Experts say children are absorbing the fear and uncertainty of ICE operations — even when they don't understand all the details.

Why it matters: Experiencing traumatic events in childhood can create lasting physical and mental health challenges that extend into adulthood, Sita Patel, a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University, tells Axios.

The big picture: The Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities has directly affected countless children, with multiple school-aged kids detained and thousands now attending school from home amid fears they or their caregivers might be caught in agents' dragnet.

Between the lines: Mental health research previously focused on how isolated critical events — like a car accident — can affect a child, Patel notes.

• But more recent studies show that chronic stressors have a profound impact on the nervous system and a wide range of other health outcomes.
• Exposure to constant media coverage, unpredictability and violence creates stress and trauma that Patel says "will absolutely have an impact on many people's life course in terms of health and capacity to contribute and thrive."

Worth noting: Discussions between parents and children will be different for immigrant families or for children who see and hear about the surge daily at school — compared with children who encounter the issue primarily through media, Patel says.

• Families can work together to create both emotional and practical safety plans, Patel explains — framing them like familiar school safety drills to help children feel prepared.
• Patel advises "reducing the volume of exposure to things that are stressful and traumatic — or if that's not possible — balancing those out with things that promote joy," which may include spending time outside or exercising.

What to try: Omar Gudiño of the Child Mind Institute advises parents to approach conversations gently and broadly.

• Start by asking kids what they've heard and what they're thinking, which often leads to a more organic discussion, he says.
• Asking kids about their specific fears can help parents find the root cause of excessive worry, and decide whether reassurance, context or distance from the news is most useful, he says.

The bottom line: Any significant change in your child's habits — including sleeping, eating or behavioral health — may warrant seeking outside support, Patel advises.

Go deeper

Thousands of bicyclists on Saturday pedaled past the site where Alex Pretti was shot as part of an 8.3-mile ride.

The ride, which honored the former VA ICU nurse who was shot by federal agents on Jan. 24, was organized by Angry Catfish bike shop, where Pretti was a regular.

• Organizer Jarrod Alder told MPR News that 250 similar rides took place in 14 countries, including this one in San Francisco:

🎒 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father were freed from immigration detention Saturday by a federal judge. (Axios)

• In his order, the Texas judge cited the Bible and the Declaration of Independence as he tore into the Trump administration's "ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas."

🏛️ A different federal judge declined to immediately pause "Operation Metro Surge," though the lawsuit from state and local officials challenging the immigration enforcement surge will continue. (Axios)

👋 It was a bad weekend to be a Minnesota pro sports exec. Twins employees were "blindsided" by the sudden departure of team president Derek Falvey less than two weeks before spring training, anonymous sources told The Athletic.

• Falvey and the Twins "mutually parted ways" as it became clear he and new executive chair Tom Pohlad "weren't in sync," the sources said.

🏈 The Vikings fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after the 28 players drafted during his four-year tenure started only 172 combined games, according to a Star Tribune analysis.

Demand for "Heated Rivalry" at Twin Cities libraries is red-hot.

Why it matters: The "gay hockey smut" book-turned-HBO-streaming-hit has exploded into a pop culture sensation.

Catch up quick: Rachel Reid's novel about two male professional hockey players who fall in love came out in 2019.

• But the "Heated Rivalry" fandom soared after the show dropped. Now Reid's books are in high demand.

Yes, but: If you inhaled all six episodes and now want to borrow a "Heated Rivalry" copy from the library, you may be stuck on the bench for a while.

By the numbers: As of late January, over 300 Hennepin County Library patrons were waiting to check out one of 11 copies of the physical book.

• Over 1,870 users were in the queue for the system's 135 e-book copies.

The Saint Paul Public Library has also seen "a rapid increase" in demand for titles in the series, spokesperson Stacy Opitz told Axios.

• As of Jan. 26, there were over 200 holds for the system's 22 e-book copies.

St. Paul has ordered physical copies, but they remained on backorder as of last week.

• Hennepin County also plans to buy additional e-book licenses to lower wait times, spokesperson Joshua Yetman told Axios.

What to read while you wait

Fast-growing Centro Restaurant Group may be plotting its next chapter in South Minneapolis.

Driving the news: An LLC tied to Centro purchased the former Chicago's Taste Authority building at 3101 E. 42nd St. for $892,000, according real estate records.

• Centro, which also launched a Hippo Pockets concept in South Minneapolis, did not respond to an email seeking comment on its plans for the space.