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This week MPR News invites you to jump on the Minnesota Lynx bandwagon. Why? Because the No. 1 ranked team is in the playoffs which kick off this week. And they are looking great. Even if you don't know a thing about the WNBA, basketball or care about sports in general, the Lynx players are just plain fun to follow. At least that's what MPR News resident Lynx superfan tells us. MPR newscaster Emily Reese joined Minnesota Now to explain who the standout stars on the team are and why everyone should be watching the Lynx during the WNBA playoffs.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is supporting a new bill before Congress to prohibit removal of people from state voter rolls without evidence of a change in status.And the Minneapolis City Council this morning passed an ordinance that aims to tighten accountability for negligent landlords.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister
Minneapolis police say they've identified more people who were hurt in the August shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, bringing the total count to 30 victims.Gov. Tim Walz is walking back prior remarks that he'd call a special legislative session with or without an agreement with lawmakers.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Tonight could be the coldest night of the fall so far across much of the region.And a former Minnesota Republican consultant and donor will not have his sex trafficking conviction reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota soybean farmers are suffering after their largest consumer stopped importing amid the Trump administration's trade war.And a prominent Democrat in the Minnesota Legislature has announced he will retire at the end of his term.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer spoke about what it will take to end the federal government shutdown.And a resident who witnessed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in St. Paul's North End neighborhood says it only took about 15 minutes.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Gov. Tim Walz pushed back on a White House proposal to cancel funding for clean energy projects in states that didn't support President Donald Trump's presidential bid. The DFL governor and former vice-presidential candidate said the threat was clearly a political move. And prosecutors are asking a judge to jail a defendant in the next Feeding Our Future trial for allegedly trying to stop a cooperator from testifying.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay during the government shutdown that started today.And federal officials say Minnesota's inclusion of trans athletes in female sports is a violation of Title IX. The Trump administration announced yesterday it had found Minnesota's high school league and state department of education in violation of civil rights law for policies that allow transgender athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Minnesota — along with Hennepin County, Minneapolis and St. Paul — over policies limiting local law enforcement agencies' work in immigration operations.And the driver of a pickup truck died this morning after it collided head-on with a school bus in the city of Andover. Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is warning Minnesotans NOT to engage with text messages claiming to provide tax refunds. Work was paused today on road construction projects across the state... after two workers died in separate incidents in construction zones last week. MnDOT says the first-ever statewide safety stand-down was held in part to honor the lives lost. It also was a chance for workers to have discussions and share their experiences in an effort to recommit to and improve work zone safety.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Five candidates vying to be the next Minneapolis mayor participated in Friday's debate. This year's election is on Nov. 4 and uses ranked-choice voting. Early voting began Sept. 19.Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told MPR News if he's elected to a third term, he plans to serve the entire term.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.
Federal prosecutors announced charges Thursday against eight people for allegedly defrauding a state Medicaid program. Defendants are charged with stealing a total of around $10 million from Minnesota's housing stabilization services program, which started in 2020, and was meant to help people with disabilities secure housing.Also, St. Paul's library system and rec centers have restored internet service after a cyberattack caused an outage.This is the evening MPR News update hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Federal prosecutors announced charges today against eight people for allegedly defrauding a state Medicaid program. And the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board gave political candidates more leeway when using campaign funds for security.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
State troopers are patrolling in Minneapolis this week following two shootings along Lake Street on Monday that injured 12 people.Republican and Democratic senators clashed over how to respond to gun violence during a working group at the Capitol today.And leaders of Minnesota's Department of Human Services say they've ended grant payments from a housing stabilization program to a hundred and fifteen service providers, which they believe were making fraudulent claims.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Wednesday night the Minnesota Lynx will play the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs. As the playoffs heat up, MPR News' Emily Reese is reaching out a hand from the Lynx bandwagon and sharing everything new fans may want to know. First, we learned about the revenge tour: the Lynx are motivated to become champions this year after a loss attributed to a bad call last year. Then, we got to know the team's starters. This time, Reese joins Minnesota Now to talk about the StudBudz, Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, and why their viral, but very real friendship means so much to fans.
