As Minnesota sees a surge in early voting ahead of Election Day, Somali community leaders and state representatives say many Somali Minnesotans are motivated to cast their ballots amid concerns about federal immigration enforcement and rhetoric targeting their community.

The attorney general’s office represents state agencies in legal matters, enforces consumer protection laws and has specific authority to prosecute crimes such as Medicaid fraud.

Prosecutors allege that James Edward O’Keefe, 42, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Cam Higby, 26, of Covington, Washington, visited several Minneapolis polling places and gave election judges other registered voters identities to misrepresent themselves while applying for ballots.

This election guide summarizes candidates’ stated priorities and relevant experience in four Minnesota races: governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general, Hennepin County attorney and Rasmey County Commissoner.

For many Somali Minnesotans, the federal search comes at a time when their community is already feeling under scrutiny. As Minnesota Democrats rally around the Minneapolis congresswoman, their message — “We stand with Ilhan” — is also becoming a broader call to stand with Somali neighbors amid heightened concerns about political rhetoric, safety and belonging.

Climate organizers brought songs and signs to Minneapolis City Hall Wednesday, calling on Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council to preserve about $4 million in funding for home weatherization and clean-energy upgrades.

Seven Minnesota federal judges are facing a complaint from the U.S. Department of Justice over comments they made to The New York Times about the impact of immigration cases on Minnesota’s federal courts.

MPD officials faced tough questions Monday over millions in overtime spending as the City Council considers a proposed $20 million increase for the department. The debate comes amid an 11.3% proposed property tax increase and ongoing police-reform requirements.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday cleared the way for the Trump administration to use a federal immigration database to help verify the citizenship of voters, but Minnesota officials said the ruling will have no effect on how elections are conducted in the state.

Disability Pride brought friends, families, advocates and community members to the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday, where the fourth annual festival centered on connection, inclusion and advocacy. Among those attending was Samrica Zogar, a Liberian immigrant and disability advocate who shares her experiences with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.

The investigation into St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is complete. City HR found that Her engaged in offensive and inappropriate behavior with city employees, created and shared offensive material, and contributed to an uncomfortable work environment. The investigation did not substantiate allegations of sexual harassment or retaliation.

Saint Paul’s proposed 2027 budget would close Dayton’s Bluff Library and Duluth & Case Recreation Center and end regular indoor recreation at Highwood Hills Recreation Center. The proposals are drawing pushback from Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson, who says the cuts amount to “concentrated disinvestment” in the East Side, while Mayor Her says the city must confront aging facilities, deferred maintenance and rising costs.

The Dayton’s Bluff branch, located in Metro State University’s building, is the only St. Paul public library proposed for closure under Mayor Her’s budget plan. Her says the location has the city’s most expensive library lease and is its least-used branch.

Nearly two dozen residents came to speak against the city’s Flock camera contract and Skydio drones. The council ultimately closed comments unrelated to the agenda, with the issue expected to continue at next week’s Public Safety Committee meeting.

A newly released Homeland Security investigation known as “Operation Puppet Master” raises serious questions about the federal government’s surveillance of unions, nonprofits and Minnesotans involved in protests. The investigation included undercover agents infiltrating meetings, events and online group chats while examining years of financial records from some organizations.

More than six months after federal agents arrested Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort at her home, her attorneys are asking a federal judge to throw out the criminal case against her, saying that the government is trying to punish her for doing her job.

Minnesota’s entire Senate delegation will look different come January. That’s because Sen. Amy Klobuchar is now the Democratic nominee for governor.

U.S. Department of Justice staff are expected to monitor polling places in Hennepin County on Tuesday, but they will not be allowed inside polling locations after the county denied the federal agency’s request for access.

Minnesotans will head to the polls Tuesday to decide which candidates will advance to the November general election — including races for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the state Legislature and statewide offices.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general and two governors in suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit says the federal government is illegally using billions of dollars in disaster preparedness and counterterrorism funding to pressure states into changing how they administer elections and enforce federal immigration law.