Minneapolis, MN
Staffers at Minneapolis VA Medical Center included in Trump’s latest federal job cuts
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs announced another round of job cuts Monday, this time impacting more than 1,400 federal employees.
It comes less than two weeks after the agency cut more than 1,000 positions. The latest round includes bargaining-unit probationary employees who have served less than a year in a competitive service appointment or who have served less than two years in an excepted service appointment, the agency said.
A former Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center employee, who wished to remain anonymous, recently shared her experience after being fired. She said she dedicated nearly six years to serving veterans.
“I love working this job, I love serving veterans,” she said.
Despite her passion for the role, this employee’s position was terminated. She was in her probation period after starting a new role.
In the email she received, the agency said, “Your performance has not met the burden to demonstrate that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest.”
However, her most recent performance review contradicts this, describing her work as “exceptional and outstanding.”
“I received an email in my inbox at about four o’clock yesterday and reported it to my supervisor, who had not been informed that I was terminated from my position, so I kind of was the one to let him know that had occurred,” she said.
Many employees at the VA are veterans themselves, and the impact of these mass layoffs is being felt throughout the organization.
Union leaders representing thousands of VA staff, including nurses, physicians and technical workers have expressed growing concern over the stress and uncertainty facing the remaining employees.
Jacob Romans, President of AFGE Local 3669, emphasized the crucial role of these workers.
“All of them are necessary to the function of this facility and for veteran care,” Romans said.
Christine Shane Beckler, President of AFGE Local 1969, highlighted the emotional toll on VA workers.
“They have been keeping focused at the VA here, keeping focused on their jobs, doing the mission that they are hired to do, but it’s been tearing them apart,” she said.
The VA maintains that the staff cuts are due to the elimination of “non-mission critical positions,” claiming that this move will allow them to redirect over $83 million annually toward healthcare, benefits and services for veterans. However, employees disagree with this characterization.
“This idea that these federal employees are sitting around with our feet up on our desk and that we’re wasting the time and energy of the American people… we work hard at our jobs and have a very important mission to support healthcare for veterans,” the former employee said.
While federal workers have the option to appeal their terminations, the former employee expressed frustration at the lack of clear communication about her next steps.
Despite this uncertainty, she remains hopeful.
“I’m hopeful that I get to go back into this role because it’s truly a role that I love and loved doing and hope to continue doing,” she said.
Minneapolis, MN
MN weather: Bright with highs in the 50s Monday
Expect a pleasant Monday with light breezes, filtered sunshine, and highs in the 50s. Temperatures cool into the 40s this week with chances for rain and snow. FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz has the full forecast.
Minneapolis, MN
Murder charges filed in 2020 shooting that took life of young mother
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A man who admitted to firing the shots that killed an 18-year-old mother in south Minneapolis back in May 2020 is charged with murder.
The criminal complaint names Malcom Chan Johnson, 33, of Minneapolis, as a suspect in the fatal shooting after he told police he didn’t know there was a woman in the car he was shooting at.
The shooting claimed the life of Arionna Buckanaga, who was set to graduate high school a month after she was shot.
READ MORE: Vigil held for woman shot in vehicle in south Minneapolis
Man charged for 2020 shooting death of Arionna Buckanaga
Fatal shooting:
Court documents show the shooting happened near the intersection of 39th Street East and Cedar Avenue South in Minneapolis at about 11:25 p.m. on May 4, 2020.
Officers found Arionna in the driver’s seat of a crashed Ford Mustang, with a gunshot wound to her head. She died at the hospital days later.
Her boyfriend, who was a passenger in the Mustang, told police he did not know who shot at the vehicle.
Investigation:
The criminal complaint states officers found an abandoned Chevy Suburban with bullet holes in the hood about a mile-and-a-half away from the scene of the shooting. The bullet holes appeared to be consistent with the driver of the vehicle shooting over the hood and accidentally striking the vehicle.
Investigators also found 32 shell casings at the scene of the shooting. About two weeks later, police found two Glock 9mm handguns in a compost bin about eight blocks away from the shooting. Law enforcement officials determined the two guns fired the 32 shots.
DNA swabs taken from the Suburban were found to match Malcom Chan Johnson and another man, Namiri Tanner. Tests on the firearms also revealed a mixture of DNA that also matched Tanner.
Court documents say authorities then spoke to a witness on March 20, 2025, who told them Johnson confessed to the shooting and that Johnson had a “gang feud” with Arionna’s boyfriend.
Confession:
Police then spoke to Namiri Tanner, who is in a federal prison in Kentucky.
The complaint states Tanner confessed to shooting at the Mustang and from the passenger’s seat and said that Johnson was shooting from the driver’s seat, firing over the hood. Tanner added that the two men abandoned the Suburban and ditched the guns in a trash can.
Authorities then interviewed Johnson on March 4, 2026. He admitted driving the Suburban and firing one of the guns.
Johnson said he thought Arionna’s boyfriend was in the Mustang, but didn’t know she was as well, and said he did not mean to kill her, according to the complaint.
What we don’t know:
It’s unclear if Tanner will face charges in the case. Tanner is being held in federal prison on a drug case. However, it appears he is due to be released next month.
The Source: This story uses information from a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County Court and previous FOX 9 reporting.
Minneapolis, MN
Railyard fire in Minneapolis: Six semi-tractors burned
The semi-tractors that were on fire in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Early Saturday, the Minneapolis Fire Department responded to several semi-tractors on fire in a railyard.
Crews respond to fires and explosions
What we know:
Firefighters arrived at the railyard at 29th Avenue Northeast and Central Avenue Northeast around 12:15 a.m. They found six semi-tractors fully engulfed in flames.
Authorities say the railroad company confirmed that there were no hazardous materials in the area, and Xcel Energy was contacted to shut down a nearby electrical line exposed to the fire.
The fire came under control in about 20 minutes, fire officials said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
What we don’t know:
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.
The Source: Information from the Minneapolis Fire Department.
-
Wisconsin1 week agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts6 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland1 week agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida1 week agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Pennsylvania4 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
Oregon1 week ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
News1 week ago2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
-
Sports4 days agoKeith Olbermann under fire for calling Lou Holtz a ‘scumbag’ after legendary coach’s death