MPR News Update

Hundreds of people attended an open house hosted by Google Wednesday in Hermantown, just outside Duluth. The company wants to spend up to $2 billion to build a large data center there. The proposal has faced strong opposition from residents, and at least two lawsuits have been filed to block it. The project still needs additional city and state approvals.The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to approve a pair of ordinance changes that would allow the city to legalize bathhouses. Adult bathhouses were historically frequented by gay men in the 1970s and '80s. They were banned in Minneapolis in 1988 during the AIDS epidemic. The changes allow the city to start the process toward permitting bathhouses and other sex venues in the future.A state lawmaker will be arraigned Friday on DWI charges stemming from a traffic stop earlier this year. State Rep. Elliott Engen of White Bear Lake was pulled over in March for speeding. According to the criminal complaint, police say Engen had a headlight out, expired registration and a blood alcohol concentration of .13. Engen had been running for state auditor, but ended his campaign.Minnesota exports fell eight percent in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2025. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says a decline in sales of mineral fuel and oil to Canada is driving the loss, along with uncertainty tied to federal actions. Excluding mineral fuel and oil exports to Canada, Minnesota exports grew slightly from a year ago.Parts of Minnesota could see triple-digit highs early next week, as a potentially dangerous heat wave moves into the region. MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says temperatures and humidity will start climbing this weekend. Monday could bring highs in the upper 90s, with heat indices above 105. The heat could linger through next week, with highs near 90 continuing into the Fourth of July weekend.

The man who killed former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark faces sentencing next month. A group of workers at the Amazon warehouse in Shakopee protested outside of the facility Wednesday, the second day of Amazon's Prime Day Sale. A report released this week found that Minneapolis police often mishandled officer discipline cases. The Minneapolis City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to repeal the city's longstanding ban on adult bathhouses. Hunger relief nonprofits are feeling the pain from high gas prices. While demand for assistance from food shelves continues to rise across the state, rising costs for nonprofits makes it more difficult for them to meet that demand.If you use light rail transit in the Twin Cities — prepare for major changes starting next week, with buses replacing trains. That will affect the entirety of Metro Transit's Blue Line linking downtown Minneapolis to the airport and the Mall of America from Monday through Aug. 19.

Gov. Tim Walz wants the Trump administration to release records that he says could show he and the state of Minnesota have been targeted for political retribution. Walz filed 16 records requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Earlier this week, a federal judge threw out Justice Department subpoenas for records from the offices of Walz and other Minnesota Democrats, calling them meritless and ethically questionable.Minnesota hospitality businesses are doing worse than they were last year, according to a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Fed surveyed 120 hospitality companies about business conditions during the first quarter of 2026. A majority said profits are down compared to last year. Many businesses cited inflation, Minnesota's new paid family leave policy and increased employee absences as challenges.A Minneapolis woman who was dragged from her car by federal agents during the immigration surge has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Homeland Security. The complaint alleges Aliyah Rahman was assaulted, wrongfully arrested and subjected to inhumane treatment by federal agents. Her attorney says agents violated Rahman's constitutional rights and disability protections. The complaint calls on DHS to investigate the incident and implement broader policy changes.A woman charged with assaulting an FBI agent in Minneapolis last year pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to a misdemeanor charge. Isabel Lopez was sentenced to time served and a $25 fine. Lopez was among about 100 people who protested what they believed was an immigration raid at a Lake Street restaurant a year ago. Prosecutors agreed to drop the original felony indictment if Lopez pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge.Minnesotans should be prepared for potentially dangerous heat and humidity later this weekend and into next week. MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says what could be the hottest air mass in the region in several years starts to arrive this weekend. Highs could reach the 90s by early next week, with heat indices possibly reaching triple digits. Before then, Minnesota will see a few more days of quiet and mild weather.

A provider trade group is alleging that the Minnesota Department of Human Services is intentionally dismantling a social services program. Democrats see an opportunity to regain ground in rural parts of Minnesota this election year as farmers cope with high oil prices and input costs. A northern Minnesota utility broke ground on a nearly billion-dollar transmission line project. It's part of a broader effort to modernize the state's electric grid.The Justice Department is asking a federal court in Minnesota for two more weeks to return the car seized after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis in January.

A federal judge has tossed out U.S. Justice Department subpoenas targeting Gov. Tim Walz and other state and local leaders. Judge Patrick Schiltz called the subpoenas an “unlawful and unethical use of the grand jury process.” The subpoenas were part of a criminal investigation into whether state officials were obstructing federal immigration enforcement. Schiltz wrote that evidence the subpoenas were issued for unlawful reasons was “overwhelming,” and said the investigation appeared designed to harass political opponents and pressure them into taking federal action.A new study recommends Minnesota take action to prevent groundwater contaminated with PFAS from spreading in the Twin Cities east metro. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report recommends pumping groundwater and removing PFAS. The treated water would then be sent to cities for drinking, or returned to the underground aquifer. Decades ago, 3M disposed of chemical waste containing PFAS at several sites in the east metro, where the chemicals leaked into the environment.About 75,000 spectators are expected to attend the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this week. Competition began Monday at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. The games bring together more than 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from all 50 states. Events are free to attend, and ESPN will stream some competitions on ESPN Plus.

