And more than 63,000 Minnesota voters have already cast absentee ballots. That's according to the latest stats posted today.

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

And the city of St. Paul today released the full report from an outside investigation into misconduct allegations against Mayor Kaohly Her.

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

The Minneapolis City Council is poised to approve an ordinance to require human safety monitors in driverless rideshare vehicles. But if they do, Mayor Jacob Frey could veto it.

More than 5,000 immigrants in Minnesota will lose access to federally funded Medicaid health coverage Thursday.

Authorities have released the names of two of the three people who died in a crash between a car and a semi in Minneapolis early Tuesday.

And the Saint Paul City Council passed a resolution to pay for Mayor Kaohly Her and the city's defense in a lawsuit filed against her by Police Chief Axel Henry.

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

The Minnesota Attorney General’s office has charged nine people with Medicaid fraud totaling $3 million. Of that money allegedly stolen from Minnesota’s Medicaid programs, $2 million is connected to Peter Meilahn. He’s a Duluth resident who provided psychotherapy and mental health services through his own practice and worked as an independent contracted therapist for Franklin Family Services.

Starting Thursday, thousands of immigrants in Minnesota will lose access to Medicaid benefits. Refugees and asylees used to have those benefits while they awaited a green card, but a new federal law taking effect Thursday makes them ineligible.

A Roosevelt High School teacher in Minneapolis who was violently detained by federal agents outside the school in January has filed a claim against the government.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system has been warning state officials it may have to close campuses around the state if its budget isn't shored up.

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

The Detroit Lakes school board voted Monday night to alter the language of a resolution banning rainbow stickers from schools. They rescinded the ban and are now considering a new policy that does not specifically mention rainbow stickers. But the board members would not state whether the intention was still to ban them.

The parents of Harper Moyski, a 10-year-old killed in the Annunciation Catholic Church and School mass shooting last year, were among advocates for gun violence prevention who joined a canvass last weekend in a competitive legislative district.

And teams of state and federal officials will begin assessing the damage in New Richland later this week after the southern Minnesota community was hit by heavy flooding more than a week ago.

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

And the man convicted in federal court of murdering former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is now preparing for a state trial.

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

Minnesota is considering changes to its annual K-12 academic testing procedures. Students and teachers spend time each spring on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, which measure how schools are helping students progress in reading, math and science.

New Richland city officials say 10 to 12 homes in the small southern Minnesota community are expected to be total losses from last weekend's flooding.

And gas and diesel prices in Minnesota have been flat or slightly falling over the past couple days.

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

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension set new guidelines Wednesday to help law enforcement agencies take a more victim-centered and consistent approach to investigating sexual assault cases. Breanna Heisterkamp, a forensic nurse manager at Hennepin Healthcare, says the guidelines will help investigators better understand victims.

Some rideshare drivers in Minneapolis are asking the city council to limit how autonomous vehicles can operate in the city. The company Waymo is currently testing its driverless taxis in the city. The council is considering a requirement for Waymo and similar companies to pay a licensed driver to monitor the car.

And downtown St. Paul has a grocery store again with the Aldi now open at the intersection of Robert and 10th streets. The grand opening ribbon-cutting is Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

And the Minneapolis Mobile Medical Unit has treated more than 4,000 community members in its first year of operation.

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

Bipartisan negotiations continue on a federal proposal to establish guardrails for artificial intelligence.

Official estimates suggest nationwide corn yields will decline this year. Some experts say actual yields could be even lower because of drought conditions.

The Minneapolis City Council will hear public input Tuesday on a proposal that would require driverless taxis to have a person sitting in the driver’s seat. The ordinance would regulate autonomous vehicle companies including Waymo, which is testing vehicles in Minneapolis. Council member Robin Wonsley says the proposal is intended to protect rideshare jobs and address safety concerns. Waymo says the restrictions would limit its ability to operate in the city.

Detroit Lakes Public Schools is revisiting a ban on displaying rainbows on campus. The School Board approved the measure this summer, targeting stickers used by some teachers to identify classrooms as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students, but later paused enforcement while attorneys revised the language. Board members will discuss a new version Tuesday that does not specifically mention rainbows. The policy could be approved as soon as next month.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has amended her proposed 2027 budget, reversing an earlier proposal to close the Dayton’s Bluff Library. Her says higher-than-expected revenue projections, including additional money from a franchise agreement with Xcel Energy, allow the city to restore funding for the library and Highwood Hills Recreation Center. The updated proposal also restores morning hours at city recreation centers.

Early and absentee voting for November's midterm election starts Friday in Minnesota, just days after the Supreme Court blocked efforts by the Trump administration to curtail mail-in voting.

A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for spraying vinegar on DFL Congresswoman Ilhan Omar earlier this year.

After two seasons of much anticipation, Minnesota fans will get a visit from the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled in 2027. The league will make a tour stop in Minneapolis next year.

