Tom Homan, White House Border Czar, speaks at a news conference in Minneapolis.
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Stephen Maturen
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump, said this morning that the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending.
Why now: Homan told reporters at a news conference in Minneapolis: “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude. A significant draw down has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week.”
What's next: Homan said that "a small footprint of personnel will remain for a period of time to close out and transition full command and control back to the field office."
Keep reading... for reaction from state and local officials.
The immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is ending, said Tom Homan, the border czar for President Donald Trump.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said. “A significant draw down has already been underway this week and will continue through the next week.”
Homan addressed reporters Thursday morning at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the base for the ongoing federal immigration operation in Minnesota. It also houses a facility that the Department of Homeland Security has been using to detain people being held by ICE.
"A small footprint of personnel will remain for a period of time to close out and transition full command and control back to the field office,” Homan said. “I will also remain on the ground for a little longer to oversee the drawdown of this operation and ensure its success.”
“This surge operation and our work here with state and local officials to improve coordination and achieve mutual goals, as well as our efforts to address issues of concern here on the ground, have yielded the successful results we have came here for in the Twin Cities, Minnesota in general,” Homan said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was set to speak at a previously scheduled news conference later Thursday, to propose a federal surge response package to support Minnesota businesses affected by the immigration operation.
Fatal ICE shootings in Minnesota
On Jan. 7, 2026, Renee Macklin Good was shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis.
On Jan. 24, 2026, Alex Pretti was shot and killed by Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, also in Minneapolis. The men were identified in records reviewed by ProPublica.
Their shooting deaths ignited massive protests and calls for criminal investigations.
“The long road to recovery starts now,” Walz said on social media ahead of that news conference, reacting to Homan’s announcement. “The impact on our economy, our schools, and people’s lives won’t be reversed overnight. That work starts today.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also released a statement after Homan’s announcement: “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation… This operation has been catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses, and now it’s time for a great comeback.”
Last week, Homan announced a drawdown of about a quarter of the immigration agents in the state, but that still left about 2,000 agents in Minnesota. Local elected officials have said they’re not seeing much change in their communities so far. Homan said there are normally about 150 federal officers in Minnesota.
Homan previously said that further reductions in the number of federal agents in Minnesota would come if state and local officials provide more assistance in transferring undocumented immigrants with criminal records from jail custody to federal authorities. He also said further drawdowns would be quicker if protesters stop “impeding and interfering” with federal agents.
Walz said earlier this week that recent conversations with White House officials had led him to believe the surge of federal immigration agents to the state could end soon. He said Minnesota is gearing up to move into the “recovery” phase following an end to the federal operation that’s gone on for more than two months.
MPR News editor Andrew Krueger and digital editor Anna Haecherl contributed to this story.
The woman who helped re-energize Olympic-level cross country skiing in the U.S. has done it again. Jessie Diggins, age 34, powered through the pain of injured ribs to capture a bronze medal on a bluebird day at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.
About the race: Diggins crossed the finish line in third place the 10 kilometer interval start freestyle late, with a late, agonizing surge at the end. The pain and passion were visible on her face before she collapsed to the snow.
The backstory: This was the third straight Olympics where Diggins medaled. At the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea, she and fellow U.S. skier Kikkan Randall snapped a decades-long medal drought by winning a gold medal in the team sprint freestyle. That was America's first-ever Olympic gold in the sport, and only the second ever, following Bill Koch's silver in Innsbruck in 1976. Four years later, Diggins won silver and bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Read on... for more about the race.
The woman who helped re-energize Olympic-level cross country skiing in the U.S. has done it again. Jessie Diggins, age 34, powered through the pain of injured ribs to capture a bronze medal on a bluebird day at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium.
Diggins crossed the finish line in third place the 10 kilometer interval start freestyle late, with a late, agonizing surge at the end. The pain and passion were visible on her face before she collapsed to the snow.
"I knew it was going to be a really painful day. I was excited to have the opportunity to race," she said in a press conference after the medal ceremony.
One of her teammates, Hailey Swirbul, was the first to reach Diggins. "She's so tough, she digs deep," Swirbul said. "I worked as an EMT last winter and I saw some people in pain for broken bones and Jessie looked comparable, but she's okay."
