Few states received more national media attention in 2025 than Minnesota. From Gov. Tim Walz’s administration to widespread Somali fraud in government programs, Minnesota has become one of the most talked-about places in the country.
Looking back, 2025 was filled with crazy stories that included a disputed legislative majority, a mayoral race that became national news, a state senator who was convicted of burglary, transgender issues in prisons and ballparks, and much more.
Of course, Minnesota was also shaken by unprecedented tragedy this year — the June assassination of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, the attempted assassination of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, and the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.
Undoubtedly, this year has been one of the most tumultuous in Minnesota history. Through it all, Alpha News has worked to provide news coverage governed by facts, not narratives.
As 2025 draws to a close, Alpha News would like to thank all of our readers, social media followers, and everyone who has contributed to growing Alpha News. You have helped fulfill our mission of keeping Minnesota informed and telling stories that matter.
Before this year ends, we wanted to provide our readers a list of our most-read stories from 2025. Let us know which stories you appreciated and how our coverage has made a difference.
Fourteen current and former police officers with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) have signed sworn declarations which say they believe MPD Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell perjured herself when testifying in former MPD officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial.
2. Minnesota food bank CEO steps down as legislators question her $721K salary
Second Harvest Heartland defended its executive compensation and financial stewardship, but some legislators are concerned by the “out of control” salaries at nonprofits requesting public dollars.
3. EXCLUSIVE: Vance Boelter blamed Gov. Walz for shooting rampage in confession letter, sources say
Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the investigation confirmed to Alpha News that Boelter’s so-called confession letter was intended for Kash Patel, the director of the FBI.
4. EXCLUSIVE: Convicted sex offender from Kenya avoids deportation, lands state job
“He is dangerous,” a former prosecutor said. “He has no business being paid out of our taxpayer dollars and should be back with ICE.”
A Somali immigrant living in the United States has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for raping a 12-year-old girl in Minneapolis last year. After the conviction, an Islamic center in St. Paul wrote a “community support letter” for the perpetrator.
6. Osseo principal, assistant superintendent put on leave as investigations unfold
Assistant Superintendent Kelli Parpart and Osseo Senior High Principal Sara Vernig were both under investigation at the time of the report.
“Katie Blackwell claimed all she wanted was justice. However, we got justice. She got an invoice,” said defense attorney Chris Madel.
8. Charges: ‘Strong indicators’ Mankato shoplifter was ‘preparing to conduct some sort of attack’
Mohamed Adan Mohamed was arrested in April; a BCA agent said “there were strong indicators that Mohamed was preparing to conduct some sort of attack (Mass Casualty Event) in the next twenty-four hours.”
In 2019, Mary Grace Westman petitioned Dakota County court to change her minor child’s name from Robert Paul Westman to Robin M. Westman when the minor was 17.
A human resources director for the State of Minnesota was placed on leave after sending a profanity-laced email from his official work account to an Alpha News reporter following an inquiry about racist posts on his social media page.
11. Minnesota state employee arrested on suspicion of damaging multiple Tesla vehicles
The damage to the six vehicles amounted to about $21,000, and each of the six incidents amounted to felony damage to property, police said.
12. Feds execute search warrants connected to ‘massive scheme to defraud’ a Minnesota housing program
“The Program has proved to be extremely vulnerable to fraud,” wrote a special investigator in a search warrant. “Fraud is a huge problem in Minnesota,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said at the scene of one raid.
The alleged double standard was too much for concerned citizen Jon Shanahan of Brooklyn Park, who filed a complaint this week with the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
In the bombshell petition, 50 former and current officers provided sworn declarations stating that the technique used by Derek Chauvin was part of MPD training.
15. ‘A nightmare’: Female inmate describes ‘traumatic’ experience of being housed with biological males
“As soon as I get on the other side of the fence, I’m going to throw up, literally throw up, and then start sobbing and then find an attorney,” Jayme Ali said.
“I think for me and other women it makes us feel like we don’t matter,” explained Kendall Kotzmacher.
Gov. Tim Walz bristled when a reporter challenged his claim that his administration has been busy “putting people in jail” for the massive fraud that has shaken Minnesota to the tune of a billion-plus dollars.
“It’s like there’s a culture of fraud in the state now,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson told Liz Collin, who asked if indictments for political leaders could still be coming.
19. Five charged in tire-iron assault at Robbinsdale Cooper basketball game
Five teens were charged by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office following a brutal assault that occurred during a Robbinsdale Cooper basketball game that left the juvenile victim, a Fridley player, with serious injuries.
20. Man murdered outside his Minneapolis workplace after confronting suspected thief
“This is absolutely senseless and tragic for someone to lose their life over an attempted petty theft,” said Chief O’Hara. “It’s crazy.”
