• Defendants plead not guilty in ICE protest case; Warning labels for social media will wait
    Jul 1 2026

    Fourteen people facing federal charges for protesting ICE in Minnesota pleaded not guilty in federal court today.


    And Minnesota's attorney general's office won't enforce a new law requiring warning labels for social media sites while a lawsuit plays out.


    Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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    4 mins
  • EXTRA -- Juvenile suspect arrested in Wisconsin girl's death
    Apr 27 2022

    EXTRA -- Juvenile suspect arrested in Wisconsin girl's death. Also, embattled lawmaker disputes police account of his intervention in an impaired driving traffic stop of a woman he says was his daughter. This is an extra update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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    5 mins
  • Committee reviews Department of Human Services' revalidation process after it triggered agency to disenroll providers
    Jul 1 2026

    More than a dozen people facing conspiracy charges in connection with anti-ICE protests are expected back in Minneapolis federal court Wednesday afternoon.


    A Minnesota Senate committee will meet Wednesday to discuss the Department of Human Services' revalidation process. The process triggered the agency to disenroll some providers.


    Leaders in three rural Minnesota counties are giving rave reviews to a pilot program aimed at improving emergency medical response time. They are testing out “sprint medics” — paramedics who respond to calls in a pick up truck equipped with advanced life support gear, instead of an ambulance.

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    5 mins
  • Supreme Court rules on birthright citizenship, transgender athlete bans
    Jun 30 2026

    The Supreme Court's decision to uphold birthright citizenship is welcome news for many Minnesota families. The justices ruled in favor of the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil.


    Also today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws in other states that bar transgender students from participating in school sports. Minnesota officials say the state likely won’t have to change course on rules that allow trans students to join sports that don't match their sex at birth.


    Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.


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    4 mins
  • Blue line trains replaced by buses; Storms and heat in Minnesota
    Jun 29 2026

    Tornado sirens sounded earlier today in parts of central and northern Minnesota as a line of destructive storms swept across the region.


    There were no immediate confirmed reports of tornado touchdowns in Minnesota. But the storms produced wind gusts of 75 miles per hour and dropped half-dollar-size hail at Wadena just after 11 a.m. Hundreds of homes and businesses are without power across the state.


    Some Minneapolis light rail riders will have to adjust to bus travel this summer. Metro Transit shut down the entire Blue Line and the Minneapolis portion of the green line — starting today.


    Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

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    4 mins
  • Tuesday expected to be another day of scorching and dangerous heat in Minnesota
    Jun 30 2026

    Tuesday is expected to be another day of scorching and dangerous heat across much of Minnesota. And Minnesotans are trying to cool off any way they can, from going swimming at their local pools or beaches to staying indoors with iced drinks.


    As heat builds across Minnesota this week, animal experts are urging pet owners to watch closely for signs their pets may be overheating. Pets can suffer heat stroke just like people.


    Advocates for children with disabilities in Minnesota say they’re concerned about federal changes to the Department of Education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees disabled students access to an equitable public education, remains unchanged.


    Minnesota candidates are highlighting tough financial times in their own lives to connect with voters on affordability. In ads and speeches, statewide candidates are reflecting on growing up in poverty. Democrats and Republicans alike have pulled from their early memories to connect on affordability. They’re commit to making changes to bring down costs.


    An employee at an adult foster care home in central Minnesota is dead after a stabbing last weekend. On Saturday evening, police responded to a report of an assault at St. Luke's Home in Cold Spring, southwest of St. Cloud. It's operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud and serves adults with developmental disabilities.


    Minnesotans seek relief at pools, cooling centers as dangerous heat grips state


    Minnesota candidates stress tough phases in own lives to connect with voters on affordability


    Minnesota advocates worry about disability rights with move of federal special education office


    Cold Spring group home employee stabbed to death

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    5 mins
  • Heat index off the charts for much of Minnesota. Fosston wants its local hospital back
    Jun 29 2026

    An extreme heat warning takes effect Monday across much of central and southern Minnesota could see temperatures hit the 90s and heat indices making it feel like 110. And with that high heat, the state's Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people visiting state parks to stay hydrated and seek shady areas.


    A judge in Polk County ruled in favor of the rural city of Fosston this past week as it takes on the big hospital system that took over its local hospital. Fosston argues that heath care has worsened since Duluth-based Essentia Health took over operations in 2009.


    And a new fire service program developed for young adults is off and running in Bemidji.


    Dangerous heat peaks Monday; heat index could reach 110 degrees


    Rural Fosston moves forward in its quest to regain control of local hospital from Essentia Health


    Bemidji fire brigade helps youth with disabilities ladder up their skills

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    5 mins
  • Early voting begins in Minnesota ahead of this year’s primary election
    Jun 26 2026

    Early voting began Friday in Minnesota ahead of this year’s primary election. At the Minneapolis Early Vote Center, some voters were among the first to cast their ballots in person. Voters can vote early by mail or in person. More information is available at MNvotes.org.


    The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted 3 to 2 Friday to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers in the city. The meeting was filled with residents opposed to a proposed data center project. The project’s developer has warned of possible legal action if the moratorium passed. Residents also presented a petition with more than 700 signatures to the state’s Environmental Quality Board, seeking an environmental assessment of the proposed data center.


    The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a budget Friday that includes a 3.8 percent tuition increase for the next school year. Regent Robyn Gulley was the only regent to vote against the increase, citing concerns about transparency in the budget process. University President Rebecca Cunningham says the increase will help maintain accessibility and fair compensation for faculty and staff.


    A 29-year-old worker died early Thursday at a chicken processing plant in central Minnesota. Police say the employee was pinned under equipment in a loading dock area at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Cold Spring. The man’s co-workers removed him, and emergency responders provided medical care, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Pilgrim’s Pride owner JBS says it is conducting an internal review and cooperating with OSHA.


    Dangerous heat remains on track to move into Minnesota starting later this weekend and lasting through much of next week. MPR meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber says heat advisories will likely be issued, with temperatures in the 90s and heat indices reaching triple digits. Monday could bring heat indices of 105 to 108 degrees. Conditions will be cooler along the North Shore, and there’s a chance for thunderstorms Sunday, some of which could be strong in northern Minnesota.

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    4 mins