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.

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.

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.

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 million

Minneapolis City Council to weigh two measures related to George Floyd Square

Steps to honor Hortman, prevent future tragedies take root in year since her assassination

Boelter expected to plead guilty in lawmaker attacks

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.

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 Minnesota

Minneapolis estimates Operation Metro Surge cost the city $700 million

Death penalty off the table for alleged Hortman killer

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Minnesota

Aimee Bock sentenced to 500 months in Feeding Our Future fraud case

Following 2-year hiatus, Soudan underground mine tours to resume on the Iron Range

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And federal authorities announced today they’ve filed criminal charges against 15 Minnesotans accused of stealing millions from federal programs.

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

Good financial news for Target today -- the Minneapolis-based retailer saw better-than-expected sales in the first quarter.

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

Immigration advocates in Minnesota say fear, policy changes and longer processing delays are discouraging some eligible immigrants from applying for U.S. citizenship. Organizations that help immigrants apply for citizenship say applications have dropped over the past year.

Red Lake Nation tribal band members will cast votes Wednesday in an election for leadership positions, including tribal chairman. Tribal secretary and district representative positions are also up for a vote this year. The tribal nation holds elections every four years. Results are expected to be announced Thursday.

Minnesota is being sued by a federal agency over a new state law banning prediction markets.

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

The Minneapolis City Council will revisit a proposal this week for a new emergency responder training center.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped fire crews working to contain two wildfires burning in northern Minnesota. Authorities say the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County was 60 percent contained as of Monday evening. Crews were also fighting the Stewart Trail Fire along the North Shore near Two Harbors. That fire has now been contained.

Hundreds of millions of dollars will go to HCMC, the state’s busiest Level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital, after this year’s legislative session.

Authorities say a downed power line sparked the wildfire that's burning on the North Shore of Lake Superior and has destroyed more than 30 buildings.

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

Minnesota Democratic lawmakers held a sit-in overnight at the Capitol.... demanding that Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth let a gun violence prevention bill face a House vote.

There are still many details about the signed agreement that are not yet known, and a small window left for lawmakers to get bills ready for votes.

And advocates delivered a foot-high stack of petitions to Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth today demanding she let a gun control bill face a vote.

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

There are still many details about the signed agreement that are not yet known, and a small window left for lawmakers to get bills ready for votes.

And lawmakers have come together on a deal to dedicate $165 million to housing programs.

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

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has finished its investigation of a Superior police officer shooting and killing a 42-year old man in April. It's one of two police shootings in Superior in the past two months.

A ban on prediction markets passed both the Minnesota Senate and House Tuesday, and now heads to the governor's desk.

The Fargo City Commission will likely approve a new police chief Monday night. Interim Chief Travis Stefonowicz is the sole finalist in the search for Fargo’s Chief of Police. Stefonowicz would be replacing Dave Zibolski, who retired last month and drew criticism over the department’s use of artificial intelligence to identify and arrest a women for a crime even though she said she'd never been to Fargo.

Minnesota is one of several states debating a proposal to allow for "plug-in solar" or "balcony solar." The bill allows people to quickly connect small scale solar systems to their homes or apartments.

And a preliminary report from federal investigators says a pilot radioed “abort” and started turning shortly after takeoff from Crystal Airport last month... before the plane crashed, killing both people aboard.

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

A proposal to create an independent watchdog over state government is nearing a signature from the governor. The proposal to create a new Office of the Inspector General overwhelmingly passed the House.

White Earth Nation leadership shared program updates and priorities for the coming year at the annual State of the Nation Thursday in Mahnomen.

A stretch of Highway 12 in the western Twin Cities will be closed again this weekend. That closure runs between Interstate 494 in Minnetonka and Central Avenue in Wayzata. It begins at 10 p.m. Friday and runs through 5 a.m. Monday. Traffic will be detoured to Highway 55.

And a Minneapolis man pleaded guilty this morning to spraying vinegar on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar earlier this year.

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

A man accused of spraying vinegar on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is due back in federal court Thursday morning where he’s expected to enter a guilty plea.