An outside investigation into St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her found she engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior” with city employees, but did not substantiate allegations that she sexually harassed or retaliated against employees. The findings were released Friday and outline steps for Her to take, including workplace conduct training. Her says she will comply. The investigation followed a complaint filed by Police Chief Axel Henry.

Early voting for the midterm elections begins Friday in Minnesota. Community leaders are encouraging people to make a plan to vote and are organizing efforts to help people get to the polls and understand their voting rights. Mail-in voting procedures in Minnesota have not changed from past years. Residents can vote in person starting Friday, and voting information and locations are available through the Secretary of State’s office.

Early and absentee voting for November's midterm election starts Friday in Minnesota, just days after the Supreme Court blocked efforts by the Trump administration to curtail mail-in voting.

A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for spraying vinegar on DFL Congresswoman Ilhan Omar earlier this year.

After two seasons of much anticipation, Minnesota fans will get a visit from the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled in 2027. The league will make a tour stop in Minneapolis next year.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows the extent of drought in Minnesota largely unchanged over the past week, although conditions have improved in some areas. Much of northeastern Minnesota moved from severe to moderate drought after recent rainfall. About 71 percent of the state remains in some level of drought, with especially dry conditions in the Twin Cities, Red River Valley and east-central Minnesota.

Minneapolis police have released body camera footage showing officers’ encounter with the gunman during a mass shooting at an apartment complex earlier this month. The September 2 shooting left two residents dead and several people wounded, including two officers. The gunman, Carlton Johnson II, was fatally shot by police. The footage shows four officers’ perspectives on an exchange of gunfire in a ninth-floor hallway.

Several first-time candidates are running for local office in Pine Island and other Minnesota communities this fall, driven by concerns about new hyperscale data centers. Pine Island’s City Council approved Google’s plan for an 88-acre facility that could eventually expand to more than 400 acres. City Council candidate Tosca Wohl says she was prompted to run by concerns about transparency. Data centers have become an issue in races around the state, with some candidates supporting moratoriums or additional regulations.

St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker said in an interview this week that more permanent supportive housing is what's needed to solve the unhoused issue in the city.

U.S. Senator Tina Smith says she's working to help free a Somali man arrested in Minnesota and sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Federal agents arrested Adam Abdullah in December. The 31-year-old asylum seeker told MPR News last week that he's one of eight Somalis there and is limited to one 10-minute phone call a day.

Summit Brewing Company could lose its St. Paul brewery to foreclosure after its lender sued over more than $8 million in unpaid debt. A first court hearing on that lawsuit is set for Friday.

Two judges at the Fort Snelling immigration court have stepped down. Their departures last month mean there are just four full-time judges to handle tens of thousands of cases. The immigration court — part of the Executive Branch — decides deportation and asylum cases.

The city of Fargo and a police detective are being sued by a woman who says she was falsely arrested after police relied on artificial intelligence. Angela Lipps was arrested in Tennessee last year and held in jail for six months in connection with a case of bank fraud in Fargo.

And Carleton College has announced it will eliminate loans from its financial aid packages beginning next fall.

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

The Olmsted County Board will consider competing plans Tuesday for the long-vacant Seneca Foods site.

Fire officials in Duluth say a worker was injured when a large fuel tank exploded at a fuel transfer facility.

Local officials and cycling advocates are celebrating the completion of the state's longest paved biking trail Tuesday in Tower, Minn.

And those high diesel prices are throttling the benefits of the highest corn prices in three years. Part of the rally in corn prices is due to U.S. expectations of a tighter crop supply, making it more valuable. Jordan Goblish farms corn, soybeans and black beans in Redwood County. He says the price bump is nice, but it's not enough to fully offset increasing costs.

Two office buildings in downtown St. Paul have a new owner. 375 Jackson Street and 135 5th Street were recently purchased by Florida real estate investor Jamie Rand through his Downtown Revival Trust.

The average tenures of Minnesota school board members are shrinking. School board members are serving about half as long as they once did.

And hundreds of people in St. Paul gathered to pack meals for food shelves today to commemorate 25 years since 9/11.

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

A man convicted in the 1970 ambush killing of a St. Paul police officer is expected back before the state parole board Friday.

The Republican nominee for Minnesota governor doesn’t support President Donald Trump’s plan to issue five thousand dollar dividends to all adult citizens if Republicans keep congressional control.

The city of Crystal is the latest municipality in Minnesota to stop using Flock cameras.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs executed a search warrant at a tribal building on the Red Lake Reservation Thursday.

And a Hennepin County judge today found a Minneapolis man not guilty by reason of mental illness in the 2023 killing of a Loring Park grocery store clerk.

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

And a congressional watchdog has cleared U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of allegations of 'false reporting of her assets.’

