Up First from NPR DOJ Targets Minnesota Officials; Harsh Ukraine Winter; AI Harmful In Child Education
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Jan 17, 2026 
Kat Lonsdorf, an NPR reporter focused on local responses to federal immigration actions, discusses the DOJ investigation into Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Joanna Kakissis, reporting from Kyiv, highlights the brutal winter conditions facing Ukrainians due to energy strikes, revealing the impact on civilian life. Corey Turner shares insights from a Brookings study on the dangers of generative AI, warning it can hinder children's critical thinking and social-emotional development, emphasizing a need for better regulations.
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Minneapolis On Edge Over Immigration Raids
- Minneapolis is tense with thousands of federal immigration officers and worried residents preparing to monitor unfamiliar cars.
- Kat Lonsdorf reports local skepticism, protests, and a looming anti-immigration march that could escalate tensions.
Scale And Legal Limits Of Federal Response
- About 2,500 federal immigration officers are operating in Minneapolis, outnumbering local police and prompting clashes.
- A federal judge limited retaliation against peaceful protesters while talk of invoking the Insurrection Act remains legally disputed.
DOJ Probe Raises Political Stakes
- The DOJ probe into Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey centers on public statements during ICE raids and has fueled political backlash.
- Walz framed the inquiry as weaponizing the justice system and urged calm amid ongoing protests.