Federal funding cuts

Much of DOGE’s funding cuts to tribal communities came to programs focused on environmental efforts, agriculture and economic development, the Brookings study found.

Hospitals are gearing up for what could be a bruising budget year at the Legislature in 2027, as efforts to counteract federal Medicaid cuts will run into the state’s own long-term fiscal challenges.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced its first Food to Farm Security Grant recipients on Sept. 28, 2026. The new grant provides funds to distribute local produce to communities for free.

The Northern Research Station was among several sites slated for closure in March 2026 when the Trump administration announced a major reorganization of the service.

The delayed Forest Service grants would have supported prescribed burns and other fuel-reduction efforts on thousands of acres near the Echo Trail, which has borne the brunt of this year’s fires.

The feds say they need more documentation from those states to support some Medicaid claims for services that are at high risk for fraud.

Between 36% and 41% of various services provided by the surveyed groups, ranging from healthcare to legal assistance, “have been or will be reduced due to funding cuts,” according to the report.

The five-month process reviewed Medicaid providers in 13 service areas in all 87 counties, with more than 3,400 providers disenrolled by the state's Department of Human Services.

Following high-profile fraud cases, Minnesota will join other states in overhauling systems to comply with stricter Medicaid work requirements.

As KAXE celebrates 50 years of community radio, Heidi Holtan talks with John Barth and Kevin Anderson about the early years.