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

Two of the defendants charged in the brutal killing of a transgender man from Minnesota in upstate New York last year were sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without parole.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said police should have filed an extreme risk protection order against the suspect in last week’s mass shooting in downtown Minneapolis.

And classes are back in session today for many Minnesota school children. Some districts got state approval to start the school year before Labor Day, but now that the holiday is behind us, most schools are now open.

Back-to-school season means back to riding the big yellow bus. But as Minnesota sees record high diesel prices, school bus operations are juggling more costs to get students to the classroom.

North Dakota is banning some forms of kratom and is regulating others. People use the drug recreationally and to help with pain.

GoFundMe pages have been created to support at least two people who were critically injured last week in a mass shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building. Investigators say three were killed in the shooting, including the shooter. Several people were injured, including Minneapolis police officers.

And Minnesota officials can fine technology companies that enable creation of AI-generated nude images of real people, after a federal judge declined to put a new state law on hold as a lawsuit proceeds.

And authorities continue to investigate yesterday’s mass shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building that left three people dead, including the suspected gunman.

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

Minnesota’s first congressional district race is gaining national attention as a political newcomer attempts to unseat GOP incumbent Rep. Brad Finstad.

Minnesota senators successfully pushed to postpone a ban on hemp products.

A Hennepin County judge set a Nov. 2 trial date for the man who killed DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Vance Boelter is serving two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years after pleading guilty in June to federal charges. But at a hearing Wednesday he pleaded not guilty to similar state charges.

The first imports of discounted, foreign beef are expected to enter the U.S. this month. President Donald Trump announced the imports last week, requiring this new beef to be sold at 25 percent below the market price.

A judge in Minneapolis Tuesday handed lengthy prison sentences to the two men convicted in a mass shooting last year. Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos sentenced Arlonzo Williams Jr.

Members of Minnesota's Nepali community and supporters gathered outside the state Capitol Tuesday to honor the victims of flash floods and landslides in Nepal and Tibet.

And Minnesota's Supreme Court heard arguments today in a discrimination case weighing whether a Catholic school illegally fired a transgender employee.

The Democratic candidate running against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer says Congress has been weakened under President Donald Trump. Election policy expert Doug Chapin is running against Emmer in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. Emmer is part of Republican House leadership and has won his six previous races easily. Chapin says Emmer has allowed executive power to grow on his watch, but says the changing district and an anti-incumbent mood could work in his favor.

A months-long strike in Chisago County is officially over after the county board approved contract agreements for striking workers. About 125 county workers had been on strike since May. That was about a third of the county’s staff, including health and human services workers and other government center employees. The union says the three-year deal includes pay raises and better health care plans.

Thousands of dead fish have washed up on the shores of Lake Mille Lacs in recent weeks. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it is common for some fish to die every summer, but hotter-than-normal weather has increased lake temperatures. That can be hard on cold-water fish such as tullibee, also known as cisco. Cisco populations are under pressure in some Minnesota lakes that are warming due to climate change.

And the planned merger of North Memorial Health and Sanford Health is moving forward.

Those stories and more from today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

Bells tolled across the Twin Cities Thursday morning to mark one year since the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. The bells rang at 8:26 a.m. in tribute to Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, the children who died in the shooting. The Annunciation community says it is focused on remembrance and is asking people to place two candles or lights in their windows in memory of Harper and Fletcher.

Minnesota’s Secretary of State’s Office says it is too late to start a recount of the Republican governor’s primary and complete it before ballots need to be prepared for the general election. A filing with the state Supreme Court seeks dismissal of Mike Lindell’s bid for a hand recount. Lindell failed to formally request and pay for a recount by a Monday deadline. He lost the GOP primary to Lisa Demuth by 45,000 votes.

The Minnesota State Fair opened Thursday morning, with crowds already filling the streets. Some fairgoers lined up as early as 24 hours before the gates opened for a chance to be first inside. Visitors are enjoying a warm, sunny day at the fair, with long lines already forming for donuts, coffee and crop art.

The union representing Chisago County workers who have been on strike for nearly four months says it has reached a tentative contract agreement. Teamsters Local 320 says the three-year deal is slated for a ratification vote Friday. The union says the agreement addresses two main sticking points, including a wage increase of more than 20 percent over three years and health insurance through the Teamsters. About 125 union members have been on strike since May 1.

A federal judge in Texas refused to order Gov. Greg Abbott to extradite an ICE agent charged with shooting and wounding a man in Minneapolis. The shooting happened during the Trump Administration's Minnesota immigration operation.

On Thursday, Minneapolis marks one year since the shooting at Annunciation Church and School, with a day of service and remembrance in Pearl Park. One year ago, a shooter injured 29 people with gunfire, killing two children.

Get ready for Sweet Martha’s Cookies, crop art, Grandstand shows and all the rest — the Minnesota State Fair kicks off its 12-day run Thursday.

And Minneapolis is holding listening sessions to get residents' input on what they want in a new police chief.

