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The city of Austin, Minnesota experienced flooded streets last night and this morning from heavy rainfall accumulating faster than it could be diverted away from road surfaces. Some streets and parks are closed.A Ramsey County District Court judge has struck down Minnesota's binary trigger ban. And Minnesota stands to lose $62 million of federal funding for new solar energy programs designed to serve low-income households.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The man accused of killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is facing new state charges of first-degree premeditated murder. And the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced today it will reduce the historic Hiawatha Golf Course from 18 to nine holes. The course, which has ties to the Twin Cities Black Community, has experienced major flooding over its century long history.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota's unemployment rate has ticked up to 3.5 percent. July's figure is the highest since summer of 2021 — and the fifth straight month of rising unemployment.The Stearns County Sheriff's Office reported this morning that a vehicle they pulled from the Mississippi River last night may be connected to a missing person case from 1967.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minneapolis' mayor is proposing a budget that attempts to keep new programs in check to help deal with less tax revenue coming in. Mayor Jacob Frey gave details today on a $2 billion budget framework that he says found around $23 million in savingsThe longtime family owners of the Minnesota Twins say they will not sell the team after all.The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to investigate after two men were killed in an exchange of gunfire with police in Moorhead on Monday night.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
Four new members gained spots Tuesday on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents, a full third of the board at a time of immense challenge for the land-grant college. They include a former U.S. ambassador to Norway, a past United Nations food aid counselor who also worked abroad, a doctoral student with a focus on economic planning, and a prominent search firm executive who graduated from the university before pursuing a career in nonprofit leadership.St. Paul city officials say hackers who launched an attack on the city's computer systems have posted some of that data online, after the city refused to pay a ransom.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she will work to steer federal money to Beltrami County following severe storms. She says even though the Federal Emergency Management Agency determined the damage was not extensive enough to warrant federal disaster aid, there are other things that can be done in Washington to help the area.Forecasters continue to monitor the potential for another round of Canadian wildfire smoke to affect Minnesota this weekend.Prosecutors are seeking an aggravated sentence for a former jail nurse charged in an inmate's death.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
The man charged with killing the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband, and wounding a state senator and his wife, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court Thursday. The plea during the brief hearing in federal court in Minneapolis was expected; an attorney for Vance Boelter had said last month that he planned to plead not guilty.An MPR News investigation has found that several Minneapolis police trainers were accused of using excessive force in civil lawsuits the city settled before they received their current assignments.A Minnesota state senator says he'll move to regulate so-called ghost guns next year following a court ruling that altered the landscape on the firearms.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
The Minnesota Supreme Court created doubt Wednesday over the viability of a decades-old state law that makes it a crime to possess certain firearms that lack serial numbers. In overturning a lower court ruling, a majority of justices on the state's highest court stopped short of invalidating a 1994 law entirely on constitutional grounds. But the split ruling could make it harder for prosecutors to bring the gun charges as they have in hundreds of cases per year.New security measures went into place Wednesday at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul.Former Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn appeared in court Wednesday. He faces charges of soliciting a minor for sex, after being arrested in March in a Bloomington sting operation.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
The city of North St. Paul is trying to determine whether any private data was compromised after someone in its police department clicked on a nefarious email about a week ago. The city decided to bring in outside cybersecurity experts to look into the incident, as the city of St. Paul investigates its own cybersecurity breach detected last month. Authorities in Minneapolis are asking for the public's help in locating a 12-year-old girl who's been missing since Saturday.The children of the late Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, will be joining MPR News sister station The Current Wednesday morning. The segment is about their parents' love of music.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
DFL Senator John Hoffman spoke about surviving an assassination attempt to a conference in Boston. Hoffman said politicians must recommit to governance over grievance and to service over self. Hoffman was shot nine times in an early morning attack the same day former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Hoffman's wife, Yvette, was also shot multiple times.A new study co-authored by a University of Minnesota researcher outlines the challenges people in rural areas face regarding health care.St. Paul DFL state Rep. Kaohly Vang Her says she'll challenge Mayor Carter in the fall.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
State Sen. Bruce Anderson will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery next week. Anderson died unexpectedly Monday at age 75. State Sen. Nicole Mitchell is due to be sentenced in September following her burglary conviction. Hundreds of Essentia clinic workers in northern and central Minnesota will go back to work Wednesday after a two-week strike.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
Sen. Nicole Mitchell will resign her senate seat following her conviction on felony burglary charges. Mitchell announced through her attorneys Monday that she will give up her seat by early August. It forces the Minnesota Senate into another period of political uncertainty and follows widespread calls for her to resign or be forced out if she doesn't.A new study shows that Olmsted County does not have enough housing stock to meet demand.Law enforcement in northeastern Minnesota is continuing efforts to find Gene Doherty, 40, last seen on July 1 in Silver Bay.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.
