REAL ID enforcement begins May 7
After twenty years of issuance, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security will be enforcing the implementation of the REAL ID Act. To enforce, federal agencies will only accept REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards for those 18 years or older upon accessing federal facilities. This includes TSA checkpoints. To apply for REAL ID in Minnesota, people must present a document that proves their full legal name, date of birth, and legal presence, two different documents that show their current residence address, and their social security number. Learn more at dps.mn.gov.
DOGE cuts NIH funding, affects universities nationwide
Last month, the Department of Government Efficiency capped overhead costs covered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 15% of a total grant. Research institutions, including universities, often use 30 to 60% extra in grant funding to cover overhead expenses of maintenance and salaries for workers. In 2024, the NIH granted the University of Minnesota 768 grants and about $380 million in funding. Nationally, graduate education programs are seeing the worst effects with more selective institutions reporting that they plan to reduce admissions and others freezing hiring. Currently, a federal judge has delayed the proposed cuts in Minnesota.
Trump administration to terminate national park leases in MN
President Donald Trump plans to end leases for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) headquarters in St. Paul and the visitor center and exhibits located in the Science Museum of Minnesota by Dec. 31 and Sept. 30, respectively. Congress established the MNRRA as a national park in 1988 and it stretches 72 miles of the river through the Twin Cities. The MNRRA has already laid off probationary employees in response to the budget cuts.
Lawmakers propose bill expanding the Direct Admissions program
The Direct Admissions program is a state program that notifies high school seniors which Minnesotan colleges they can attend without requiring applications in an effort to increase students’ access to higher education and keep more undergraduate students in state. The Office of Higher Education piloted the Direct Admissions effort three years ago and about 180 Minnesota high schools currently participate, including Edina High School. The bill, introduced by Senator Heather Gustafson, would require all Minnesota high schools to be a part of the Direct Admissions program by the 2029–30 school year.

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on March 27, 2025