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

And fans around the world and here in Minnesota are mourning the loss of music icon, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dolly Parton. She died today in Nashville at the age of 80. Dolly Parton was no stranger to Minnesota over the years -- including a concert at Grand Casino Hinckley in 2016.

A statewide coalition is working to reverse the trend of declining vaccination rates across Minnesota.

A federal judge has set a hearing for next week to hear why the government believes it shouldn’t be held in contempt of court for violating an injunction barring immigration actions at a Minneapolis church.

The U.S. imposed high tariffs on Canadian goods over the weekend after trade talks between the two countries broke down. Canada is Minnesota’s largest foreign trading partner, and the two economies are closely connected through cross-border trade and travel.

State Rep. Paul Anderson co-hosted a town hall forum yesterday about the facility that will begin housing people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers later this year. Anderson says he understands some people have moral objections to the detention of immigrants.

This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

And the state is shutting down Minnesota group homes run by a Liberian government official due to fraud allegations and safety risks, after an MPR News and APM Reports investigation.

This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

Documents from a lawsuit against firearms retailer Fleet Farm were made public Wednesday. The case was settled in February. Attorney General Keith Ellison's office sued Fleet Farm in 2022. It alleged that the retailer negligently sold firearms to straw buyers.

Mike Lindell says he'll pay for a hand recount in the Republican governor primary that he lost by tens of thousands of votes. The founder of MyPillow says he wants a statewide hand recount and audit of every paper ballot cast in the Republican primary for governor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar says she wants to break from the St. Paul status quo. Klobuchar has called for a full state government audit, a money-back guarantee if state permits come late, and bipartisan plans to reshape health care, housing and economic development. Gov. Tim Walz has publicly clashed with President Donald Trump, and Klobuchar says she would push back when Trump’s actions hurt Minnesota. Lisa Demuth, who is running against Klobuchar, says the only way to change the status quo in St. Paul is to elect a Republican.

The mayor of New Hope is calling on state lawmakers to reverse a 2024 law that stripped cities of the power to shut down group homes. Only the state has that authority now. The law came after New Hope tried to close group homes tied to Sekou Dukuly, the subject of an MPR News and APM Reports investigation. New Hope Mayor John Elder says the state does not have enough staff to adequately monitor group homes.

Minnesota gas prices are currently higher than the national average, according to Triple-A. St. Thomas economics professor Tyler Schipper says the U.S. war against Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Schipper says Minnesota usually tends to be a little below the national average because the state gets more oil from Canada that is refined locally. He says he would not be surprised if Minnesota prices fall below the national average next week.

El Niño is strengthening quickly, according to NOAA, and that could have big implications for Minnesota’s upcoming winter.

A federal judge will hear arguments Wednesday on a request to upend Minnesota's new law banning use of AI to create certain nude images. The law passed this year seeks to punish use of AI technology that permits creation and distribution of fake images of people naked without their consent.

Minnesota and U.S. vaccination rates declined while exemptions are at a record high, according to new data from the CDC.

A new MPR News and APM Reports investigation is having a political impact in Liberia.

A Blaine City Council member and candidate for Minnesota House says her vehicle was covered with obscene photos over the weekend. Police say it was a juvenile matter.

Voting opens Tuesday for residents on St. Paul’s west side to pick a new name for Cesar Chavez Street. The busy street is being renamed after the famed activist was accused of sexual assault. One parameter for the new name was that it could not honor a specific person.

A former assistant Anoka County attorney appeared in Hennepin County court Monday for allegedly running an online sex trafficking ring. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Andrea Sampson was an assistant attorney in the civil and family law divisions while she and three others trafficked women as young as 19.

A vigil Monday will honor a mother and daughter killed inside a home daycare last Wednesday in Hopkins.

Wisconsin health officials confirm that there are at least fifteen cases of measles in an outbreak in the southwest part of the state.

A former assistant Anoka County attorney is due in court Monday for allegedly running a Hennepin County prostitution ring.

And newly filed court documents show that Homeland Security agents conducted widespread surveillance of anti-ICE protesters.

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

One of the 15 Minnesota protesters the Department of Justice has charged with conspiracy says that federal law enforcement illegally spied on citizens this winter. The allegation comes in a court filing today from attorney Kevin Riach.

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

Budget season is officially underway in the Twin Cities, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey unveiling his budget proposal Wednesday and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her releasing hers Thursday. Next comes public hearings and a final budget in December.

American Association baseball is returning to Minnesota. The league previously included the St. Paul Saints, who left after the 2020 season to become the Minnesota Twins’ AAA affiliate. The American Association is expanding to Blaine with a new team following the city’s announcement of its $750 million development called the Farm.

Officials with the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation have unveiled the design for a new bridge between Duluth and Superior. Demolition of the old bridge will begin in March. It will be closed for four to five years while the new bridge is built in its place. Traffic will be diverted over the Bong Bridge about five miles away.

