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Pictures of Alex Pretti sit in front of his home on Jan. 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA medical center, died Jan. 25, after being shot multiple times during a brief altercation with Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
National

Congress hurtles toward partial shutdown after Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis

4:59pm ET
WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday urged Senate Democrats to advance the government funding package that must become law before the weekend to avoid a partial shutdown, rejecting their proposal to remove the Homeland Security funding...
In a call, Trump told Walz he’d look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota
Minnesota

In a call, Trump told Walz he’d look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota

4:24pm ET
Thousands remain without power in Tennessee with single-digit temperatures expected
Tennessee

Thousands remain without power in Tennessee with single-digit temperatures expected

4:16pm ET
Iowa

Two Democrats, one Republican suspend campaigns for Iowa congressional seats

6:57pm ET
Oregon

Oregon’s U.S. Rep. Bynum pitches patchwork ‘K-30’ plan to tackle generational affordability issues

6:53pm ET
Florida

Bill eliminating insanity defense scrapes through first committee stop

6:52pm ET
New Mexico

NM Legislature day 7 recap: Lawmakers react to fatal MN shooting; State Fair transformation bonds

6:52pm ET
Pennsylvania

The killing of Alex Pretti has Pa.’s US senators testing party lines

6:44pm ET

Stories From The States

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Continued DEI pushback at colleges and universities

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs have faced constant attacks from the current Trump administration. 

Early in his second term, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders to terminate federal programs with any mention of DEI. This included the end of funding to some National Institutes of Health programs. 

Some states pushed back, and now the Trump administration has agreed to drop anti-DEI criteria for stalled health research grants.

However, for one former Georgia professor, his state didn’t participate in this legal battle.

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Chris Fitzsimon

Host
Mallory Cheng headshot

Mallory Cheng

Producer
Headshot of NC Newsline Deputy Editor, Clayton Henkel

Clayton Henkel | Deputy Editor, North Carolina

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News

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Poll shows Montanans oppose nomination of Pearce to lead BLM
Montana

Poll shows Montanans oppose nomination of Pearce to lead BLM

6:22pm ET
Hearing on Minnesota’s lawsuit to halt federal immigration surge ends with no ruling
Minnesota

Hearing on Minnesota’s lawsuit to halt federal immigration surge ends with no ruling

6:02pm ET
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly speaks with reporters in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
National

US Sen. Mark Kelly’s lawyers say Pentagon attempting to violate his constitutional rights

6:01pm ET
North Dakota

Lawsuit accuses North Dakota lawmakers of violating constitution with term limits ballot measure

5:54pm ET
Florida

Bills to clarify whether ex-felons can legally vote advance in Senate

5:49pm ET
Environmental watchdog sues Lincoln County over public records dispute
Montana

Environmental watchdog sues Lincoln County over public records dispute

5:44pm ET
Idaho prisons are full. Costs for incarcerating inmates in jails and out of state are skyrocketing.
Idaho

Idaho prisons are full. Costs for incarcerating inmates in jails and out of state are skyrocketing.

5:42pm ET

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Commentary

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Rare Merkley, Trump agreement on housing investments
Oregon
Commentary

Rare Merkley, Trump agreement on housing investments

4:44pm ET
Randy Stapilus
When Michigan Republicans threaten courts, they’re preparing our state for federal abuse
Michigan
Commentary

When Michigan Republicans threaten courts, they’re preparing our state for federal abuse

3:39pm ET
Jon King
Iowa does not need 4-year community college degrees
Iowa
Commentary

Iowa does not need 4-year community college degrees

2:56pm ET
Greg Christy
Wolverines can’t wait: Government must designate critical habitat to stave off extinction
New Mexico
Commentary

Wolverines can’t wait: Government must designate critical habitat to stave off extinction

2:45pm ET
Mike Garrity

Briefs

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Montana

Bozeman Republican challenges Daines in senate primary

6:30pm ET
Iowa

Iowa hunters safety courses could be fully online under House proposal

6:25pm ET
Pennsylvania

Shapiro, PennDOT secretary thank public for heeding road restrictions in storm

6:01pm ET
Arkansas

UPDATED: Arkansas National Guard to help EMS crews, ambulances as state remains snow- and ice-bound

