Halima Aden, left, shops in Karmel Square with her friend Shamsa. Profile on Minnesota 'it' girl, Halima Aden - the hijab-wearing Somali girl who was discovered by the fashion world after wearing a hijab and burkini during the Miss Minnesota pageant last year. She has walked the runway for Kanye at NY Fashion Week and is being signed by the elite modeling company IMG.
Carlos gets a hug and kiss from his father Bulmaro before surgery to get a donated kidney from his brother Jeremy at University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. Both brothers are DACA recipients. Carlos has his health coverage through his job as an electrician and is living in uncertainty as plans to phase out DACA are in the works by the Trump administration.
Aubrie Olson, right, 7, of Ironton and her cousin Ruby Neuleib, 4, of Brainerd check out the view at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area near Crosby, Minn.
Bailey Sheggeby, left, works on sculpting the sand while burying Lexus Eich at Lake Nokomis Beach in Minneapolis. Highs were in the 90s and the heat index reached 100 degrees on the first day of autumn.
Vikor, a stray cat born underneath a porch, sits in his carrier with his owner Joyce Cundy, left, of Edina, surrounded by dogs before the annual Blessing of the Animals at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.
Santa Larry Jefferson smiles with Jack Kivel, 3, of Prior Lake for photos at the Santa Experience at Mall of America, which welcomed its very first black Santa this holiday season.
A bike commuter rolls down John Ireland boulevard with a downtown St. Paul sunrise as the backdrop on a snowy morning after a snowfall of about 3-4 inches in the Metro area.
Parishioners hold candles during a prayer and blessing at the end of the service during the annual Christmas Eve services with candlelight prayer and blessing at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