Child, 2 adults dead in apparent murder-suicide at Hopkins daycare

Minneapolis mayor's budget proposal cuts staffing, raises property taxes

St. Paul mayor to propose first budget amid controversies

American Association baseball returning to Minnesota with new Blaine team

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

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won a decisive victory in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. Flanagan defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. The margin of victory was much wider than many expected in a race where Flanagan was vastly outspent.

At her victory party at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, Flanagan turned her gaze toward her November opponent, former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, who won the Republican nomination. Minnesota hasn't elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2002. But Tafoya says she's a new kind of candidate and says she will not be beholden to her party or President Donald Trump.

A crew member assigned to work to contain the wildfires that are burning in northern Minnesota has died. The incident management team that is overseeing firefighting operations says in a statement that “a medical emergency occurred” at about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday “involving an individual assigned to the incident.”

Klobuchar is DFL nominee for governor, Demuth wins GOP race over two rivals

Flanagan wins DFL duel in Senate race, Tafoya claims GOP nod for open seat

Crew member battling to contain northern Minnesota wildfires dies

A man convicted in the 1970 murder of a St. Paul police officer goes before Minnesota’s parole board Tuesday. Ronald Reed was 19 when he ambushed Officer James Sackett Sr. with a high-powered rifle as he responded to a fake emergency call.

More than 80 businesses have signed a letter asking the state for help after wildfires disrupted business during what is normally the busiest time of year in northeast Minnesota.

West St. Paul is suspending its contract with Flock Safety and removing the company’s automated license plate reader cameras.

The federal government is laying out a new vision for Head Start programs nationwide — including limiting the amount local centers can spend on administrative costs.

And a power failure at a Minneapolis data center called the 5-11 Building is likely behind disruptions to several government services Thursday -- including some 911 lines and voting machines.

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

Drought and dry conditions have covered most of Minnesota. But recently, key production areas had good rain prompting some to think yields of wheat, corn and soybeans in the state could be just as good or better than last year's records.

Five candidates are on the ballot to lead the Hennepin County attorney’s office after Mary Moriarty declined to run for reelection.

Kratom is now banned in North Dakota at least until a special legislative session. Minnesota recently upped the legal age for buying it from 18 to 21.

Republicans running for U.S. Senate are making closing pitches.

But there was welcome rain in the Boundary Waters fire zone this morning.

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

News that the Prairie Correctional facility in Appleton will reopen as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center has divided some community members.

A Twin Cities woman who suffered salmonella poisoning after eating takeout from Chipotle is suing the restaurant chain.

Minneapolis park officials say a blue-green algae bloom is underway at Cedar Lake. Testing confirmed the toxic algae and a warning is now in place for all three beaches at Cedar Lake. People and pets should stay out of the water.

The Moorhead Police Department is searching for a missing Indigenous woman with family ties to a long-standing cold case in Duluth.

And the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update for Minnesota is showing a SLIGHT improvement in long-standing drought conditions across the state.

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

Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.

The Winona Police Department is investigating the disappearance of the city's Flock cameras. Winona police say that all eight of their Flock cameras, which are used to capture license plate numbers and other vehicle information, are gone.

Target Field concession workers have announced a one-day strike Wednesday at the sold out Noah Kahan concert. The expected strike follows one in June when the Twins played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The union and the concessions vendor have been in negotiations since March.

Governor Tim Walz says there is no need to extend a peacetime emergency declaration for the wildfires that have burned through parts of the Boundary Waters.

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

Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.

The Winona Police Department is investigating the disappearance of the city's Flock cameras. Winona police say that all eight of their Flock cameras, which are used to capture license plate numbers and other vehicle information, are gone.

Target Field concession workers have announced a one-day strike Wednesday at the sold out Noah Kahan concert. The expected strike follows one in June when the Twins played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The union and the concessions vendor have been in negotiations since March.

And aging infrastructure and outdated I-T systems may have contributed to recent cyberattacks on Minnesota water systems.

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

The city will hold a special public hearing at noon Tuesday to continue hearing from constituents. The plan has faced fierce opposition. City leaders say the closure is needed after an increase in emergency calls to the encampment.

Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since a cyberattack last week. That attack temporarily took some local water systems offline and prompted officials to review their cybersecurity measures. Minnesota was one of seven states that reported attacks on water systems. Officials have not identified who was behind it, but the New York Times reports investigators suspect Iran.

Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette has agreed to continue to serve in his post until the end of the year as the city searches for his replacement. Barnette has served for one three-year term as commissioner for the office of community safety, which was created in 2022 and oversees police, fire and neighborhood safety.

Mayor Jacob Frey nominated Barnette to a second term this spring, but the Minneapolis City Council twice rejected his nomination. Council members cited the slow pace of police reform in the city and almost $20 million in police budget overruns last year.