5:37pm ET
Indiana

Trump posts endorsement of Republican challenger to Indiana redistricting foe

5:36pm ET
Arkansas

Arkansas prison book restrictions on hold as agency seeks rule change

5:27pm ET

More News

Lawmakers advance proposal to cover students’ reduced-price meal costs
South Dakota

Lawmakers advance proposal to cover students’ reduced-price meal costs

5:40pm ET
Walz issues executive order for weapons screening at State Capitol
Minnesota

Walz issues executive order for weapons screening at State Capitol

5:40pm ET
Kansas bill seeks to roll back juvenile justice reforms, favoring stiffer detention sentences
Kansas

Kansas bill seeks to roll back juvenile justice reforms, favoring stiffer detention sentences

5:38pm ET
South Dakota

Legislature considers removing contact info for judges and law enforcement from public voter roll

5:26pm ET
Oklahoma

Oklahoma schools chief requests $4 billion for education but hints at need for more

5:16pm ET
Texas

Steelworkers union leader emerges as sleeper in Texas’ Democratic lieutenant governor primary

5:14pm ET
New Mexico

Hundreds rally against immigrant detention in New Mexico

5:05pm ET
Florida

Proposal to decriminalize drug testing products advances in the Florida Senate

5:04pm ET
Rhode Island

Plant City to close Providence location. New debate opens in governor’s race.

5:04pm ET

Health Care

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Bill to prohibit smoking in Iowa casinos fails to advance in Senate
Iowa

Bill to prohibit smoking in Iowa casinos fails to advance in Senate

4:48pm ET
Rhode Island

Newport lawmaker proposes comprehensive review before closing hospital maternity unit

4:39pm ET

Education

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Iowa Senate bill would freeze tuition at state universities
Iowa

Iowa Senate bill would freeze tuition at state universities

4:19pm ET
Wisconsin

UW-Madison Chancellor Mnookin set to leave for Columbia

3:06pm ET

Gov & Politics

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​Surveillance pricing​ ban among affordability bills proposed by Colorado Democrats
Colorado

​Surveillance pricing​ ban among affordability bills proposed by Colorado Democrats

5:00pm ET
Idaho

New Idaho bill would fine cities for flying LGBTQ+ pride flag

4:39pm ET

Environment

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Iowa senators advance ban on ‘geoengineering,’ weather-altering activities
Iowa

Iowa senators advance ban on ‘geoengineering,’ weather-altering activities

4:08pm ET
New Mexico

Mexican wolf protections are at risk as delisting bills move forward

1:55pm ET

Abortion Policy

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KY attorney general subpoenas gas stations over abortion ads
Kentucky

KY attorney general subpoenas gas stations over abortion ads

Jan 23, 2026
Arizona

Hobbs warns that GOP governor candidates would undo Arizona’s abortion protections

Jan 22, 2026

Economy

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HUD homelessness funding still uncertain amid lawsuits, shutdown threat, NM official says
New Mexico

HUD homelessness funding still uncertain amid lawsuits, shutdown threat, NM official says

4:22pm ET
New Jersey

NJ Transit resumes limited service after storm

4:11pm ET

Civil Rights

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Suicide prevention advocates emphasize importance of Michigan’s red flag law, mental health orgs
Michigan

Suicide prevention advocates emphasize importance of Michigan’s red flag law, mental health orgs

4:12pm ET
Florida

Killing of anti-ICE protester exposes rare GOP rift on immigration — even in Florida

2:37pm ET

IMMIGRATION

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Federal judge slams Iowa ICE agents for unlawful arrest, ‘misleading’ actions
Iowa

Federal judge slams Iowa ICE agents for unlawful arrest, ‘misleading’ actions

4:34pm ET
Arizona

Deportations to Iran delayed for two gay men, but their fates remain uncertain

4:26pm ET