One of a series of bills to curb fraud in state programs stalled in a Minnesota House committee Tuesday. The bill aims to stop fraudsters from getting more state money from another agency. Without Republican support, it got bogged down in a tie vote.

Border Czar Tom Homan says mistakes were made in Minneapolis earlier this year during ICE's enforcement on immigration. Homan says the public will continue to see mass deportations, especially in sanctuary cities.

And local leaders and labor unions are urging Minnesota lawmakers to prioritize lead pipe replacement this year.

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

And Minnesota's newly named temporary commissioner for the Department of Human Services is out on medical leave for at least the next month.

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

It is difficult for the courts to claw back public money stolen through fraud. So a group of Minnesota legislators are trying a new approach to create a tax on fraud.

The U.S. Justice Department says it’s suing the state of Minnesota to stop a lawsuit that the state filed against the oil industry over climate change. At issue is a 2020 lawsuit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison alleging ExxonMobil, Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institute deceived and defrauded Minnesotans about climate change. The suit is still making its way through the courts.

The Minnesota Board of Pardons held an emergency meeting Monday to grant clemency to a man facing deportation to Laos because of a past conviction.

At "Ricky" Chandee was convicted of second-degree assault more than 30 years ago. He received a deportation order after serving his sentence. Chandee is among several immigrants who have asked the state to pardon convictions that disrupted their status in the U.S.

Also Monday, a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit over federal agents’ treatment of protesters and observers during increased federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Depleted by injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves saw other players step up on Thursday to lift them to a first-round playoff series win over Denver. Now the battered Wolves face another tough test against San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals starting Monday night.

Expect traffic delays on a busy central Minnesota highway over the next couple of months as a detour goes into effect starting Monday. That detour is along U.S. Highway 10 just east of Wadena. MnDOT says it's to allow crews to replace a culvert under the highway. It'll be a short detour to start, but that will be extended to a much longer route in early June as crews replace a second culvert. The detour will remain in place until early to mid-July.

The average price of gas in Minnesota has now climbed above $4 a gallon amid the ongoing war in Iran and uncertainty about the Strait of Hormuz.

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

The judge presiding over the Feeding Our Future case is limiting convicted ringleader Aimee Bock’s access to confidential case documents after she allegedly directed her sons to send the files to reporters and elected officials.

As gas prices climb, drivers want to fill up at the gas station offering the cheapest gas. One south Minneapolis independent gas station with cheaper prices says it's seeing heavier traffic since the start of the war in Iran.

And Minnesota's unemployment rate stayed steady last month. The state added 800 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis between February and March, but fewer people were looking for jobs.

Three members of a Prior Lake family are facing federal charges for allegedly attacking a conservative influencer outside the Whipple federal building earlier this month.

A bill to help the financially troubled HCMC hospital and fill gaps left by federal cuts in Medicaid and food assistance passed the state Senate Wednesday afternoon.

And a citizens group is suing the northeastern Minnesota city of Hermantown to block a proposed Google data center.

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

From 2024: Adam Fravel sentenced to life in prison for murdering Madeline Kingsbury

Prior Lake family charged with assaulting conservative influencer at ICE protest

Citizens' group files lawsuit to block Google's proposed Hermantown data center

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And the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after gunfire left one person dead and a police officer injured early this morning in Richfield.

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

Gov. Tim Walz delivered his final State of the State speech Tuesday. The two-term Democrat had plenty of support from members of his party as he listed off the changes his administration has ushered through.

A new health inequities analysis released Wednesday shows widespread racial and ethnic disparities persist in Minnesota.

Runoff from this week’s snowmelt and heavy rain continues to keep rivers running high in northeastern Minnesota. A flood warning goes into effect Thursday morning along the South Kawishiwi River near Ely.

The federal Department of Homeland Security says the warrants are part of an ongoing criminal investigation related to fraud. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families confirmed the operation, saying it stems from information it shared with state and federal law enforcement.

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

President Donald Trump signed legislation Monday that overturned a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The Senate passed the bill by just one vote two weeks ago. It allows copper and nickel mines to now resume exploration and submit mine plans. It's a win for Twin Metals, which wants to open an underground mine near Ely.