The Republican-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate is not being allowed to take part in a candidate forum at this week's Farmfest. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze is not among the candidates on the list for the Senate forum Wednesday. The current lineup includes four other candidates — two Democrats and two Republicans. The annual agriculture industry event kicks off Tuesday in Redwood County in southern Minnesota. Schwarze was told by organizers that candidates have to have at least 15 percent support in publicly reported polls.

Cyberattacks in Minnesota expose vulnerability of U.S. water systems

Todd Barnette will remain in city safety post during replacement search

And federal officials say Minnesota was one of at least seven states that reported cyberattacks on city water systems last week.

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

About 50 people protested on Summit Avenue in St. Paul Sunday ahead of Mayor Kaohly Her's planned homeless encampment closures. The first one is scheduled Wednesday at Pig’s Eye Park. City officials say St. Paul is investing $1 million into additional housing, but there isn‘t enough housing to immediately shelter those who will be displaced this week.

Small business owners in northeastern Minnesota told their state legislators Friday that the wildfires that have been burning in and around the Boundary Waters for almost a month now, are having a “disastrous” impact on their bottom lines.

One canoe outfitter says he lost 98 percent of his revenue in July due to cancellations. Other business owners said they've suffered losses of at least 40 percent, and for some it's much more as the wildfires shut almost everything down during the peak of a relatively short tourism season.

80 workers are to be laid off as Pearson's Candy Company closes its St. Paul facility in September. The company is famous for its Salted Nut Rolls and Nut Goodies. The company is over 100 years old. It started as a family business, but has changed owners three times in the past 15 years.

A new law took effect Saturday aimed at decreasing food waste and boosting food shelf inventory. Minnesota law says stores can't sell eggs past their quality assurance date, which is four to six weeks after the egg was packed. But those eggs can still be safe to eat. Republican Rep. Andrew Myers sponsored a bill this year to let stores donate unsold eggs.

Northeast Minnesota wildfires causing disastrous economic impacts to tourism industry

Pearson’s Candy Company to shut down St. Paul plant

Minnesota economic development officials say the tax that funds the state’s paid family and medical leave program will stay flat for 2027. The Department of Employment and Economic Development says the existing 0.88 percent payroll tax should be enough to cover claims next year. The tax is split between workers and employers. The department says 75,000 people have used the program so far this year, with benefits costing about $600 million.

The Minnesota Department of Health says a large multistate outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite has not been linked to Minnesota. Health officials say Minnesota has reported 98 cases of cyclosporiasis since early May, which is in line with what the state typically sees during the summer. The department says it is not observing any concerning trends. There is currently no indication that contaminated items tied to the outbreak were distributed in Minnesota.

A St. Paul iron foundry is shutting down after years of pressure from community members and regulators. Northern Iron, in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood, has faced fines from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency over excessive air pollution. Regulators took the foundry to court to try to revoke its permit. Northern Iron says uncertainty over whether it would be allowed to keep operating forced it to close, and foundry leaders say they plan to fully close the facility by the end of the year.

Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti ended this week, leaving hundreds of thousands of Haitians across the country facing uncertainty — including some in Minnesota. Immigration attorneys and business groups say the end of the program could also create challenges for employers that rely on TPS holders in industries like long-term care, construction and restaurants.

More allegations emerged Thursday of bizarre behavior by St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. A former deputy police chief told investigators from an outside law firm that the mayor approached her in a locker room and asked if her own breasts were too big before complimenting the officer's breasts. A source with knowledge of the investigation tells MPR News that Her also allegedly made "orgasmic noises" while working out in the police gym.

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Royce White’s bid to undo an order for protection against him is outlined in a new legal filing. That order, granted by a district court judge, requires White to steer clear of his teen son for two years and his former partner for 50 years. Some GOP leaders urged him to drop out of the Senate race after judicial findings earlier this year that White engaged in bouts of aggression and other verbal threats.

Minneapolis has approved the appointment of its next fire chief. Reginald Freeman will join the department after serving as fire chief in Hartford, Connecticut, Oakland, California and some jobs overseas.

New Minnesota laws tackle domestic violence response and prevention

As Haiti TPS protections end, Minnesota immigrants and employers wonder what comes next

Former St. Paul police official alleges Mayor Kaohly Her made inappropriate comments

Minneapolis City Council approves Reginald Freeman as new fire chief

The Forest Service is reopening some entry points at the end of the Gunflint Trail to day trips Friday. Cook County and Forest Service officials say recent rainfall and increased staffing on the Little Knife fire are allowing authorities to lift more evacuation orders and reopen more entry points near the Gunflint Trail. Canoe outfitters and resort owners have been hit hard by recent Boundary Waters closures due to wildfires. More than 40 percent of the area is now reopened.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her says she is cooperating with an independent investigation into allegations that she sexually harassed city employees. In a statement Wednesday, Her said she takes her responsibility to treat every employee with professionalism and respect seriously. Police Chief Axel Henry filed a complaint in April over text messages Her sent to city employees. Her says the texts were “attempts at humor” that fell short of the standard she expects of herself.

