This week’s edition covers stories
from April 24th to April 30th, 2025.
Today’s issue is 772 words, a 7-minute read.
Hey folks, Mateo here.
This week is packed with political shake-ups, high-stakes election updates, and major cultural moments. Former state Sen. Melisa LĂłpez Franzen has entered the race for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat, setting up a competitive DFL endorsement battle. Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz is hitting the road on a national town hall tour, rallying Democrats in swing districts ahead of key elections. In the sports world, Minnesota standouts are making waves in March Madness, while Playboi Carti fans finally have his long-awaited album in their hands. And on a more troubling note, the latest DEI purge under Trump’s influence has led to the erasure—and subsequent reinstatement—of Jackie Robinson’s military history from the Department of Defense’s website. With so much unfolding, let’s dive into this week’s biggest stories.
Keri Heintzeman Claims
Victory in North-Central
Minnesota Senate Special Election
in the race for Senate District 6. 📸 Lorie Shaull/KAXE
The victory not only keeps the seat in Republican hands but also makes Keri and her husband, Rep. Josh Heintzeman, one of two married couples currently serving in the Minnesota Legislature. In her statement, she emphasized her commitment to “protecting freedoms” and the “wise spending of tax dollars.” With just a few weeks left in the legislative session, Heitzeman is expected to be sworn in soon, bringing a new voice from greater Minnesota to the Capitol.
Severe Weather Threat
Falls Short in Minnesota
Despite warnings of a potentially high-impact storm system earlier this week, much of Minnesota, and especially the Twin Cities metro, escaped the worst of Monday’s severe weather. Meteorologists had warned of the possibility for large hail, damaging winds, and even strong tornadoes across the state, prompting early school closures and even cancellations in anticipation. In southern Minnesota, that forecast did come to life in places like Kenyon and Owatonna, where funnel clouds were spotted and a tornado reportedly caused damage to buildings. However, many Twin Cities residents were left surprised when the evening passed without a major storm. While parts of the state saw hail as large as golf balls and winds strong enough to knock down trees, the metro largely experienced only scattered rain and power outages. In the end, what was expected to be a dangerous weather event for many turned out to be a near-miss for much of the state.
Minneapolis Stands Firm as Trump
Targets Sanctuary Cities
Minneapolis is once again at the center of a national debate after President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening to strip sanctuary cities of federal funding. The order, part of a broader push to tighten immigration enforcement, instructs the Justice and Homeland Security departments to identify jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities, putting more than $54 million in federal aid to Minneapolis at risk. Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized the city’s refusal to shift police focus away from violent crime to enforce immigration laws, citing state law and constitutional protections. That funding currently supports key programs contributing to affordable housing, opioid response, and public safety.
While the White House argues that sanctuary policies obstruct federal efforts to remove public safety threats, local leaders warn that cooperating with ICE undermines community trust and strains already-limited local resources. A federal judge has already blocked similar actions, siding with Minneapolis and 15 other cities. For families who are protected by these programs, the executive order brings real uncertainty, and for immigrant communities, it’s another reminder of how high-level political decisions can directly shape life on the ground in Minnesota.
Wolves Advance to
Conference Semifinals
of the NBA playoffs 📸 The Athletic
The Timberwolves are rolling! Last night, they capped off an impressive 5-game series against the Los Angeles Lakers, closing out the series 4-1 in Game 5. Rudy Gobert had a career night after scoring only 14 points through the first four games, tallying an impressive 27 points and 24 rebounds in the win. Even with the star power of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the Lakers were ultimately not able to compete with the Wolves. They now look forward to a few days of rest before matching up in the second round against the winner of the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors series that will wrap up this weekend. Go Wolves!
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Mateo and the NewPrensa team
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Hi, friend: Isabella and Mateo here!
We’re Communications Specialists by day and
filling out our March Madness brackets by night!
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