And a bill to help businesses affected by this winter's federal immigration crackdown is headed for a Minnesota Senate floor vote.

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

Minnesota Senate Democrats passed their catch-all elections bill for the year on a party-line vote Thursday. The bill includes measures to shield home addresses of politicians for safety. It also makes voter intimidation and harassment of election officials a felony.

Minneapolis will add a commemorative street name on the city's north side to honor Birdell Beeks. The City Council voted Thursday to add her name to a street sign near the site of her death. Nearly 10 years ago Beeks was killed by a stray bullet while she sat in her minivan with her granddaughter.

A bill introduced at the Capitol Thursday would change how suspicious deaths tied to domestic violence are investigated. The bill is named for Allison Lussier, a 47-year-old Indigenous woman found dead in her Minneapolis apartment in February 2024. Her death was initially ruled suspicious; police later investigated it as a homicide. Lussier's family has accused Minneapolis police of ignoring signs of domestic violence.

And the Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote on whether to extend the city's eviction notice period from 30 days to 45.

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

Those include the case of Allison Lussier, an Indigenous woman who was found dead in her apartment in 2024 after reporting domestic violence to the police. Lussier's death remains unsolved. As well as the case of Davis Moturi, a Black man who was shot by his white neighbor after Moturi reported escalating harassment for more than a year.

Fargo’s five mayoral candidates sparred over homelessness and the city’s budget problems at their first debate Tuesday. Fargo’s mayoral election is in June.

And the Nobles County Board voted this morning to deny a zoning change that would've allowed data centers to be built on farmland in the southwestern Minnesota County.

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

Businesses are beginning to file refund requests for tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.

Experts who study child abuse say Minnesota’s attempts to outlaw grooming are a step in the right direction, but more changes are needed. Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill to make grooming a felony, ban teachers from being alone with students on field trips and require grooming prevention training.

Federal prosecutors are inching closer to a decision on whether to seek the death penalty for the man accused of killing former DFL Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.

Supporters of Thursday’s U.S. Senate vote to overturn a 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are emphasizing that environmental safeguards remain in place. The move reopens the door for projects like Twin Metals’ proposed underground copper-nickel mine near Ely. Opponents of Thursday’s vote say they’ll continue to challenge proposed mines near the BWCA whether at the state level, or through the courts.

Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his family filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against the man charged with shooting them last June.

Minnesota lost jobs in February, and state officials are linking the decline to federal immigration enforcement.

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

And Gov. Tim Walz and local school officials are pushing to make early childhood education more affordable for additional families. At an early childhood education site in Rochester, Walz detailed a plan he wants the Legislature to pass before the end of session.

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

Wednesday is the deadline to file your taxes — but if you haven't finished filing, you have options.

The judge presiding over the Feeding Our Future case continues to hand down sentences. The latest defendant to appear in court got 18 months in prison. Since late 2022, 58 people have pleaded guilty and another 7 were convicted at trial in a $300 million scheme that prosecutors say was the nation's largest COVID fraud.

Thunderstorms, hail and at least one tornado scoured southern Minnesota last night.

This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.

A Burnsville woman could die if she's not freed from immigration detention soon, her lawyer says. Andrea Pedro-Francisco is a 23-year old Guatemalan woman who was arrested in February in the south metro suburb where she and her family live.

Immigration agents sent her to a detention center in Texas. Pedro-Francisco was about to have surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst. Her lawyer, Asra Syed, says she needs immediate medical care.

Friends and family of a Wisconsin man who was shot and killed last week by a Superior police officer are speaking out against the death. Autumn Khalar was with 42-year-old David Menton on April 7 when he was killed. Khalar says Menton was not a threat to the officer and the shooting wasn't justified.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating. The Superior Police Department says its officers responded to a, quote, "rapidly evolving dangerous situation. They are now navigating not only the weight of that moment, but also the scrutiny that follows."