Gov. Tim Walz announced today that he'll run for third term in 2026. Police are investigating a shooting that injured eight people at an encampment in south Minneapolis last night.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Minneapolis police say five men were struck by gunfire today near the intersection of Lake Street and Stevens Avenue on the city's south side. Police chief Brian O'Hara says one man suffered serious injuries. Parents of Annunciation Catholic Church and School students told Minnesota lawmakers about the horror they and their children felt during a mass shooting that killed two and injured many more.Xcel Energy customers have a chance this week to weigh in on a proposed rate hike, including at a meeting tonight in Stillwater.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 playoffs are finally here for the Minnesota Lynx. They've been the number one team in the WNBA all season long and seemingly just waiting for the big games to start. Well, they started Sunday with a first-round playoff game against the Golden State Valkyries and the Lynx won 101-72. It's just the start of what is being dubbed as the “revenge tour” for the Lynx, who are vying for the title after a heartbreaking loss last year against the New York Liberty. MPR newscaster and Lynx superfan Emily Reese joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to share the story behind what's fueling the Lynx's revenge.
Gov. Tim Walz says when the regular legislative session starts next February, he'd like to revisit legislation that did NOT get passed in 2023. Walz says a tax credit for child care could help ease the high cost for families.And leaders of a Minnesota Senate working group on gun violence prevention are gearing up for meetings next week.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Legislative leaders and the governor met today to discuss a special legislative session to forge a response to a Minneapolis mass shooting, which could include votes on gun bills. Custodians, maintenance staff and food service workers are now on strike at several University of Minnesota campuses... including Duluth, Crookston, and Morris.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The administration of Gov. Tim Walz will take steps to maintain access to vaccines, including for COVID-19, as moves by federal regulatory officials raise doubt over availability. And a Ramsey County Court judge has ordered two state agencies to review the effectiveness of rules in place protect Minnesota's drinking water.Thoe stories and more from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Vice President JD Vance came to Minnesota today to meet with some families affected by last week's shooting at Annunciation Church and School.The U.S. Coast Guard says it responded yesterday to a spill of up to 30 gallons of oil in the Duluth harbor.A city council meeting last night in Harwood, North Dakota, near Fargo, got heated over a proposed AI Data Center.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are calling on Governor Tim Walz to schedule a special session where gun restrictions would be considered. And as school started in many locations in the metro today, Minneapolis police have increased patrols around schools and places of worship. St. Paul's police department offered extra police presence to all public and private schools in that city.A new program in St. Cloud will provide free school supplies to some students this year.All that and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
West Nile virus cases are increasing across the state. The Minnesota Department of Health reports 20 cases of West Nile virus so far this year. Two of the affected people have died. Monday's daily attendance at the Minnesota State Fair hit a record. The daily attendance creeped just past 145,000 people yesterday -- about 500 more people than the record set in 2017.Those stories and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Will Gov. Tim Walz run for a third term? That's still up in the air. That story and more in today's evening news update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Gates opened for the Great Minnesota Get-Together Thursday morning, kicking off the annual 12-day run of the fair. Beautiful late-summer weather is likely helping boost the opening-day attendance.Said Farah, a defendant in the first Feeding Our Future trial who was found not guilty in the underlying fraud case, pleaded guilty on Thursday to trying to bribe a juror.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.
Republican state representative Kristin Robbins announced today that she is running for Minnesota governor.And for the first time in more than a decade, there will soon be a change in leadership atop Minnesota retail giant Target.Those stories and more from this evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against the social media app TikTok, claiming it's harming children. West Nile Virus cases have been on the rise in the U.S., and neighboring states like North and South Dakota have seen a rise in the mosquito borne disease.And rivers are still rising across parts of southern Minnesota in the wake of heavy rain in recent days.Those stories and more in today's evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
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.