Human Rights Watch Thursday released a report detailing human rights abuses by the federal government during this winter's immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, which the group alleges also violates international human rights treaties.The report documents what they allege were unlawful arrests, excessive use of force and unhealthy conditions in detention facilities. In an email to MPR News, a Homeland Security spokesperson denied the allegations of human rights violations.Federal prosecutors Wednesday dismissed charges against another protester accused of assaulting immigration agents. Video evidence continues to contradict sworn statements from Homeland Security officials.

Human Rights Watch Thursday released a report detailing human rights abuses by the federal government during this winter's immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, which the group alleges also violates international human rights treaties.The report documents what they allege were unlawful arrests, excessive use of force and unhealthy conditions in detention facilities. In an email to MPR News, a Homeland Security spokesperson denied the allegations of human rights violations.Federal prosecutors Wednesday dismissed charges against another protester accused of assaulting immigration agents. Video evidence continues to contradict sworn statements from Homeland Security officials.

While we've had showers and storms across Minnesota over the past week -- that rain has not been enough to keep drought conditions from expanding.And Minnesota's job numbers for May are a mixed bag. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Human Rights Watch Thursday released a report detailing human rights abuses by the federal government during this winter's immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, which the group alleges also violates international human rights treaties.The report documents what they allege were unlawful arrests, excessive use of force and unhealthy conditions in detention facilities. In an email to MPR News, a Homeland Security spokesperson denied the allegations of human rights violations.Federal prosecutors Wednesday dismissed charges against another protester accused of assaulting immigration agents. Video evidence continues to contradict sworn statements from Homeland Security officials.

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock has filed notice that she plans to appeal her federal conviction and lengthy prison sentence.And a Minnesota lab shut down its cannabis and hemp testing program this week after running into compliance issues. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Federal prosecutors today charged fifteen people for allegedly conspiring to impede federal agents in the Twin Cities during the immigration enforcement operation. It sparked protests in St. Paul today, where protesters at the federal courthouse were met with pepper spray from U.S. marshals. That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Now in its second year of service, the Borealis Amtrak train has helped grow passenger ridership between St. Paul and Chicago. And a program that gets more kids learning outside is now a year old.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A man who surrendered after a nearly eight-hour standoff with police last week could face charges as soon as Monday. The 31-year-old allegedly shot down a police drone and fired at sheriff's deputies multiple times Tuesday afternoon as they tried to serve an arrest warrant.The Church of St. Timothy in Blaine is honoring Mark and Melissa Hortman at its 9 a.m. Mass Monday morning. Melissa taught Sunday School at St. Timothy.A Minneapolis man persistently harassed and later shot by his next-door neighbor filed a lawsuit last week against the city and his home's previous owners. Lawyers for 36-year-old Davis Moturi say in the court filing the October 2024 shooting caused "severe and permanent injury."Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince will receive a national award Monday evening for his leadership in the aftermath of a massive storm last June. The storm produced hurricane force winds, downed 9 million trees, and caused around $10 million in damages.

On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained more than 30 employees of a contractor working at a townhome complex in Bemidji. And Minneapolis-based Sleep Number announced today that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy -- and that it has entered an agreement to combine with a Canadian mattress retailer.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A sentencing date is pending for Vance Boelter after he pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges stemming from last June's attacks on Minnesota lawmakers and their families. That includes the killings of former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well the attack on DFL state Senator John Hoffman, his wife, Yvette, and their daughter, Hope. Under terms of the plea deal, Boelter will spend the rest of his life in prison.More than a hundred men serving time at Rush City prison are boycotting the canteen to protest prison conditions. A federal judge has denied a request from independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort to release grand jury transcripts in their case. Target Field food and beverage workers announced they will strike on June 22 — during a game between the Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Vance Boelter today admitted killing a top DFL lawmaker and her husband during an early morning shooting rampage last year. Boelter's plea means federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty. And the Minneapolis City Council voted today to waive a special tax assessment for property owners in George Floyd Square.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis city officials say a new report on the economic effects of the federal immigration enforcement surge can help provide a roadmap for how to direct relief efforts. The city estimates the surge caused nearly $700 million in economic harm, most of that due to lost wages and business revenue.Additionally, the Minneapolis City Council is set to take up two measures this morning related to George Floyd Square. One is whether to approve a special tax assessment on property owners at the square to help cover the cost of a street reconstruction project that just started.Minnesota lawmakers want to memorialize a peer lost to political violence and prevent future threats. Almost one year ago, a gunman shot and killed House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. The gunman also shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who both survived. The shootings rocked the state. And in the months since, lawmakers sought to remember the Hortmans by renaming a highway, bike trail and Capitol garden.The man charged with killing Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is expected to plead guilty this morning.A Feeding Our Future defendant who fled to Kenya is back in Minnesota to face charges after surrendering to authorities.Minneapolis estimates Operation Metro Surge cost the city $700 millionMinneapolis City Council to weigh two measures related to George Floyd SquareSteps to honor Hortman, prevent future tragedies take root in year since her assassinationBoelter expected to plead guilty in lawmaker attacks

