School immigration fears, a standoff over federal evidence, and a judge-ordered release. Plus, Springsteen will hit the streets of Minneapolis again soon.
Transcript
I’m Xan Holston with headlines from around the state. New benefits for laid-off workers in Hibbing, and the Boss returns to Minneapolis. But first — teachers plead with the state Legislature to strengthen school safety measures.
--ICE SCHOOL BILL--
[DR. AMY HEWETT-OLATUNDE: When ICE looms over our community, the school stops being a place of learning and becomes a triage center.]
Educators testified Wednesday that immigration enforcement near schools is driving absences and anxiety — and forcing teachers to focus on safety instead of instruction.
[DR. AMY HEWETT-OLATUNDE: When I pull them aside, they do not talk about the things kids should be talking about.]
Some teachers say classrooms have emptied out.
[JOSH HERMERDING: Before I would’ve had three rotating classes across grade levels with 35 students. Now I have four students total.]
The testimony comes as House Democrats push a bill to limit immigration agents on school property.
The DFL-led proposal says federal officers couldn’t enter school property without a valid judicial warrant. They’d also have to show identification, provide a written explanation of why they’re there and get approval from school leaders.
Even then, districts would have to keep agents away from students as much as possible.
--HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY--
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office is demanding evidence from the federal government in the killing of Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
State investigators say the FBI has refused to share key materials with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
That’s forced local authorities to gather evidence in other ways — including through online portals where residents can share photos and video.
[MARY MORIARTY: The BCA never stopped investigating. There’s plenty of information out there, we got I think 1,000 submissions to our portals… None of what’s happening with the federal government has stopped the BCA and our office from working together on gathering as much information as we possibly can.]
The county has given federal agencies until March 3 to turn over the evidence — and says it’s prepared to go to court if they don’t.
--HERRERA BERRIOS--
A federal judge has ordered the release of an 18-year-old man arrested by immigration agents last week at the Hennepin County Government Center.
Agents tackled Junior de Jesus Herrera Berrios inside the courthouse, but a judge later ruled they didn’t have the proper warrant to hold him in federal custody.
Herrera Berrios was originally arrested with nearly 60 pounds of methamphetamine. He now faces state drug charges and is on home detention with electronic monitoring while awaiting trial.
--SPRINGSTEEN TOUR--
[MUSIC: INTRO TO STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS]
[FADE UNDER]
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are hitting the streets of Minneapolis this spring.
[FADE UP: STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS]
[FADE UNDER AND OUT]
The Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour kicks off at the Target Center on March 3.
The Boss calls the tour a celebration and a defense of American democracy, freedom and the Constitution.
--MINING BENEFITS--
--KAXE NORTHERN TOWNSHIP--
And finally…
Bemidji is set to lose its northernmost area.
A judge has ruled that Northern Township can incorporate as the city of Northern — rejecting Bemidji’s attempt to annex part of the township after a years-long boundary fight.
AMPERS member station KAXE reports the township will vote for City Council members and a mayor in November and reorganize as Northern in 2027.
Township Administrator Chris Lahn — pronounced Lane — says that despite the name change, mail will still get where it’s supposed to go.
[CHRIS LAHN: People could, in theory, put either Bemidji, MN, or Northern, MN on envelopes. The ZIP code will get it to the right place, no matter what.]
Bemidji has 60 days to appeal.
For North Star Stories, I’m Xan Holston.