Temporary Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner John Connolly says the agency has not had adequate oversight to identify fraud in its social services programs. Federal prosecutors say Medicaid fraud in Minnesota has been happening at an industrial scale. Connolly told MPR News the agency did not have the right policies, infrastructure or capacity to prevent it. Last week, federal officials announced they are withholding an additional $200 million in Medicaid funding.

A company working to open a copper mine on the Iron Range has submitted updated plans to Minnesota environmental regulators. NewRange Copper Nickel is proposing several changes to the controversial project, including changes to how it stores waste tailings. The company also says it will release much less wastewater into the environment. The project earned state permits eight years ago, but lawsuits filed by environmental groups have since stalled it.

Parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are reopening to overnight camping today. With firefighters making good progress containing several wildfires in the region, the Forest Service is opening about 40 percent of the Boundary Waters to overnight visitors.

The Forest Service says it's monitoring conditions daily for opportunities to open more of the wilderness. Many of the most popular entry points, including those at the end of the Gunflint Trail, remain closed.

This summer, blood donations have hit a four-year low, worsening the ongoing emergency blood shortage. The American Red Cross declared a national "blood crisis" in early July as the number of donations have not kept pace with hospital demand. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses have led to lower donor turnout this season. The Red Cross for Minnesota and the Dakotas is asking individuals to donate all blood types, but there is an urgent need for O negative and O positive blood.

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under investigation for alleged sexual harassment. According to reporting by the Star Tribune, Police Chief Axel Henry has filed a complaint against Her for allegedly sending sexually suggestive text messages to a city employee.

A new report finds that federal immigration agents misused force more than 400 times since last summer. Physicians for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law went through hours of video, legal filings and news accounts in their investigation. According to the report, Minneapolis accounted for a quarter of all cases where federal agents misused force on protesters.

Minnesota, other states, will push for ICE protections

Back into the BWCA: Canoeing campers return to the wilderness after wildfire closure

The American Red Cross for Minnesota and the Dakotas declares blood crisis due to shortage

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her under investigation for sexual harassment allegations

Two summer camps in northern Minnesota are resuming activities as wildfire conditions improve. YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagan and Camp du Nord, both near Ely, evacuated campers earlier this month as wildfires burned in and around the Boundary Waters. Camp Widjiwagan plans to reopen Friday for a closing ceremony for campers returning from the Arctic Circle, with more camping trips returning next week. Camp du Nord says it will reopen Sunday while continuing to monitor wildfire activity.

Minnesota lawmakers say they’re confident a federal judge will allow a new law to take effect that bans technology that can make someone appear naked without their consent. The law would allow people portrayed in AI-generated deepfake images to bring civil lawsuits. Elon Musk’s company x.AI has sued to block the law from taking effect Saturday. X.AI argues the law is unconstitutional and could force the company to limit functions on its AI tool.

Attorney General Keith Ellison has shut down a nonprofit after an investigation found hundreds of employees were misclassified as volunteers at concession stands in Twin Cities stadiums. Ellison’s office says MN Fundraising Initiative was not operated for any charitable cause and instead operated as a staffing agency that saved on labor costs. The investigation found the nonprofit consistently paid workers “grants” in exchange for their labor, which Ellison’s office says violates Minnesota law.

The town of Wasioja near Rochester is celebrating the restoration of a Civil War recruiting station. Wasioja was home to one of Minnesota’s first colleges, and 165 years ago, its students were among the first in the country to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War. The recruiting station is the last remaining one in the state. The newly preserved buildings are now open to the public.

Musk's attorneys argue the company already prohibits users from using AI tools to create those images or videos, and they say the company should not be punished if users find a way around that prohibition.

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is alleging that Mayor Kaohly Her directed inappropriate sexual comments toward him and other city staff. The Star Tribune reports that Henry notified the city in April that he'd filed a formal complaint, and that the city has hired a law firm to investigate.

A letter from Henry's attorney that the newspaper obtained includes a screenshot of a sexually suggestive text message that Her allegedly sent to a city employee. A spokesperson said that the mayor has deep respect for staff and regrets any unintended impact of her action.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is prohibiting state employees from using private government information to bet on prediction markets.

And relief efforts continue for communities along the Canadian border that were forced to evacuate due to wildfires.

Elon Musk’s company sues Minnesota over new law to bar manipulated images to fake nudity

Walz bans state workers from betting with private government info on prediction markets

And state officials say more than 30 local water systems in Minnesota were hit by a cyberattack this week.

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

A man charged with threatening ICE agents in Minnesota pleaded not guilty Monday. Kyle Wagner is one of 15 people facing federal charges of interfering with immigration agents during the enforcement operation in Minnesota.

