Logo

    Estranged wife of Minnesota corrections commissioner faces an attempted murder charge

    enAugust 23, 2024
    What caused Minneapolis and St. Paul to halt water intake?
    Who was charged with attempted murder in Minnesota?
    What percentage of Minnesota is currently abnormally dry?
    Which sports team retired Maya Moore's jersey this week?
    How did the weather conditions vary across Minnesota recently?

    Podcast Summary

    • Minnesota incidentsMysterious sheens on Mississippi River caused temporary halt of Minneapolis and St. Paul's drinking water intake while investigation continues; Commissioner's wife charged with attempted murder of their disabled son; 4-H clubs showcased animal projects at state fair

      There were two separate incidents in Minnesota this week. The first involved mysterious sheens appearing on the Mississippi River between Coon Rapids and Fridley, leading to the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul temporarily halting their drinking water intake. The second incident involved the estranged wife of Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell being charged with attempted murder of their disabled adult son by putting her medication in his feeding bag. Meanwhile, thousands of young people from Minnesota's 4-H clubs showcased their hard work raising animals at the state fair. Despite these events, all water samples from the river have tested negative for any harmful substances, and the source of the sheens remains under investigation.

    • Minnesota Weather and SportsMinnesota experiences both drought and above-normal rainfall, impacting agriculture and sports performance, while residents look forward to Labor Day events

      Despite some areas of Minnesota experiencing drought conditions for the first time in over two months, other parts of the state have seen above-normal rainfall. This contrast is evident in the U.S. Drought Monitor's recent update, which lists just over 8% of Minnesota as abnormally dry. However, cities like Duluth, St. Cloud, the Twin Cities, and Rochester have experienced significant rainfall this summer. The Lynx, a local sports team, have had a successful week, winning against the Las Vegas Aces and retiring the jersey of longtime All-Star Maya Moore. Meanwhile, the Twins and Vikings are gearing up for their respective weekend series and season openers. Despite the weather changes, Minnesotans have much to look forward to in sports and the upcoming Labor Day fair.

    Recent Episodes from Minnesota Today

    BWCA fire update; West Nile in Minnesota horses

    BWCA fire update; West Nile in Minnesota horses

    Responders are fighting two small wildfires in northern Minnesota. The Wood Lake fire is burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and another blaze is going near Burntside Lake not far from Ely.


    And the Minnesota Board of Animal Health has confirmed the state's first positive case of West Nile virus in a horse this year.


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

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 13, 2024

    Senate confirms Minnesota’s newest federal judge. Minneapolis residents voice thoughts on Blue Line extension plan

    Senate confirms Minnesota’s newest federal judge. Minneapolis residents voice thoughts on Blue Line extension plan

    The U.S. Senate has confirmed a veteran prosecutor as Minnesota’s newest federal judge.  President Joe Biden in June nominated Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Provinzino to replace retiring Judge Wilhelmina Wright. The Senate approved the president’s choice in a bipartisan vote. Provinzino, from St. Cloud, has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney since 2010 focusing on human trafficking cases.


    And dozens of Minneapolis residents Thursday voiced their opinions at a city council committee hearing about the proposed Blue Line extension plan. Kristel Porter, executive director of the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, says the route — which goes down West Broadway — needs a safety plan before it can go forward. Municipalities where the route will be located are holding public hearings on the preliminary design plans before they vote on it. The vote must take place before Oct. 10.


    This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.


    Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.


    In bipartisan vote, Senate confirms Minnesota’s newest federal judge


    Minneapolis residents express concerns about proposed Blue Line extension plan


    Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.


    Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube or RSS.

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 13, 2024

    Twin Cities business owner addresses U.S. House panel on crime. Minneapolis considers new encampment data policy

    Twin Cities business owner addresses U.S. House panel on crime. Minneapolis considers new encampment data policy

    A Twin Cities business owner Wednesday urged U.S. House members to focus on tougher penalties as they weigh public safety policy. Brian Ingram runs Purpose Driven Restaurants. He told a Republican-led panel he has had several burglaries in recent years and he pushed for tougher sentences to deter people from reoffending. Democrats on the committee said the hearing was a political stunt and should have also included a discussion about gun violence.