Law enforcement shot and killed a person in St. Louis County Tuesday after the person allegedly set homes on fire and shot a weapon at officers. Also, Vance Boelter's attorney says his client plans to plead not guilty to charges he killed Minnesota DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. A grand jury indicted him Tuesday on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could carry the federal death penalty. This is the afternoon MPR News Update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Gov. Tim Walz announced today that a special election to fill the Minnesota House seat of the late DFL Leader Melissa Hortman will take place September 16.And another round of Canadian wildfire smoke is moving across Minnesota today -- and an air quality alert is now in effect for the entire state through Monday morning.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is renewing his call for increased Capitol security following attacks on state lawmakers at their homes. Officials in west central Minnesota say people wanting to help with flood clean-up should contact a service organization such as the Red Cross, rather than just show up.Those stories in more in today's evening update from MPR news. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota school districts are facing a new financial hit after learning the Trump administration will withhold tens of millions in education funding.About three hundred nurses and other medical staff went on strike today in the Duluth area. They work at six Essentia Health facilities and are negotiating their first union contracts.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota's U.S. House members split along party lines on a tax and budget bill that President Donald Trump plans to quickly sign.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
If you have plans to watch fireworks or take part in other outdoor activities on the Fourth of July, keep an eye on the forecast over the next couple of days. MPR meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says a cool front may touch off thunderstorms. Also, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday he is joining a multistate coalition suing the Trump Administration, accusing it of sharing personal health data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
Starting tomorrow motorcyclists in Minnesota will be allowed to maneuver between lanes of traffic in certain conditions -- but only when traffic is stopped or moving slower than 25 miles per hour. And a new state law meant to protect minor children from appearing on the internet goes into effect tomorrow.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The wife of Vance Boelter — the man charged in the killing of State Rep. Melissa Hortman — has released her first public statement since the shootings. More rain is expected across central and southern Minnesota today, following storms that caused flash flooding yesterday.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The late Minnesota House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will lie in state at the Capitol on Friday.And a Hennepin County judge today sentenced the woman who pleaded guilty to unintentional murder and assault for driving her automobile into a group last fall. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Beltrami County and the city of Bemidji have declared a state of emergency due to severe storm damage over the weekend. The storms early Saturday had winds of more than 100 miles per hour.And another defendant in the Feeding Our Future case admitted that he tried to bribe one of the jurors at his trial last year.That story and more in today's evening news update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Gov. Tim Walz says the Minnesota Legislature should consider prohibiting people from carrying firearms in the state Capitol. Current law says Minnesotans with a permit to carry are able to bring a gun inside the statehouse. Walz comments come after authorities charged a registered lobbyist who allegedly sent a text message threatening violence at the Minnesota Capitol.Also, heat advisories and warnings are in place for parts of southern and western Minnesota as a sweltering heat wave is expected across the state. This is the afternoon MPR News update hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Extreme heat and humidity will roll into Minnesota this weekend. The sauna-like weather will be the first major heat wave of the summer. Temperatures will start to rise on Friday. The tropical air mass will push heat indexes to around 90 to 105 degrees.Also, more than 23,000 runners are registered for events connected to Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, including a half and full marathon on Saturday. That number tops last year's record-breaking participation.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Brooklyn Park police are investigating a break-in at the home of DFL leader Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark. The incident comes days after the Hortmans were shot and killed in their home in what authorities are calling a politically motivated attack. Police say they discovered pried-off plywood that was covering the home's rear window, but nothing appeared to be missing.Also, state Rep. Kristin Bahner confirmed that her home was one of the targets of the man suspected of the shootings last Saturday. This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what motivated a man to allegedly target Democratic elected officials in a series of shootings early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, candlelight vigil to honor top state House DFLer Melissa Hortman is planned for Wednesday night on the steps of the state Capitol. In other news, the Superior National Forest will charge people more to enter the Boundary Waters.This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
An air quality alert is now in effect for all of Minnesota through Monday evening, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to stream across the state. That's an expansion of earlier alerts, as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says reinforcing waves of smoke are expected Saturday, Sunday and again on Monday.Listen for more on the MPR News afternoon update for Friday, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Firefighters are inching closer to fully containing two wildfires that have burned for more than two weeks in northern Minnesota.And funding for the school readiness program Head Start was spared in spending cuts the House passed, but some people who work with struggling families worry cuts could still come as the House bill is considered in the Senate.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Faith leaders gathered at Minneapolis City Hall today for an interfaith prayer, marking the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police. And Gov. Tim Walz defended a proposal today to roll back a tax exemption for data centers in the state.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Police reform advocates in Minneapolis are denouncing the Trump administration's attempt to drop the federal consent decree.And a working group on the human services budget bill at the Minnesota Legislature is meeting privately to iron out differences. As they do, advocates for disabled people in the state held a rally this morning to push against possible cuts for disability waivers.Those stories and more in today's evening news update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