Hailey Swirbul of Team United States, Jessie Diggins of Team United States celebrate on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on February 12, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
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Michel Cottin
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Getty Images Europe
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Diggins injured her ribs when she crashed hard in her first race, a combined classic and freestyle "skiathlon." Speaking to reporters, she said an MRI showed that no ribs were broken. "There was blunt forced trauma. It's been hard to sleep," she said.
Swedish star skier Frida Karlsson took gold in dominant fashion, crossing the finish line 46 seconds ahead of of silver place finisher Ebba Andersson, also of Sweden. Diggins edged out fourth place finisher Astrid Oyre Slind of Norway by 3.3 seconds.
This was the third straight Olympics where Diggins medaled. At the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea, she and fellow U.S. skier Kikkan Randall snapped a decades-long medal drought by winning a gold medal in the team sprint freestyle. That was America's first-ever Olympic gold in the sport, and only the second ever, following Bill Koch's silver in Innsbruck in 1976. Four years later, Diggins won silver and bronze at the Beijing Olympics.
Speaking with NPR before the Olympics, Diggins talked about her ability to power through pain and fatigue.
"I've almost never failed to mentally find the will to dig for it," Diggins said. "Basically I ask myself one very simple question. 'How do I want to feel at the finish line?' I don't like living with regrets. I don't want to ever look back and think 'What if?"
Diggins is currently scheduled to compete in three more events during the Milan Cortina Games and said on Thursday she will continue to race despite her injury. She's announced that these will be her final Olympics and she will retire from competitive skiing this spring.
Gold medalist Frida Karlsson of Team Sweden, Silver medalist Ebba Andersson of Team Sweden and Bronze medalist Jessie Diggins of Team United States pose for a photo on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 10km Interval Start Free on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on February 12, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
A couple shows their artwork at a Viva La Comunidad paint-and-sip event at East Los Tacos in 2025.
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Courtesy Andrea "Mextica” Ramirez
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Topline:
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate with your boo or your bestie.
Why now: Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends or your galentine squad, there are plenty of date ideas happening all across the Eastside.
Events: From paint-and-sip nights and cumbia-and-coffee parties to a cozy late-night dinner with that special someone, there’s something for everyone this Valentine’s Day.
Read on ... for a list of events and activities in the Eastside to celebrate Valentines Day.
This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on Feb. 10, 2026.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate with your boo or your bestie.
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends or your galentine squad, there are plenty of date ideas happening all across the Eastside. From paint-and-sip nights and cumbia-and-coffee parties to a cozy late-night dinner with that special someone, there’s something for everyone this Valentine’s Day.
Galentine’s Paint and Sip at 3rd Street Market
Looking for a crafty Valentine’s activity? 3rd Street Market and Cafe is hosting its first Galentine’s Paint and Sip with featured artist Teresa Flores. The evening will include complimentary wine, snacks and giveaways. There are limited spots available, so be sure to grab your tickets now.
Date: Thursday Time: 6 p.m. Location:4600 E. Third St. More information: Purchase tickets here.
For the Love of Resistance at Espacio 1839
This Valentine’s Day weekend, Espacio 1839 hosts the opening reception of “For the Love of Resistance,” a group exhibit that frames art as “a creative response to injustice.” The show will highlight 16 local artists, including Fabian Debora, Rosy Cortez and Jesse Fregrosso. The evening also will feature a CaminArte vendor market, with a portion of sales donated to a local rapid response team, according to Espacio 1839’s social media page.
Amor y Amistad Piñata Workshop at Latinx With Plants
If you’re looking to get crafty, Latinx With Plants is hosting its inaugural Amor y Amistad celebration with a piñata workshop. The evening will include a cocktail hour, a live DJ set by Maiden Mexico, complimentary drinks, a DIY Herbal Love Sachet bar and live screenprinting brought by Signs of Movement. Be sure to get your tickets for this limited-space event.
DIY Milagro: An Amulet of Self-Love — Vincent Price Art Museum
An afternoon workshop led by Chicana artist and altarista Rosanna Esparza will center on creating a personal milagro — an amulet of self-love and remembrance. The workshop is presented in tandem with “Ofelia Esparza: A Retrospective,” an exhibit on view now at the Vincent Price Art Museum.
Date: Saturday Time: 1-3 p.m. Location:1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez More information: For more information and free registration, click here.
