Minnesota Today

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.

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 Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

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

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 Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

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.

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 Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

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.

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 Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

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.

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 Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minneapolis City Council proposed funding Friday to address the closure of a shelter operated by Agate Housing and Services, affecting more than 80 residents and 23 employees. Council members proposed a $1.5 million grant, contingent on a match from Agate. Also, frost advisories and freeze warnings are in effect for late Friday through early Saturday for northeast Minnesota, as temperatures may drop into the low to mid-30s.

This is the evening MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music Gary Meister.

A woman pleaded guilty Thursday to attempting to bribe a juror in the first Feeding our Future trial. And drivers in the Twin Cities will need to navigate two freeway closures this weekend.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he plans to cooperate with Republican-led subpoenas.

And the man who allegedly drove across the Park Tavern patio Sunday, killing two and injuring nine, will soon have his license taken away.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update, hosted by Emily Reese and music by Gary Meister.

The man who allegedly drove across the Park Tavern patio Sunday — killing two people and injuring nine others — will soon have his license taken away. And a group of people harvesting wild rice on Saturday reported finding human remains along the shores of Leech Lake, east of Walker.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Alex Simpson. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.

Park Tavern reopens after deadly crash, as driver makes first court appearance

Group of wild ricers find human remains on the shores of Leech Lake

Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Park Tavern in Saint Louis Park reopened today following a deadly crash on the restaurant's patio last weekend.

And environmental groups are raising awareness for a constitutional amendment on November ballots that would continue earmarking Minnesota Lottery funds for natural resources projects.

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

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Tuesday charged 56-year-old Steven Frane Bailey with criminal vehicular homicide and other charges, following a fatal crash Sunday evening at a St. Louis Park restaurant. And Minnesota officials say wildfire smoke will be in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups in northwestern Minnesota this week. 

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Alex Simpson. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.

Man accused of driving car into outdoor patio in St. Louis Park faces 11 criminal charges

Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

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

Reporters travelling in Wisconsin Monday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz were injured in a traffic crash.  Walz, who was heading to a campaign stop in Milwaukee, was not hurt.

Two people were killed and several people were injured when a man drove a vehicle into the patio at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park on Sunday.

And Minnesota health officials are concerned about more people becoming infected with measles.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.

Walz unharmed after some of the vehicles near the back of his motorcade crash in Milwaukee

Two people killed, several injured as man drives car into outdoor restaurant patio

Measles outbreak affects at least 30 in Minnesota, closes Somali religious school

Read the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The National Weather Service Twin Cities office says it has confirmed at least one tornado touchdown from yesterday’s storms.

And in Minnesota, July through September is the highest risk season for mosquito borne diseases like West Nile virus.

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

Twin Cities Muslim leaders are asking police to investigate a recent mosque burglary as a possible anti-Muslim bias crime. And “Star Wars: A New Hope” in Ojibwe is showing in some Minnesota theaters starting Friday.