MICHAEL GOLDBERG

Associated Press/Report for Ameirca

Michael Goldberg covers the Mississippi Legislature for The Associated Press, concentrating on poverty and inequality.

‘School choice’ bill sending taxpayer money to private schools stalls in Mississippi House

Mississippi House leaders say a bill that would have allowed some parents to use taxpayer money to pay for private school does not have the support to pass this session.

Speaker White, Lt. Gov. Hosemann unveil tax cuts, other proposals as 2025 legislative session starts

Mississippi’s top legislative leaders have unveiled details of their different plans to cut state taxes and potentially expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor.

Sauna enthusiasts Jeff Tait, Emily Scribner-O’Pray, Darcy Sudderth, Miki Mosman and Igor Rudenko share a 75-minute session in a Saunable mobile sauna at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, Minn., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP photo/Mark Vancleave)

As temperatures turn frigid, Minnesotans turn to saunas for warmth and community

As temperatures drop into the teens, Minnesotans have embraced sauna culture for warmth and community. Devotees say the state’s sauna mania is about more than sweat and snow.

Minnesota U.S. Attorney Andy Luger addresses reporters on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at the federal courthouse in Fergus Falls, Minn., after two men were found guilty of human smuggling charges in connection with a case that led to the deaths of a family of four from India, who tried to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a blizzard in 2022. (Steve Lambert/The Canadian Press via AP)

2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border

A jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard.

FILE - Road signage is posted just outside of Emerson, Manitoba on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Human smuggling trial witness says he shuttled over 500 Indian migrants into the US

A man convicted of human smuggling testified that he shuttled more than 500 Indian migrants across the U.S.-Canada border over four years.

The Edward J. Devitt U.S. Courthouse and Federal building is seen, where two men on trial face human smuggling charges, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Fergus Falls, Minn. (AP Photo/Michael Goldberg)

Prosecutors say 2 men prioritized money over human life leading to deaths of Indian family

Federal prosecutors say two men put financial profit over human life when they attempted to smuggle a couple from India and their two young children across the U.S.-Canada border in heavy snow, leading to the family freezing to death.

FILE - A border marker, between the United States and Canada is shown just outside of Emerson, Manitoba, on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

An Indian family froze to death crossing the Canada-US border, a perilous trip becoming more common

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks at Eagan High School in Eagan, Minn., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Ayrton Breckenridge/Star Tribune via AP)

Gov. Tim Walz vows to fight Donald Trump’s agenda while working to understand his appeal

Gov. Tim Walz has vowed make Minnesota a safe haven for the values that drove the Democratic presidential ticket he helped lead. Walz also promised to work harder to understand the concerns of President-elect Donald Trump’s voters.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate speaks during a press conference, Oct. 9, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (Nikos Frazier/Omaha World-Herald via AP, file)

Federal judge lets Iowa keep challenging voter rolls although naturalized citizens may be affected

A federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue challenging the validity of hundreds of ballots from potential noncitizens.

FILE - Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger speaks at a news conference in Minneapolis, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski, File)

Alleged Minnesota gang members charged with string of killings in federal crackdown

A federal grand jury has indicted 11 alleged members of a Minneapolis street gang on charges that include murder, conspiracy and drug trafficking.

Pro-Palestinian protester charged with assault after occupying building at University of Minnesota

Local prosecutors have charged one pro-Palestinian protester with assault while not filing charges against 10 other people who barricaded themselves inside an administrative building at the University of Minnesota.

11 pro-Palestinian protesters are arrested after occupying building at University of Minnesota

About a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested at the University of Minnesota after they briefly entered an administrative building. Campus officials issued an alert for people to leave the building Monday afternoon.

FILE - A Lexington, Miss., police cruiser is parked outside their facility near the town square, Aug. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Justice probe finds pervasive abuse and discrimination by police in small Mississippi city

A Justice Department investigation has found that police in a majority-Black Mississippi city discriminate against Black people, use excessive force and retaliate against people who criticize them.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, at podium, discusses his office's review of former Ramsey County Medical Examiner Michael McGee's work during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.(John Autey/Pioneer Press via AP)

Experts to review 7 murder cases handled by Minnesota medical examiner accused of false testimony

Prosecutors say a Minnesota medical examiner with a history of delivering false or misleading reports may have mishandled at least seven murder cases in which his testimony helped send people to prison. The cases were handled by Dr. Michael McGee.

FILE - Gov. Tim Walz signs into law a sweeping package of police accountability measures in St. Paul, Minn., on July 23, 2020, including a ban on neck restraints, in the wake of George Floyd's death. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP, File)

Takeaways from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s response to violence after George Floyd’s murder

Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be the Democratic vice presidential candidate has revived the debate over how he handled the biggest crisis of his political career. In 2020, Minneapolis and St.

FILE - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, center right, listens to artist Seitu Jones, right, talk about his stencil of George Floyd, in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, June 8, 2020. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP, Pool)

Sharp divisions persist over Walz’s response to the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd

It was the biggest crisis of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s political career. The streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul erupted after a white Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd in 2020.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Central Wisconsin Airport, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Mosinee, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate

Former President Donald Trump posted a warning on his social media site threatening to jail those “involved in unscrupulous behavior” this election, which he said would be under intense scrutiny.