Table for Two: A Valentine’s Dinner Experience at Distrito Catorce
Enjoy a Valentine’s dinner experience by Chef Jonathan Perez at Distrito Catorce. Advertised as a “three-course dinner curated to make you fall in love all over again — with food,” the evening will feature two limited-seating time slots. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Vezbi Foundation.
Date: Saturday Time: 5-7 p.m., 9-11 p.m. Location: 1837 E. First S. More information: Purchase tickets here.
Valentine’s Day with Trio Los Caramelos & Romance Nocturno at Eastside Luv
Looking for a date night with live music? Spend an evening at Eastside Luv enjoying romantic boleros, late-night drinks and performances by Trio Los Caramelos and Romance Nocturno. Admission is $20 at the door.
The “I Love East LA Festival” is back again this year, taking place over Valentine’s Day weekend. Find over 80 Latina vendors selling bilingual books, thrifted clothing, apothecary, handmade goods and other unique gifts. The festival will feature a fashion show and live musical performances from artists such as Spanish rock band Casi Natural, Chicana pop-rock artist Vanessa Mendoza, and soul band Maria Sanchez and the Midnight Groove, among many others. With Chicana lowriders, an art walk, food trucks, and the East L.A. Farmers Market, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festivities.
Date: Saturday Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: 4801 E. Third St. More information: Check their Instagram.
Amor Cafe y Baile: Valentine’s Cumbia Edition
Get your boo or bestie and your dancing shoes ready this Valentine’s weekend. Local coffee spot, Cafe Niña, is hosting a Valentine’s Cumbia with radio personality Leslie from the B, keeping the energy high. Attendees can enjoy free coffee and a free photobooth souvenir, plus a free one-hour dance lesson. Cumbia rhythms will be playing all afternoon with music by DJ Phobik. Admission is $20 at the door.
Date: Sunday Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Location: 3921 E. Olympic Blvd. More information: Check their Instagram.
KQBH’s Valentine’s Special at Open LA
Looking to enjoy a Valentine’s special music night? Join the KQBH radio station family this month for their Valentine’s Mixer. Free and open to all ages of the community, the evening will feature music by DJs Brendita Eres, DJ Amdez and DJ Rubbertoe. Free parking is available.
Date: Feb.19 Time: 7-10 p.m. Location: 2702 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. More information: Check their Instagram
Amor y Amistades Paint Night at East Los Tacos
Join local artist Andrea “Mextica” Ramirez on this guided paint-and-sip event. Attendees can pick from five pre-sketched canvases, and all art materials are included. The night will also feature a free raffle entry for each participant and will conclude with a group photo. Free parking will be available. Tickets are $25.
Date: Feb. 22 Time: 4-6 p.m. Location: 4500 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. More information: Buy your tickets here.
Noche de Corazones at Mariachi Plaza
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Su Salud Está En Sus Manos is hosting a Sweethearts Night at Mariachi Plaza. This family-friendly evening will feature a live DJ and dancing for all ages, community resources, as well as a photobooth and kids’ activity station.
Date: Friday, Feb. 27 Time: 5-9 p.m. Location: 1831 E. First Street More information: Check their Instagram
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Monica Bushman
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Published February 12, 2026 5:00 AM
Artistic director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz leads the Los Angeles Children's Chorus.
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Jamie Pham
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Children's Chorus turns 40 this year. The concert choir has won a Grammy and has performed worldwide, but the chorus leaders say accolades — or even how performances are received by audiences — aren’t the primary goal. Instead, the main aim is to create a positive, fun environment that sets the best foundation for learning.
The backstory: The Los Angeles Children's Chorus (or LACC) was founded in 1986 in Pasadena and currently still is based here, but in 2024, it opened a new choir program in Koreatown/Westlake to increase access to LACC programs. While there are auditions for LACC, they aren't about turning people away but rather where to place children (ages 6 to 18).
Read on ... for more about the LACC approach to music education and how to see the chorus perform live.
The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus turns 40 this year, with a staggering list of honors and accomplishments to its name.
Those include a Grammy win (along with the LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel) for a concert choir in 2022, performances in countries around the world, on composer John Williams’ 2017 album, on NBC’s The Tonight Show, on Disney+ with Billie Eilish (an LACC alumna) and features in documentaries, among them the Academy Award-nominated Sing! in 2002.