    And the Minneapolis City Council is considering an ordinance amendment requiring the city to consistently report what happens when homeless encampments are cleared. That includes information on how often clearings happen, the number of people who may have been impacted and if those people were immediately connected to a shelter. It would also include reporting on how much clearings cost taxpayers.


    This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.


    Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.


    Minneapolis City Council considers requiring data collection on encampment clearings


    Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.


    Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube or RSS.

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 12, 2024

    Ramsey County medical examiner review

    Ramsey County medical examiner review

    A review of criminal cases that involved the former Ramsey County medical examiner has entered its third and final phase. The review started three years ago, sifting through 215 cases that Dr. Michael McGee played some part in.


    And a Minneapolis man was sentenced to over 30 years in prison today for the murder of a transgender woman last November.


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

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 11, 2024

    Minnesotans react to the Harris-Trump debate. Wayzata seeks help to find 9/11 memorial artifact

    Minnesotans react to the Harris-Trump debate. Wayzata seeks help to find 9/11 memorial artifact

    Our top story is last night’s presidential debate. MPR reporters Mark Zdechlik and Ellie Roth attended Republican and Democratic watch parties to get reactions from Minnesotans.


    The Wayzata Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding an artifact that was part of a 9/11 memorial. The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of a glass piece that was part of a granite memorial in Panoway Plaza Park. Police learned of the vandalism last week and say evidence at the scene indicates the piece was removed.


    This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.


    Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.


    Cheers, jeers and minds already made up at Minnesota debate watch parties


    Harris presses a more forceful case against Trump than Biden did on abortion, economy and democracy


    Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.


    Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube or RSS.

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 11, 2024

    Update on Saturday shooting in Minneapolis; New report on financial hardship

    Update on Saturday shooting in Minneapolis; New report on financial hardship

    Authorities have identified the Minneapolis police officer who shot and injured a man Saturday. The man was allegedly firing a weapon in an apartment building.


    And insights from a new report released by United Ways of Minnesota and United for ALICE show that 63 percent of households under the age of 25 have high rates of financial hardship.


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

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 10, 2024

    Minneapolis extends contract for gunshot detection tech. Trump and Harris debate tonight

    Minneapolis extends contract for gunshot detection tech. Trump and Harris debate tonight

    Former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris meet in a debate Tuesday night. Top Minnesota officials say they will be watching closely. And members of the Minneapolis City Council voted Monday to extend the city’s contract for a controversial gunshot detection technology. The city has contracted with what’s commonly referred to as ShotSpotter since 2007.


    This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.


    Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.


    Harris and Trump debate in Philadelphia Tuesday night. Here’s what you need to know


    Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.


    Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube or RSS.

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 10, 2024

    New charges in Park Tavern crash; Child care worker investments

    New charges in Park Tavern crash; Child care worker investments

    Prosecutors today filed third-degree murder charges against the alleged drunk driver in the Park Tavern crash.


    Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan visited a child care center in Plymouth today to highlight the state's investment into the child care workforce.


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

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 09, 2024

    No one hurt in shooting at Northtown Mall. BCA investigating shooting at Minneapolis apartment

    No one hurt in shooting at Northtown Mall. BCA investigating shooting at Minneapolis apartment

    A shopping mall in the northern Twin Cities metro area was cleared and locked down Sunday after gunshots broke windows. Six police departments, state troopers and the Anoka County sheriff's department responded to the shots that were fired outside Northtown Mall on Sunday afternoon. And the BCA is investigating a shooting at a Minneapolis apartment building over the weekend. Minneapolis police shot and injured a 40-year-old man they say was armed and terrorizing residents at the building. 


    This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.


    Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.


    Neighbors startled awake by gunfire in Minneapolis apartment building; police say it could have been much worse


    Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.


    Subscribe on Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube or RSS.

    Minnesota Today
    enSeptember 09, 2024