Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕
WEATHER
🌤️ Decreasing clous will allow some afternoon peeks of sunshine Friday. Temperatures will be near normal for central and southern Minnesota, primarily in the mid-20s. Northern Minnesota will be colder, mostly in the teens.
❄️ Another clipper system is headed toward Minnesota late Saturday into early Sunday. While not a big storm, more than a couple of inches could fall, especially in northern Minnesota.
As a new Trump administration nears power, some communities are bracing for potential mass deportations and the impact they may have on schools. It’s especially concerning in small-town districts like St. James and Butterfield where most of the kids are Latino.
During the dry cold snap, lakes in the Twin Cities and around the state turned mirror-like with smooth surfaces of clear ice. Consistent cold temperatures, calm conditions and a lack of snow created perfectly natural ice skating venues.
❄️ Lack of snow has some northern Minnesota businesses struggling. A second consecutive wimpy winter in northern Minnesota is hurting small businesses that rely on snow to drive winter tourism, especially those that cater to snowmobilers.
💸 Minneapolis man charged with stealing $7.3 million in Medicaid fraud scheme. Investigators say the company doubled up on billing, saying it provided services for clients in their group homes while also billing for those same clients in other locations.
🍄 Art Friend heads to the Museum of Russian Art for a journey into the world of mushrooms. MPR News explores botanical mushroom paintings, mycophilia and the cultural magic of fungi with chef Alan Bergo, offering a guide to demystifying art and sparking connection through curiosity.
🚒 10 people have died in the wildfires spreading across Southern California. More than 35,000 acres have been burned. About 180,000 people have had to evacuate and another 200,000 people are under evacuation warnings