But the impact on the daily lives of the thousands of young people who’ve been through LACC’s choral music training program is what matters most to artistic director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, who has headed up the chorus for eight years.
The LACC approach to music education
“The audience experience,” Malvar-Ruiz says, “it's not gonna sound right, but it's secondary to me. I think about [the choristers’] experience. The first thing is to create a sense of community, a sense of belonging, no matter where you come from. ... That alone is transformative.”
There’s also the transformative power of working together to accomplish a common goal and of what happens from being able to join voices with others, which Malvar-Ruiz describes as something “physiological.”
“Just think about, in a sports stadium, when everybody sings their team song, something happens,” Malvar-Ruiz says. “ Or in a temple or in a church, when they sing a hymn or a song, something happens. ... There's some innate urge to join our voices with others. And that is also transformative.”
And the ultimate aim, Malvar-Ruiz explains, is to create a positive, fun environment that sets the best foundation for learning.
“When they come here, if we manage to laugh and to have a great time, to learn something, to create beauty together with other people, then that's my job,” he says. “The byproduct is that the audience will love it. That's why I don't worry about it. But it’s certainly the byproduct of what we do.”
And while LACC does have auditions, they’re not about finding out who’s good enough to join.
“ I really believe, we believe, that everybody can sing,” Malvar-Ruiz says. “It's just they haven't been taught properly. So the auditions are more of a placement process.”
‘Music is everything to me’
The students who make up the choir also point to the power of music to help them express themselves and their emotions. Those in the choir today have been through a lot in recent years, from the pandemic to the fires last January.
Tenth-grader Mila Gustafson, who has been with LACC since 2018, lost her family home in Altadena in the Eaton Fire. When it comes to explaining what music means to her, she says, “Music is everything to me.”
"It's a way of sharing and a way of communicating,” Gustafson explains. “[I can] express all my emotions with it, and I feel like that's very, very important.”
A satellite choir expands access in LA
Established in 2024, the LACC choir at Heart of Los Angeles, a nonprofit in the Koreatown/Westlake area, is part of an effort to increase access to LACC’s programs beyond its base in Pasadena.
Right now, it serves students in grades two through six, but the aim is to expand offerings as the students progress. And there already are glimmers of the transformative effects of choral music on the kids in the LACC@HOLA choir.
Second-grader Hadassa Lopez says she joined the choir two years ago because she wanted to learn to sing.
“At first, I was shy,” Lopez says, “because I was new. But I got used to it.”
You can hear the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus in person at their benefit concert Feb. 22. More information here.
Gustavo Dudamel will conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a new interpretation of 'Egmont.'
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Juliana Yamada
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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In this edition:
The best things to do over Presidents Day weekend include mushroom fair, Dudamel conducting Beethoven, a sound and light experience, an Altadena walking club, a matchmaking festival and more.
Highlights:
The latest installation from NOW Art is the Attune sound and light experience across multiple L.A. locations on Valentine’s Day, featuring works from artists including Sarah Rara, Odeya Nini, L. Frank and more, all focused on the theme of “Amplify Love.”
Celebrate the mighty mushroom at the Arboretum’s annual Wild Mushroom Fair. Aside from having the BEST poster for your favorite college kid’s dorm room, the event is also really fun for all my mycelium fiends out there.
Dudamel, Beethoven, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy O. Harris — need I go on? These heavy hitters are all on hand for Harris' new interpretation of Goethe’s Enlightenment tale, Egmont, narrated by Blanchett and with the Beethoven score sure to be a jewel in the crown of Dudamel’s final L.A. Phil season.
Celebrate Altadena’s rebirth with a walk that ends in coffee. Bring your dog, your friends, your kids — this event with the Altadena Walk Club is all ages and all ability (and caffeine) levels.
Everyone in L.A. knows that Valentine’s Day is the worst traffic day of the year, but since it’s a Saturday this year, maybe it won’t be so bad? There are plenty of ways to feel the love for the special people, romantic or otherwise, in your life this weekend, from the literal (a matchmaking festival) to the philanthropic (a fundraiser for Minnesota’s restaurants).
If you, like me, refuse to go out on Valentine’s, you could do the most romantic thing possible — and by that, of course, I mean get a head start on your taxes. It’s going to rain anyway. Libraries around the area are hosting free tax prep and filing clinics; find one here.
