2026.02.13
Feb. 13th, 2026 10:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lsandersonICE
The surge is over? What’s next for state officials after a federal immigration agent drawdown
Walz and lawmakers sounded relieved. But reckoning over the collateral fallout has barely begun.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/02/the-surge-is-over-whats-next-for-state-officials-after-a-federal-immigration-agent-drawdown/
How Minnesota became less of a sanctuary state to Tom Homan
Greater communication with county jails, a repositioning of ICE agents, fewer ‘agitators’ and more cooperation from local law enforcement was cited for the end of Operation Metro Surge.
by Ana Radelat and Brian Arola
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/02/how-minnesota-became-less-of-a-sanctuary-state-to-tom-homan/
Relief is on the way for some small businesses in Minnesota. “Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday he’ll back an aid package to support state businesses, especially immigrant-owned business, hurt by the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota over the past two months,” according to MPR News. “Walz told reporters he’ll propose a $10 million emergency fund, similar to an effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, that would offer forgivable loans targeted at small businesses.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/12/walz-readies-aid-package-for-minnesota-businesses-hurt-by-ice-surge
What are Minnesota officials saying about the border czar Tom Homan’s announcement that Operation Metro Surge will soon draw to a close? WCCO has statements from a number of our state’s leaders. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/live-updates/minnesota-ice-surge-ending-feds-say/
US paid $32m to five countries to accept about 300 deportees, report shows
Some of the world’s most corrupt countries have received huge payments in controversial third-country deportation scheme
Joseph Gedeon and Andrew Roth
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/us-paid-32m-to-five-countries-to-accept-about-300-deportees-report-shows
More News
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about, cases of sexually transmitted ringworm are on the rise in the Twin Cities, according to Bring Me The News. “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says there are currently 13 confirmed cases of TMVII, and 27 suspected cases, all within the Twin Cities metro area. The disease was first detected in the state in July 2025.” Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/twin-cities-experiencing-surge-of-sexually-transmitted-ringworm-cases
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why
Joan Wallach Scott
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/13/gender-studies-trump-epstein
Pride flag reinstated at Stonewall after it was removed by Trump administration
New York City officials raise flag at site of rebellion once again after ‘act of erasure’ by administration
Dani Anguiano
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/12/pride-flag-reinstated-stonewall
French police arrest nine people over suspected €10m Louvre ticket fraud
Prosecutors’ office says two museum workers, several tour guides and suspected mastermind among those detained
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/13/french-police-arrest-people-suspected-louvre-ticket-fraud
‘A great wee place’: the small Scottish factory crafting Olympic curling stones
All stones in Cortina are made from granite found on tiny island in Firth of Clyde and crafted in East Ayrshire
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/13/a-great-wee-place-the-small-scottish-factory-crafting-olympic-curling-stones
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward; Pagans by James Alistair Henry; Pedro the Vast by Simón López Trujillo; Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman; A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
Lisa Tuttle
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/13/the-best-recent-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-review-roundup
Week in wildlife: a thirsty raccoon, a superhero squid and a delinquent swan
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/feb/13/week-in-wildlife-a-thirsty-raccoon-a-superhero-squid-and-a-delinquent-swan
The surge is over? What’s next for state officials after a federal immigration agent drawdown
Walz and lawmakers sounded relieved. But reckoning over the collateral fallout has barely begun.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/02/the-surge-is-over-whats-next-for-state-officials-after-a-federal-immigration-agent-drawdown/
How Minnesota became less of a sanctuary state to Tom Homan
Greater communication with county jails, a repositioning of ICE agents, fewer ‘agitators’ and more cooperation from local law enforcement was cited for the end of Operation Metro Surge.
by Ana Radelat and Brian Arola
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/02/how-minnesota-became-less-of-a-sanctuary-state-to-tom-homan/
Relief is on the way for some small businesses in Minnesota. “Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday he’ll back an aid package to support state businesses, especially immigrant-owned business, hurt by the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota over the past two months,” according to MPR News. “Walz told reporters he’ll propose a $10 million emergency fund, similar to an effort during the COVID-19 pandemic, that would offer forgivable loans targeted at small businesses.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/12/walz-readies-aid-package-for-minnesota-businesses-hurt-by-ice-surge
What are Minnesota officials saying about the border czar Tom Homan’s announcement that Operation Metro Surge will soon draw to a close? WCCO has statements from a number of our state’s leaders. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/live-updates/minnesota-ice-surge-ending-feds-say/
US paid $32m to five countries to accept about 300 deportees, report shows
Some of the world’s most corrupt countries have received huge payments in controversial third-country deportation scheme
Joseph Gedeon and Andrew Roth
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/us-paid-32m-to-five-countries-to-accept-about-300-deportees-report-shows
More News
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about, cases of sexually transmitted ringworm are on the rise in the Twin Cities, according to Bring Me The News. “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says there are currently 13 confirmed cases of TMVII, and 27 suspected cases, all within the Twin Cities metro area. The disease was first detected in the state in July 2025.” Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/twin-cities-experiencing-surge-of-sexually-transmitted-ringworm-cases
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why
Joan Wallach Scott
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/13/gender-studies-trump-epstein
Pride flag reinstated at Stonewall after it was removed by Trump administration
New York City officials raise flag at site of rebellion once again after ‘act of erasure’ by administration
Dani Anguiano
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/12/pride-flag-reinstated-stonewall
French police arrest nine people over suspected €10m Louvre ticket fraud
Prosecutors’ office says two museum workers, several tour guides and suspected mastermind among those detained
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/13/french-police-arrest-people-suspected-louvre-ticket-fraud
‘A great wee place’: the small Scottish factory crafting Olympic curling stones
All stones in Cortina are made from granite found on tiny island in Firth of Clyde and crafted in East Ayrshire
Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/13/a-great-wee-place-the-small-scottish-factory-crafting-olympic-curling-stones
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward; Pagans by James Alistair Henry; Pedro the Vast by Simón López Trujillo; Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman; A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
Lisa Tuttle
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/feb/13/the-best-recent-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-review-roundup
Week in wildlife: a thirsty raccoon, a superhero squid and a delinquent swan
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world
Elena Goodinson
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2026/feb/13/week-in-wildlife-a-thirsty-raccoon-a-superhero-squid-and-a-delinquent-swan
