra’s interim president and CEO, described the organization as “still climbing back from the pandemic,” while also achieving milestones.

🚓 Minneapolis will consider settling another Chauvin excessive force lawsuit. The Minneapolis City Council will consider the settlement during a closed session Thursday. The amount the city agreed to pay has not yet been made public.

🧑‍🏫 Minnesota reading, math scores stagnant five years after the pandemic. Newly released national data shows Minnesota student test scores have not risen significantly in math and reading over the last two years, although the state’s students continue to outperform national averages.

MUST LISTEN

🎧 Out to Lunch: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan sees reflection, even on the hard moments, as a gift. In a new series we are calling Out to Lunch, we sit down for a meal with people from Minnesota news and culture to get to know them better.

🎧 Frey formally launches bid for third term as Minneapolis mayor. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Wednesday he’ll seek a third — and final — term as mayor and that he wants to continue his administration’s work overhauling the police department and building more affordable housing.

🎧 Art Hounds recommend a flutist in Lakeville, a musical in St. Paul and jazz in Rochester. Art Hounds recommend Coffee Concert at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, the musical “’Til Death” and the Thesis Beer Project

🎧 Rumors of mass immigration arrests contributing to ’campaign of fear.’ Social media posts alleging that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents are detaining immigrants in Minnesota have circulated widely in the past two weeks, but many of these reports are unconfirmed.

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