After crunching some numbers, you’re going to have to dance it all out, whether that’s to the oldies with The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz at the Cerritos Center on Friday, or to indie darlings Pearl and the Oysters at Scribble or British post-punks Dry Cleaning at the Wiltern, the latter two also on Friday. On Saturday, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with synthpop trio Nuovo Testamento at the Roxy or at Aloe Blacc’s final Blue Note show. Finally, since it’s a three-day weekend, you can stay up late on Sunday at the Forum with Cardi B or at Largo with Suzanne Vega. You can find more music picks over at Licorice Pizza.
It's almost impossible to miss the latest installation from NOW Art — the public art collective will launch sound and light experiences across multiple L.A. and Long Beach locations on Valentine’s Day, featuring works from artists like Sarah Rara, Odeya Nini, L. Frank and more, all focused on the theme of “Amplify Love.”
Wild Mushroom Fair
Sunday, February 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ayres Hall at the L.A. County Arboretum 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia COST: FREE WITH ARBORETUM ADMISSION ($18); MORE INFO
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Courtesy the L.A. County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
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Celebrate the mighty mushroom at the Arboretum’s annual Wild Mushroom Fair. Aside from having the BEST poster for your favorite college kid’s dorm room, this event is for all my mycelium fiends and Michael Pollan fans out there. Whether your taste is magic or morel, you’re sure to meet some fungis. Come on, it’s Valentine’s weekend, after all.
Dudamel Conducts Beethoven and Lorenz
Friday through Sunday, February 13 to 15 L.A. Phil 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A. COST: FROM $112; MORE INFO
Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
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Juliana Yamada
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Dudamel, Beethoven, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy O. Harris — need I go on? These heavy hitters are all on hand for Harris' new interpretation of Goethe’s Enlightenment tale, Egmont, narrated by Blanchett, and with the Beethoven score sure to be a jewel in the crown of Dudamel’s final L.A. Phil season. The program also includes the world premiere of Ricardo Lorenz’s Humboldt’s Nature and Yunchan Lim performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto. If you’re the flexible schedule type, there’s even an 11 a.m. performance on Friday.
Altadena Walk Club
Saturday, February 15, 9:30 a.m. Meet at Unincorporated Coffee 3045 Lincoln Ave., Altadena COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Celebrate Altadena’s rebirth with a walk that ends in coffee — the best kind of walk. Bring your dog, your friends, your kids — it’s all ages, all abilities and all caffeine levels.
Hard to Read
Sunday, February 15, 6 p.m. to late Variety Arts Theater 940 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Taking place within the immersive art installation What a Wonderful World (on through March 20 — more on that soon, watch this space!), this event is a roaming night of live activations and readings staged throughout the spaces of the historic Variety Arts Theater. There will be performances by 10 different artists, an all-ages coloring space and much more.
L.A. Matchmaking Festival
Saturday, February 14, 12 p.m. Benny Boy Brewing 1821 Daly St., Lincoln Heights COST: FREE; MORE INFO
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If you’re single and ready to mingle (sorry guys, I’ve been out of this game a while), the Next Fun Thing folks are hosting a huge (and free!) Matchmaking Festival for Valentine’s Day (not awkward at all, promise). There are tons of events for whatever you and your potential sweetheart are into, from an oyster-and-cider pairing to an apple-pie-eating contest to, ahem, a banana condom relay. Love is in the air!
L.A. Loves MN fundraiser
Saturday, February 14 Now Serving 727 N Broadway, #133, Chinatown COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
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Now Serving LA
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Show your support for our friends in Minneapolis at the L.A. Loves MN fundraiser at Now Serving, the cookbook shop in Chinatown. The “ultimate baker’s box” full of treats from local pastry chefs will be available for pickup; orders open on Feb. 11. Donations will be shared between Haven Watch and @thesaltcurefund, which provides emergency grants to restaurants in Minnesota.
Tiana Gee x Maydan Market
Through early March Maydan Market 4301 W. Jefferson Blvd.,West Adams COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Chef Tiana Gee of Filipino/soul food fusion pop-up SoulPhil is bringing a limited-time residency to the new Maydan Market in West Adams. Timed to coincide with Black History Month, L.A. native Gee will serve up adobo short ribs, coco nana pudding, cornbread and more reflecting her Black and Filipino heritage at the Club 104 space.
