Minnesota Governor signs universal free school meals bill into law despite opposition.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law that provides free breakfasts and lunches to students at participating schools, making Minnesota the fourth state in the US to do so. The program will cost the state close to $400 million in the first two years and will cover the cost of meals for all students, regardless of household income. The legislation aims to reduce childhood poverty and hunger insecurity, and prevent lunch shaming practices. The program will start at the beginning of the next academic year in September.