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Severe storms drop baseball-sized hail, tornadoes in southern Minnesota

Burnsville woman in ICE detention can’t access lifesaving surgery, lawyer says

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Financial relief for small businesses affected by the federal immigration enforcement surge remains in the mix at the Legislature.

This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.

And the Minneapolis City Council voted yesterday against reappointing Todd Barnette as the city's community safety commissioner. Mayor Jacob Frey says he'll veto that and keep Barnette in that role.

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

HCMC, the state’s busiest trauma center, is struggling financially. A bipartisan bill that would use revenue from a ballpark tax to help fund it got its first hearing in the legislature Thursday.

For many immigrants in Minnesota, the final step to becoming a U.S. citizen is taking longer than expected. Oath ceremonies have dropped from about four a month to just one, according to the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.

A federal judge today dissolved a temporary injunction barring federal agents from retaliating against people observing ICE activities.

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

A man who operated a banquet hall that was a key part of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is heading to prison for more than three years. Abdullahe Jesow used a fake nonprofit called Academy for Youth Excellence to siphon $4.3 million from taxpayer funded child nutrition programs by falsely claiming to have served millions of meals to kids during COVID.

And Minnesota mayors were at the state Capitol today asking for money to help businesses recover from the immigration agent surge.

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

Minnesota's electrical grid is in the midst of a massive expansion. Renewable energy advocates and utilities say new transmission lines are needed to make the grid more reliable. Xcel says that the proposal will face a lengthy environmental review, and they likely won't break ground until 2030.

And state lawmakers return for the last leg of their session today after a holiday break.

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

The first defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme to admit his involvement is avoiding prison because of his cooperation with investigators. After the FBI raided Feeding Our Future's offices and two dozen other locations in early 2022, Bekam Merdassa was the first conspirator to come forward. He pleaded guilty later that year.

Many farmers across Minnesota will soon start planting their crops. While some ordered the fertilizer and fuel they’ll need ahead of time, those who didn’t now face huge price increases due to the war in Iran.

Minnesota's top judge is retiring in September. Chief Justice Natalie Hudson's planned departure gives Gov. Tim Walz one more major appointment to the Supreme Court.

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

A federal judge in Minneapolis is deciding whether the government may use military attorneys to prosecute civilians. The Justice Department has sent Army lawyers to Minnesota after an exodus of federal prosecutors.

The Trump administration is closing a globally recognized forest research center in Grand Rapids. The Forest Service is moving its headquarters from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City. It's also shuttering more than 50 research facilities around the country, including an office in Grand Rapids.

And St. Paul officials say an investigation into police actions during a November immigration operation is still underway.

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

And for the first time since May of 2007, Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up higher than the nation's.

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

And the city of Minneapolis will hold two open houses later this month, to provide an update on construction projects slated to begin in June at George Floyd Square.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR news. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

Thousands of Minnesotans are expected to lose their SNAP benefits starting as soon as Wednesday due to stricter work and eligibility requirements. Now, all able-bodied adults under the age of 65 must work at least 80 hours a month in order to continue receiving their monthly SNAP food aid benefits. Until today, the work requirement had applied to those under age 55.

A new bill would exempt families from a rule stripping subsidized child care funding after 25 absent days. Child care programs do not receive payment after a child misses 25 days. Parents fearing immigration enforcement kept kids home and are approaching this limit.

And the City of Fargo has appointed an interim police chief to replace retiring Chief Dave Zibolski.

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

Federal officials said in public statements during the surge that they were targeting the “worst of the worst.” The new data shows that fewer than a quarter of those arrested had a criminal conviction on their record. The vast majority were arrested for civil immigration violations.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Minnesota Monday over policies that allow transgender athletes to play on teams consistent with their gender. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Monday called the lawsuit a, “sad attempt to get attention over something that’s already been in litigation for months.”

And the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office came in close to $15.5 million dollars over budget in 2025.

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 Agriculture canceled most funding for a $300 million program designed to help underserved farmers access land nationwide. That affected three projects active in Minnesota.

The MSP Airport Foundation says it helped distribute about $30,000 in donation money to TSA workers who have gone weeks without pay during the government shutdown.