While much of the state budget will get sorted out in a special session, lawmakers passed a bill to fund several state government agencies last night. Heavy rains that have fallen in parts of the state today will ease drought and abnormally dry conditions.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Crews battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota have had to contend with windy conditions today. East winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour have been accompanied by gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.And meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that while a system will bring rain to the state today through Wednesday, it's expected to miss the region where fires are burning.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Local Catholics are excited about the election of Pope Leo XIV from Chicago. "We have a pope! An American!" said Joan McLeod and Gailyn Ryan. The University of Minnesota says it has lost more than 70 federal grants totaling more than $22 million in Trump administration budget cuts and that it does not know what's coming next. And the first Republican contender has entered the 2026 Minnesota governor's race.Those stories and more in today's evening newscast from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The driver charged in a crash that killed two people and injured nine others at a St. Louis Park restaurant last year entered a guilty plea in Hennepin County court this morning.And a bill that strengthens consequences for people with multiple DWIs has passed the Minnesota Senate.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's 2025 State of the City address was heavy on public safety improvements. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has announced the date for the first lottery to decide who will get cannabis business licenses from the state.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
A Minnesota Senate ethics panel has deadlocked along party lines and won't proceed with a complaint against DFL Senate President Bobby Joe Champion today.The Rochester police department says it's completed an investigation into a video posted on social media that featured a woman calling a child a racial slur at a local park.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
President Donald Trump's executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's board of directors to "cease federal funding for NPR and PBS" has local stations trying to figure out how the move will affect them.Rochester law enforcement says it's investigating a video of a local woman calling a child a racial slur. The video surfaced on social media earlier this week.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The Minnesota Senate approved a provision today to boost penalties for drivers who bypass extended school bus arms.Minneapolis police announced an arrest related to a series of shootings in Minneapolis that left five people dead in less than 24 hours.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Changes have been made to a new state remote work policy that begins in a little more than a month. And Minneapolis police say three people are dead and two others injured -- one critically -- following a shooting overnight in the city's Phillips neighborhood.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is running for a U.S. Senate seat that will be open in the 2026 election.And President Donald Trump signed a new executive order yesterday to identify and cut funding for sanctuary cities, or places that don't fully comply with federal immigration policy.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
A bill that would place stricter rules on those with multiple DWIs is moving to floor votes in both the House and Senate.Lawmakers got their first chance today to ask Minnesota's attorney general about a 2021 meeting he had with business owners tied to the Feeding our Future nutrition scandal. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota senators are considering a change that would force landlords to wait to evict tenants if the federal government suspends housing vouchers. A Minnesotan will be among a congressional delegation visiting the Vatican City this weekend for the funeral of Pope Francis.And state regulators are giving a St. Paul iron foundry a final notice to submit information on its operations... or lose its air quality permit. Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota Democrats are pushing again for new taxes to offset possible federal spending cuts despite Republican opposition. The University of Minnesota announced a new project today that could set up its own system for vaccine evaluation and clinical guidelines — separate from federal agencies.Those stories and more from today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The state of Minnesota is suing the Trump's administration over threats to withhold federal funding because the state has not complied with executive orders regarding transgender people. Maplewood-based 3M said today it's taking steps to mitigate what it estimates could be an $850 million annual impact on the company from tariffs.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
This morning's mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul started with a moment of silence for Pope Francis, who passed away earlier today.St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says the city is making progress on its goal to bring 20,000 new residents to downtown.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
For the fifth year in a row, more than half of Minnesota's electricity came from carbon-free sources, according to a new clean energy report. The Minnesota Department of Health has updated its advice on how much fish is safe to eat from certain lakes with so-called "forever chemicals."Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
An international student at the University of Minnesota has sued the Department of Homeland security. And St. Paul-based Ecolab says it's imposing a 5 percent trade surcharge on its products and services sold in the U.S. The company says it's making the move to mitigate rising raw material costs as a result of Trump administration tariffs. Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
A man was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening violence against the United Healthcare corporate campus in Minnetonka.And an oil pipeline that ruptured a week ago in North Dakota is returning to service.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnetonka police say a person is in custody and there's no ongoing threat to the public, following a large police response to the United Healthcare corporate campus today.Starting tonight, the Minneapolis Police Department is encrypting its radio communications, making them inaccessible to scanner listeners. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota soybean growers are closely watching the Trump administration's approach to trade policy.Minnesota Senate Republicans have filed an ethics complaint against Senate President Bobby Joe Champion over a possible conflict of interest.And crews working to clean up oil from a ruptured pipeline in North Dakota have recovered about a fifth of the estimated nearly 150,000 gallons that spilled.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.