The city of Minneapolis now estimates that the federal immigration enforcement surge caused nearly $700 million in economic damage.And clean-up is underway after about 20 rail cars were knocked off the tracks in western Minnesota early this morning as severe storms swept through. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A line of severe storms raced across Minnesota overnight, bringing wind gusts of more than 80 mph and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses. More severe storms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening, especially across eastern Minnesota and into western Wisconsin.City leaders in Minneapolis will release an updated impact assessment for Operation Metro Surge on Wednesday. The city now estimates that the federal immigration surge from December to April had a $700 million impact on the city, residents and businesses.And the Department of Justice is not seeking the death penalty for the man accused of killing former DFL Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.Severe storms knock out power to thousands across MinnesotaMinneapolis estimates Operation Metro Surge cost the city $700 millionDeath penalty off the table for alleged Hortman killer

Air quality in the Twin Cities and much of central Minnesota may reach unhealthy levels this afternoon and evening. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert from noon to 9 p.m. for the Twin Cities metro area extending northwest to St. Cloud, Sauk Centre and Little Falls.Like other alerts the past couple weeks, the concern is for ground-level ozone that forms on warm, dry days when sunshine reacts with pollutants in the air. Conditions should improve after sunset.Fargo voters are choosing a new mayor and two other city commissioners Tuesday. And the city is changing up the method of voting after North Dakota lawmakers banned approval voting last year. And DFL governor candidate Amy Klobuchar is out with a proposal aimed at addressing Minnesota's housing shortage. Klobuchar says the state should work with cities and counties to lift requirements that can add time and project expenses. The plan would also create incentives for communities that build more multi-family housing.Lawmakers scrapped Fargo's novel voting system. Tuesday's mayoral election goes back to basics

An Annunciation family is condemning the gaming platform Roblox for a game modeled after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Leah and Harry Kaiser said it's “heartbreaking and unacceptable” to see tragedies like the one that critically injured their daughter recreated on the platform. They sent a letter to Roblox calling for stronger safeguards against violent content. The company said on social media the simulation was removed in early February.The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled the city of Faribault erred when it decided a proposed data center did not require a more in-depth environmental study. The nonprofit Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy appealed the decision, arguing the city did not have enough information about the project's potential air and noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. A new congressional report dissects internal problems that could have allowed fraud to fester in Minnesota-run programs. The 200-page report by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform retraces fraud in nutrition and Medicaid programs and what was done about it. It's shaping up to be a hot, humid and stormy few days across Minnesota, with chances for severe weather. After scattered storms through tonight, highs are expected to climb into the upper 80s to low 90s across much of the state Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted a proposed contract for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use a private prison facility in western Minnesota to hold up to 1,600 immigrant detainees. That's according to a contract proposal issued Thursday that seeks to use Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, owned by CoreCivic. Gov. Tim Walz has requested the extradition of a Texas ICE agent to Minnesota to face assault charges related to the shooting of a man in Minneapolis during the federal enforcement surge.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota lawmakers failed to add protections to an obscure discount drug program this year, amid complaints from the pharmaceutical industry that some large hospitals abuse the so called 340B program.Republican-endorsed governor candidate Kendall Qualls says the campaign focus this year shouldn't be on President Donald Trump. Qualls is one of several candidates in a GOP primary race to determine the party nominee.An ICE detainee from Burnsville with serious health problems was released Wednesday. Andrea Pedro-Francisco is a twenty three year old asylum seeker who has lived in Burnsville with her family since 2019. She was detained by ICE in February and sent to Texas just before a planned surgery to remove an ovarian cyst.

