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Governor Walz celebrated new data from the Minnesota Department of Education showing Minnesota’s Class of 2025 achieved the highest four-year graduation rate in state history at 84.9%, marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking progress.
“This is a moment worth celebrating,” said Governor Walz. “Decades in the classroom have helped inform many of the goals I’ve set and the policies we’ve passed over the last seven years to support our students, teachers, and parents. Every student who receives that diploma is better equipped to navigate the challenges of landing a job, pursuing higher education, and building a future they feel excited about. Congratulations to an incredible class of students.”
Graduation rates increased across nearly every student group, with notable gains among American Indian, Black, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino students, as well as students receiving special education services and those from lower-income families. The graduation rate for American Indian students increased by nearly 5 percentage points from last year and has risen 9 percentage points since 2021, one of the largest gains of any student group. Achievement gaps also continued to narrow in many areas.
“The progress we’re seeing among Native students is meaningful and long overdue,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “This represents real momentum and reflects intentional investments in education. While we celebrate this progress, we remain committed to continuing this work until every student has the support and opportunity to graduate and thrive.”
 Governor Walz attended the ribbon cutting for Solventum's $200 million expansion in Eagan, retaining an estimated 2,000 Minnesota jobs. The expansion was supported by nearly $13 million in business development funding from the State of Minnesota.
“Solventum’s expansion reinforces Minnesota’s track record as a globally recognized leader in manufacturing, health care innovation, and medical technology,” said Governor Walz. “We’ve worked with Solventum every step of the way on this announcement, retaining thousands of high-paying jobs and expanding opportunities for innovation, ensuring Minnesota remains the best state in the nation for health care.”
Solventum, a leading global health care company, invested over $200 million to relocate and consolidate staff and operations to a state-of-the-art research and development facility in Eagan from its legacy locations at 3M’s Maplewood campus.
 Last week, Governor Walz signed an executive order establishing a Governor’s Council to document the impacts of Operation Metro Surge and Operation PARRIS. The council will create a public record of both the harm endured and the generosity and resilience of Minnesotans across the state.
The council, composed of leaders with a range of expertise and perspectives, will gather testimony, data, and firsthand accounts to ensure people’s experiences are preserved and heard. It will work to make recommendations to prevent future harm and support the state’s long-term recovery.
“Minnesotans know what happened in their communities, but too many stories have yet to be heard, documented, and shared,” said Governor Walz. “For months, families lived in fear, children were separated from their parents, and our neighbors were subjected to racial profiling and unlawful detentions. At the same time, people showed up for one another with compassion, courage, and resilience. This council will make sure we document Minnesota's history.”
Over more than 10 weeks, federal operations caused widespread harm across Minnesota, including family separations, civil and human rights violations, and economic disruption. In response, Minnesotans of all walks of life came together to support one another and advocate peacefully for their neighbors.
The council will include up to 15 members and partner with The Advocates for Human Rights to collect stories and hold public meetings. The council does not have a law enforcement role and will not interfere with ongoing investigations. Individuals can apply to be on the Governor’s Council through the Office of the Secretary of State.
This executive order is part of ongoing efforts to demand transparency, accountability, and justice for people in Minnesota impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions. The Governor continues to demand impartial investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
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