I can’t believe it is already Wednesday. The first week of classes is almost over. Next, it will be graduation season. But let’s focus on what is right here, right now, which is the newsletter. So, catch up on some local news and Gophers sports.

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Alexis Letang | Editor-in-Chief | [email protected]

Top Story

USDA letter sparks uncertainty over Minnesota funding

by Maja Holmen | Junior City Reporter | Published Jan. 20, 2026

The Department of Agriculture is suspending all federal financial awards to Minnesota and Minneapolis, announced Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, on X. The funding cuts amount to more than $129 million.

In her letter addressed to Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Rollins cited the “widespread and systemic” fraud in federal benefit programs in the state and city, as well as what she called the state and city’s inability to handle federal resources without additional oversight and accountability measures.

“There is relentless proof of fraudulent use of tax dollars,” a USDA spokesperson said in a separate statement. “Minnesota must defend via payment justifications any USDA award dollars flowing through the state.”

However, the full scope of the funding freeze is unclear.

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