A judge in Minneapolis is temporarily blocking a new state law that bans prediction markets.

Black Business Week is kicking off in Minneapolis. The week features free workshops, networking events and business resources designed to support Black entrepreneurs.

And a musical adaptation of Purple Rain announced it's headed to Broadway.

And Gov. Tim Walz says he's talking to legislative leaders about calling a special session in mid-August.

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

Gov. Tim Walz says a special legislative session may be needed to address some of the fallout from wildfires burning in and near the Boundary Waters. Walz told MPR News that lawmakers may have to return to St. Paul next month if the fires continue burning. The governor declared a peacetime emergency to deploy additional resources to the firefighting effort. Lawmakers would need to weigh in if that declaration extends beyond 30 days.

Dozens of people gathered Friday at the memorial for Alex Pretti, six months after he was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent. Flowers and artwork mark the spot on Nicollet Avenue where Pretti was killed in January. Community members who help maintain the memorial say they want to make sure Pretti and the response to his death are remembered. Hennepin County prosecutors are still investigating the killing, but no agents have been charged.

Charges have been filed against a 25-year-old man accused of breaking into two Brooklyn Park homes over the past week and sexually assaulting two women. Darius Olson-Baker faces 10 felony counts. According to the criminal complaint, the women provided similar descriptions of their assailant, and DNA testing also allegedly pointed to Olson-Baker as the suspect. He was arrested Wednesday and remains in custody.

Basketball superstar LeBron James will not be taking his talents to downtown Minneapolis. The 41-year-old announced Friday he will join the Philadelphia 76ers in a bid to end their 43-year championship drought. The Minnesota Timberwolves had actively recruited James, though Wolves star Anthony Edwards said earlier this week they were not among LeBron’s top three choices.

The U.S. Forest Service says it will allow day-use permits to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness at some entry points starting Monday. Superior National Forest officials say a larger portion of the Boundary Waters in Lake and Cook counties could reopen for overnight use July 30, barring any additional fire activity.

Republican Mike Lindell says President Donald Trump’s endorsement has boosted his campaign for governor. Lindell says the endorsement led to a surge in fundraising and polling support. He is running against endorsed Republican candidate Kendall Qualls and House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the Aug. 11 primary. Early voting is underway.

Minneapolis police are explaining why the department partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during the ICE surge this winter. MPR News first reported the agreement in April. Minneapolis police say 63 officers earned overtime while working with a federal task force focused on drugs and violence, not immigration enforcement. The collaboration has resulted in charges against 25 people.

In court filings, prosecutors asked the judge to impose two life sentences, plus 40 years. They said Boelter caused, “astonishing damage to his victims and the state of Minnesota,” and said he should spend the rest of his life in prison.

Boundary Waters permit cancellations will remain in effect through Friday, but federal and state officials say they are developing a plan that could reopen some areas of the wilderness to visitors.

A memorial has been set up outside the St. Paul apartment leasing office where three people were killed there Monday. Apartment resident Tsegaab Binessu is charged with shooting that killed the three employees after a parking contract dispute.

One victim of a shooting targeting Minnesota lawmakers and their families is denouncing the gunman’s request to serve his sentence in Florida. Vance Boelter will be sentenced in the deaths of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the wounding of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Boelter admitted to shooting them in June 2025 at their homes. Yvette Hoffman wrote on Facebook that Boelter does not deserve a say in where he serves his sentence.

A man charged with killing three people in a St. Paul leasing office made his first court appearance Wednesday. Tsegaab Binessu is charged with three counts of second-degree murder. Charges say he opened fire on employees of an apartment management company after they told him he could not cancel his garage parking contract. His bail is set at $10 million, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug.13.

Former Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell is running for Woodbury City Council a year after she was convicted of felony burglary. Mitchell resigned from the Legislature after a jury found her guilty of breaking into her stepmother’s home. The DFLer filed Tuesday for the nonpartisan office. Mitchell says she will focus on clean water issues and transparency in city government.

The use of no-knock warrants by law enforcement agencies in Minnesota has declined dramatically since a state law restricting their use went into effect in 2023.

After admitting to shooting Minnesota lawmakers, Vance Boelter is now asking to serve his time at a prison outside of Orlando, Fla. Sentencing memos filed by the federal government and Boelter's attorney lay out their positions ahead of a Thursday court hearing. The U.S. Attorney's Office says Boelter should never be free again for shootings that were "the worst form of political violence."

And a leader of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme could have even more time added to his prison term for trying to bribe a juror two years ago. He faces sentencing this week.

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

State Highway 93 near Henderson is reopening to drivers starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday. This comes after three summers of construction by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to address chronic flooding that would shut it down for days.

St. Paul police say three people were found fatally shot inside an apartment complex leasing office Monday afternoon. Authorities reported a person of interest was taken into custody late Monday night.