Honoring the Life and Work of Kari Dziedzic

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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.

ANCHOR: The state honors the life and work of a former legislator. Then, federal agents find suspected immigration fraud cases in the Twin Cities. And, school officials discover a disturbing enrollment.

I'm Gracie J.

Federal immigration officers uncovered suspected fraud in 275 cases during Operation Twin Shield, a large-scale investigation across the Twin Cities. Last month, officers reviewed over 1,000 immigration cases, conducted more than 900 site visits, and found signs of fraud or security risks in nearly half of them. The alleged fraud included marriage and family-based petitions, employment authorizations, and certain parole-related requests. Officials say the effort is part of a national initiative to strengthen fraud detection and protect public safety.

In today's main story, Former Minnesota Senate leader Kari Dziedzic was known for bringing people together across the aisle. A newly renamed Minneapolis bridge now honors her for doing just that. Here's Xan Holston with the story.

Mohamud Noor: I just wanted to say thank you for joining us today as we dedicate this bridge in memory of Senator Kari Dziedzic.

Xan Holston: During a sunny morning ceremony, State Representative Mohamud Noor joined a who's who of local Democrats to honor the longtime lawmaker service. The Tenth Avenue Bridge spanning the Mississippi River between the University of Minnesota's East and West Bank campuses, now stands as the Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic Memorial Bridge.

Mohamud Noor: She was our strongest leader that we have ever had. The way she bridged communities across party lines and the way she brought people together, this is why we're here today.

Xan Holston: Dziedzic represented Northeast Minneapolis and parts of the University of Minnesota. She was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and won re-election three times before stepping down in early 2024. She died later that year after a two year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 62.

Scott Dibble: It is impossible to capture the full measure of Kari in just a few words. But what most stands out about her, in my mind, is her kindness.

Xan Holston: State Senator Scott Dibble said Dziedzic's compassion was matched by her attention to detail, both in her work and the way she listened to people.

Scott Dibble: She read every word of every bill. So then, when you talked about the page and the line and the chapter, she had those details in her mind.

Xan Holston: Colleagues on both sides of the aisle said her level of focus made her one of the legislature's most trusted negotiators, able to win support from unlikely allies. As Senate Majority Leader, Dziedzic had guided one of the most ambitious sessions in recent Minnesota history. Under her leadership, Democrats used their slim majority to pass universal school meals, protect abortion and gender care, legalize recreational cannabis and create a paid family leave program.

Scott Dibble: But she did not work to advance her own name or her own career. She completely lacked guile. Kari Dziedzic was completely about being in service to other people.

Xan Holston: Minneapolis city council member Aurin Chowdhury said that Dziedzic inspired a new generation of public servants.

Aurin Chowdhury: And I know I'm not the only one. She gave that first opportunity to there's just a line of young people who got their start in local government and public service because of Senator Kari Dziedzic.

Xan Holston: Chowdhury said Dziedzic's mentorship shaped a community that continues to carry her values forward.

Aurin Chowdhury: We were very, very lucky to witness it, and we were lucky to know her. And to her family, thank you so much for sharing her with us and the state of Minnesota.

And State Senator Erin Murphy said Dziedzic's leadership was rooted in something deeper than politics.

Erin Murphy: I think it is important in this moment to remember the human capacity that she brought to this work. Yes, she was a tireless advocate. She knew policy better than anyone, but at her core, she cared about each of us, and that's why we're all here today to commemorate and honor her with this plaque.

Xan Holston: For North Star Stories, I'm Xan Holston.

ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.

Authorities are investigating an adult man who allegedly used falsified documents to enroll at White Bear Lake High School, northeast of Minneapolis. In a letter to parents, the school principal said staff, students, and families raised concerns that led to the discovery. The man, believed to be over 21, is now in police custody. The incident has prompted safety concerns in the community as officials review how the false enrollment went undetected.

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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.