2026.04.08

[lsanderson]

Medicaid covers treatment for thousands of Minnesotans with substance use disorder. Is that about to change?
In the first of three stories supported by the Pulitzer Center, MinnPost’s mental health and addiction columnist Andy Steiner reports on how the Big Beautiful Bill could disrupt substance use treatment for patients and providers.
by Andy Steiner
https://www.minnpost.com/mental-health-addiction/2026/04/medicaid-substance-use-disorder-treatment/

Why a bill to help Minnesota hospitals may be doomed and why it matters
The Senate easily passed the measure on drug discounts for hospitals. But House Republicans do not want the bill to be enforced.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/04/bill-helping-minnesota-hospitals-doomed/

Data obtained by Sahan Journal shows that of the 3,400 or so people detained in Minnesota and sent to Texas, 530 remained there as of early March. “Several local attorneys say those detainees are saddled with several challenges, including unsafe living conditions at detention facilities, difficulty accessing legal help since many Minnesota attorneys aren’t authorized to work in Texas, and a federal appeals court decision that allows the government to keep detainees in custody.” Via MinnPost
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/minnesota-immigration-detainees-transported-el-paso-texas/

ICE agents shoot man in car in northern California
Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez hospitalized after shooting in rural Patterson as officials say investigation under way
Uwa Ede-Osifo
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/07/ice-agents-shooting-california

There was another turn in the Medicaid funding saga this week: A federal judge declined to block the federal government from halting more than $240 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota, reports MPR News. “In an order issued Monday, [Judge Eric] Tostrud said the courts need to wait for federal agencies to finish their own investigations and make a final decision on the funding freeze.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/07/judge-declines-block-white-house-pausing-medicaid-payments-minnesota

Minnesota state Republican Reps. Elliott Engen and Walter Hudson are going to be stripped of their committee assignments following Engen’s arrest and DWI-related charges (Hudson was in the passenger’s seat), according to a legislative source who informed CBS News. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/engen-hudson-committee-assignment-removal-dwi/

Plucky kids, love stories and troubled Swedes: What this year’s international film festival has to offer
The 45th annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival runs from April 8-19 at select venues across the Twin Cities.
by Sheila Regan
https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2026/04/plucky-kids-love-stories-and-troubled-swedes-what-this-years-minneapolis-st-paul-international-film-festival-has-to-offer/

Roughly half of New Yorkers approve of Zohran Mamdani as he approaches 100 days as mayor – poll
Marist poll shows that 48% of city residents approve of Mamdani’s performance while 55% view him favorably
Anna Betts in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/08/new-york-mayor-zohran-mamdani-poll

Chile’s far-right government rips up plan for memorial at Pinochet torture site
New administration reverses expropriation of property founded by ex-Nazi Paul Schäfer, leaving victims in limbo
John Bartlett in Santiago
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/chile-torture-paul-schafer-villa-baviera

The tiny Queensland town of Cooladdi, population two, has a pub and a post office. It could be yours for $400,000
The new owner will serve as the Australian town’s postie, publican, cook and shopkeeper
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/08/tiny-queensland-town-cooladdi-on-the-market-new-owner

‘Coming out in the 90s? You might as well say ‘I love cock!’’ Nathan Lane on gay life, Broadway and defying stereotypes
The brassy actor’s performance in Death of a Salesman is the crown jewel in a life spent on stage. He says it could be his last Broadway role
Juan A Ramírez
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/ng-interactive/2026/apr/08/nathan-lane-interview

The Boys season five review – it’s the final outing for this gory splatterfest
As the extraordinary superhero satire comes to an end, a mighty showdown has terrifying parallels with modern America. What a horrifying pleasure it has been to watch
Lucy Mangan
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/apr/08/the-boys-season-five-review-prime-video

Cats: The Jellicle Ball review – ingenious musical revival goes full queer ball
Broadhurst Theatre, New York
After a disastrous 2019 movie, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s easily ridiculed 80s smash hit has now been transformed into something thrillingly new
Richard Lawson
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/apr/07/cats-the-jellicle-ball-musical-review

Modern heroes and a ravaged Earth: reboot of 1950s space comic Dan Dare has liftoff
Beloved characters reinvented in graphic novel coming later this year – just as interest rockets in all things space
David Barnett
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/apr/08/dan-dare-reboot-space-comic

How to not embarrass yourself in a British pub (Paywalled?)
Mike MacEacheran
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260407-how-to-not-embarrass-yourself-in-a-british-pub

We want to prove that even the worst photographer can take great photos of Iceland. Is that you? Icelandair
https://www.icelandair.com/flights/campaign/really-bad-photographer/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WANTED&utm_content=W15

Human skull discovered during Easter egg hunt near Los Angeles
Authorities launch investigation after human remains found at DeForest Park in Long Beach
Maya Yang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/07/human-skull-found-near-los-angeles-easter