FILE - This image provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota, shows cash from a bag that was left at the home of a juror in a massive fraud case, June 2, 2024, outside Minneapolis, Minn. (U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota via AP, File)

A woman pleads guilty to trying to bribe a juror in a major COVID-related fraud case

A Seattle woman who attempted to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for an acquittal in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases changed her plea to guilty in federal court.

A memorial is seen on display Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, outside the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, Minn., where two people died and at least four were injured Sunday, Sept. 1, after a man drove his car through the restaurant's patio. (AP Photo/Michael Goldberg)

Minnesota man with history of driving drunk charged in patio crash that killed 2 and injured 9

A man with a history of driving under the influence has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after he rammed his car through a Minnesota restaurant’s outdoor patio where a group of medical professionals were celebrating after work.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits the Minnesota State Fair Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 in Falcon Heights, Minn. ( Clay Masters/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)

It’s a pork chop on a stick and a vanilla shake for Tim Walz at the Minnesota State Fair

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz munched on a pork chop on a stick and washed it down with a vanilla shake as the Minnesota governor and his family visited his home state fair.

FILE - Floodwater continues to carve a channel around the Rapidan Dam, June 27, 2024, near Mankato, Minn. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave, File)

Minnesota officials vote to tear down dam and bridge that nearly collapsed

Officials say a southern Minnesota dam and nearby bridge that almost collapsed last month after a bout of heavy rain and prompted a federal emergency declaration will be torn down.

FBI Director Christopher Wray answers questions during an interview, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Brooklyn Center, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

From cybercrime to terrorism, FBI director says America faces many elevated threats ‘all at once’

The head of the FBI says America is facing heightened threats from many corners at a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling.

FILE In this June 25, 2021, file image taken from video, former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin addresses the court at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)

Ex-officer convicted in George Floyd’s killing is moved to new prison months after stabbing

The ex-Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd has been transferred to a federal prison in Texas almost nine months after he was stabbed in a different facility.

Mankato West High School's football state championship wins are painted on a storage room near the football field, beginning with the 1999 win while Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was on the coaching staff in Mankato, Minn., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Nicole Neri)

Former students and colleagues recall high school teachers Tim and Gwen Walz as allies and advocates

When Kamala Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, she highlighted his service as a congressman, soldier, teacher and coach. But she also mentioned his support for gay students at Mankato West High School.

FILE - Attorney General of Minnesota Keith Ellison answers a question during the State Attorneys General Association meeting, Nov. 15, 2023, in Boston. Ellison asked a federal appeals court Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to reconsider a ruling that upheld the overturning of a Minnesota’s law, banning people ages 18 to 20 from getting permits to carry guns in public. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Minnesota attorney general seeks to restore state ban on people under 21 carrying guns

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is asking a federal appeals court to consider restoring a state law that bans people ages 18 to 20 from getting permits to carry guns in public.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty explains her progressive approach to prosecutions, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at her office in Minneapolis, Minn. The former public defender has drawn criticism for her decisions to seek lighter sentences for violent crimes in some cases and to divert more people to programs rather than jail. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)

The top prosecutor where George Floyd was murdered is facing backlash. But she has vowed to endure

The prosecutor elected in George Floyd’s county after his murder is facing fierce backlash not even halfway into her term.

Federal prosecutors announced Thursday, July 25, 2024, that they have indicted a North Korean national in a conspiracy to hack hospitals, military bases and NASA, in Kansas City, Kan. Rim Jong Hyok is wanted by the FBI. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram)

North Korean charged in cyberattacks on US hospitals, NASA and military bases

Federal authorities say a North Korean military intelligence operative has been indicted in a conspiracy to hack into American medical centers, military bases and even NASA.

FILE - This photo supplied by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota shows cash from a bag that was left at the home of a juror in a massive fraud case, June 2, 2024, outside Minneapolis, Minn. One of the five people being charged with bribery pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, July 23. (U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota via AP, File)

Man pleads guilty to bribing a Minnesota juror with a bag of cash in COVID-19-related fraud case

One of five people charged with attempting to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases has pleaded guilty.

FILE - A police officer covers protesters who have been detained pending arrest on South Washington Street in Minneapolis, May 31, 2020, as protests continued following the death of George Floyd. Years after a movement to defund the Minneapolis Police Department and a severe officer shortage in the wake of Floyd’s killing, the city approved new a contract Thursday, July 18, 2024, that would make Minneapolis officers among the highest paid in the region. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Minneapolis approves officer pay raise years after calls to defund the police

Minneapolis has approved a contract that would make the city’s police officers among the highest paid in the region. The contract was approved Thursday.

FILE - This photo supplied by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota shows cash from a bag that was left at the home of a juror in a massive fraud case, June 2, 2024, outside Minneapolis, Minn. Two of five people charged with conspiring to bribe the juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases pleaded not guilty Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota via AP, File)

2 more people charged with conspiring to bribe Minnesota juror with a bag of cash plead not guilty

Two more people charged with conspiring to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases have pleaded not guilty.