Forest Service officials say the Birch Bay wildfire burning a few miles northwest of Ely is now 30 percent contained.The Minnesota Department of Human Services has disenrolled sixty percent of providers from 14 high-risk Medicaid programs.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud is proposing to reduce its number of parishes and close some churches.Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced yesterday that Bill Peterson will be interim police chief while the city conducts a national search for a new leader.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth says she opted to enter the GOP primary race for governor after party leaders deflated the endorsement in that contest. And Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has named an interim police chief as the city looks to replace Brian O'Hara, who resigned last week. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Republicans gather in Duluth Friday to begin winnowing their field of U.S. Senate candidates. An endorsement contest could bring some to drop out of the race, but an August primary will determine the nominee for the general election.For Democrats, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan heads into this weekend's DFL state convention with a victory already in hand. Her opponent in the DFL Senate race, U.S. Rep Angie Craig, decided Wednesday to skip the convention, with the delegate math showing a strong advantage there for Flanagan. The two will instead battle it out in the August primary.Four Twin Cities leaders will accept the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile in Courage Award this Sunday on behalf of the people of the Twin Cities.

Some members of the Minneapolis City Council are questioning Mayor Jacob Frey's handling of investigations into former police Chief Brian O'Hara, who resigned on Tuesday.Attorneys for independent journalist Don Lemon are renewing their push for access to grand jury transcripts in the case of Lemon and 37 others charged in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church in January.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Following Minneapolis police Chief Brian O'Hara's resignation Tuesday, Mayor Jacob Frey appointed assistant Minneapolis police Chief Katie Blackwell — who has been at the department for over 25 years — as acting police chief effective immediately. Minnesota is celebrating the completion of a major milestone in the ongoing cleanup of the St. Louis River. The river forms the headwaters of Lake Superior. There's been a major effort to clean up the river since 1987.The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is one step closer to getting land back from the University of Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation paving the way for the university to return the land on which its Cloquet Forestry Center is situated.Traffic is now down to a single lane in each direction through fall along two stretches of Interstate 94 in central Minnesota. MnDOT says crews are repairing and resurfacing two bridges along eastbound I-94 between Sauk Centre and Melrose.

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says she'll skip the DFL convention in Rochester and head straight to a Senate primary.Minneapolis city leaders are searching for a new police chief after Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday amid allegations that he interfered with an internal investigation. The investigation explored allegations that the chief had sexual relationships with city employees. According to investigators, there was sufficient evidence that O'Hara intentionally deleted data on his city-issued cell phone that was related to the investigation. At the DFL convention this weekend, the endorsement that will garner the most attention is in the U.S. Senate race. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are seeking their party's endorsement.The temporary closure of one of the state's few marijuana testing labs could spell trouble for the budding industry. Last week, Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management froze testing at Legend Technical Services for failing to meet security and testing requirements. State law requires testing, but Minnesota already faces a backlog with demand spiking.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals won't reinstate a law to ban certain gun trigger mechanisms. And gas prices were down slightly today after hitting a four-year Memorial Day high yesterday.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A statewide summer traffic enforcement campaign is now underway with officers, deputies and troopers across Minnesota placing extra attention on speeding drivers. The campaign is also targeting distracted and impaired driving, as well as seat belt use.Minnesota is commissioning a study on nuclear energy after state lawmakers recently approved funding.Minnesota lawmakers approved $3 million to help colleges fight student enrollment fraud. College administrators call the fake enrollments “ghost students.”The head of the Native American Community Clinic says a new affordable housing and health center project currently under construction in south Minneapolis is designed as an indigenous space. Players of the unique Hmong sport tuj lub hope more people give the time-honored sport a spin.

An attorney for an ICE agent charged in a February road rage incident during “Operation Metro Surge” says there's more to the story than what's shown in a widely circulated video. Prosecutors allege Gregory Morgan pointed a handgun at another vehicle on Highway 62 after a traffic dispute. He faces two felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He's set to make a first appearance in court Friday.The founder of a nonprofit that's become synonymous with fraud in Minnesota was sentenced Thursday to nearly 42 years in prison. Aimee Bock, who founded and led Feeding Our Future, was also ordered to pay $243 million dollars in restitution.Federal law enforcement officials say they will continue to investigate allegations of fraud in the state of Minnesota and in other states. During a press conference Thursday, officials announced charges against 15 people who allegedly stole $90 million in taxpayer dollars.A federal judge has set a July 1 hearing on a possible injunction to stop Minnesota's ban on prediction markets. The new law bans the organization or advertising of prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket in Minnesota. For the first time in two years, visitors to a state park in northern Minnesota can once again travel nearly a half-mile underground into a historic mine. Crews have been working nonstop since then to get it reopened.The CBS News radio division is calling it quits Friday. WCCO in Minneapolis switched to being an ABC News affiliate on Thursday.Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Feds say 15 charged with bilking Medicaid programs in MinnesotaAimee Bock sentenced to 500 months in Feeding Our Future fraud caseFollowing 2-year hiatus, Soudan underground mine tours to resume on the Iron RangeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.