Jp Lawrence
Reporter
Lawrence has worked for the Albany Times Union, the San Antonio Express-News, and Stars and Stripes. He was born in the Philippines and grew up in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He joined the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2009. Big Minnesota Timberwolves fan.
Contact me with tips on stories on local governance, immigration, and interesting slice of life experiences from Mankato to Worthington to Willmar and anywhere in-between.
Latest from Jp Lawrence
Worthington approves $5M for new hockey arena, but supporters say they face a ‘tall task’ to get on the ice
The cost of new arena is projected at $21 million.
May 1, 2025
Minnesota school district facing $900,000 budget shortfall votes to find new superintendent
“Once trust is lost, we’ve lost it,” said a BOLD school board member on the decision to start a superintendent search.
April 30, 2025
Trump administration reverses course, will reinstate international student visas
The change, reported by Politico, comes amid mounting legal pressure by international students.
April 25, 2025
Rural Lions Club’s eyes opened to poverty while providing beds to Minnesota children in need
The Tracy Lions Club has donated more than 200 handmade bedframes along with mattresses and pillows.
April 24, 2025
International students fight visa revocations and detentions in new federal lawsuits
New lawsuits, including one by Concordia University students, filed in federal court in Minnesota mirror other international students’ cases around the country.
April 23, 2025
Indonesian man details surprise ICE arrest in Minnesota hospital
Critics condemn “silent” nature of his arrest as part of aggressive new trend in immigration enforcement.
April 18, 2025
Minnesota man charged with forcing teenage relative to have sex with adult women
William Roy Witt, 39, of Montevideo, has been charged with multiple felonies for criminal sexual conduct spanning several years.
April 17, 2025
Jackpot Junction casino reopens slots, bingo after cyberattack shutdown
A criminal group named RansomHub had claimed the attack.
April 14, 2025
Marshall man’s student visa revocation, detention might be linked to George Floyd protest
The young husband and father had a pending application for a green card and was working at a job allowed for graduates.
April 11, 2025
In Minnesota’s soybean country, trade war with China hits hard
Soybeans are the state’s largest export to China, and southern Minnesota farmers are worried about the effect of skyrocketing tariffs.
April 11, 2025
Ex-Minnesota high school teacher gets prison for sending child porn to undercover agent
Mankato man Daniel Janke taught in New Ulm and pleaded guilty in October.
April 10, 2025
Minnesota’s international students fear deportation, being singled out for minor infractions — even a speeding ticket
At least 27 international students from 13 Minnesota colleges and universities have had their visa revoked or immigration records terminated in the last week or so.
April 10, 2025
