Elisabeth Gawthrop

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Elisabeth Gawthrop |Craig Helmstetter

President Donald Trump’s administration has been reshaping the federal government since assuming office in January. Among the dramatic changes: Layoffs of thousands of federal workers. After two court cases halted the layoffs last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration could move ahead with its firing of probationary employees.

2 months ago | mprnews.org | Lisa Ryan |Elisabeth Gawthrop |Kyra Miles

In celebration of Black History Month in February, MPR News is highlighting Black history throughout the state. From a fur trader believed to be one of the first African descendants in territory that is now Minnesota, to streets and parks renamed in 2024 after Black community leaders, these sites span the state and the centuries. Southern MinnesotaGibbs Elementary School in Rochester is named after George W. Gibbs Jr., the first known Black person to set foot in Antarctica.