Minnesota Today

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Long-term impact of Walz's executive order blocking mining depends on his successor Aug 19, 2026

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An executive order Gov. Tim Walz signed Tuesday blocks copper mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. But whether the ban becomes permanent could depend on Walz's successor.

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.

Hopkins, Burnsville communities remember family killed in apparent murder-suicide Aug 18, 2026

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The Hopkins and Burnsville communities on Monday night mourned the deaths of two women and a 7-year-old girl who was the daughter of one woman and the granddaughter of the other. Police believe Nathan Brown killed his wife, their daughter and his mother. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot.

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.

The state of Minnesota has paid $36 million dollars to group home companies linked to a high-ranking government official in Liberia, investigation finds Aug 17, 2026

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A new MPR News/APM Reports investigation found that the state of Minnesota has paid $36 million dollars to group home companies linked to a high-ranking government official in Liberia. Sekou Dukuly has served as the managing director of the National Port Authority in Liberia since the beginning of 2024, and he lives there most of the time. Dukuly has had a hand in 24 Minnesota group homes over the past decade.

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.

Iranian-linked hacker group claims responsibility for Minnesota water system cyberattack Aug 14, 2026

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An Iranian-linked hacker group has claimed direct responsibility for the recent cyberattack against Minnesota water systems.

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.

St. Paul mayor proposes 2027 budget Aug 14, 2026

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St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her proposed her 2027 budget Thursday. It includes a 6.8 percent increase in the property tax levy and other cuts. But she is prioritizing public safety — including exploring ways to prevent copper wire theft that breaks the city's street lights.
A coalition of journalism organizations has filed a friend of court brief asking the judge to dismiss charges against journalists who covered an anti-ICE protest at a church this winter. They argue that federal prosecutors are misapplying the civil rights law the journalists are charged under and opening the door for government suppression of media.
The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission will convene on Aug. 26 to consider applicants to head the newly formed office of inspector general — which will act as an independent watchdog for state agencies and programs. It was created in response to widespread fraud issues in state social service programs.

Secretary of State says federal election monitors did not interfere in Minnesota's primary election Aug 13, 2026

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Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal election monitors did not interfere in Minnesota's primary election on Tuesday.

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.

2 adults, child dead at Hopkins daycare in apparent murder-suicide Aug 13, 2026

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Hopkins residents are mourning the deaths of a daycare operator and her 7-year-old daughter. The victims and the adult male perpetrator were killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Wednesday. Six other children were present at the time of the attack but were not physically harmed.

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

Record turnout for Minnesota primary election Aug 12, 2026

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Minnesota reported its highest ever number of ballots cast in a primary, according to unofficial numbers.

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

Klobuchar and Demuth face off for governor. Flanagan and Tafoya get nods for U.S. Senate Aug 12, 2026

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Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Lisa Demuth will compete to be Minnesota's next governor. Either would make history as the state’s first woman leader.

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

Tuesday is primary election day in Minnesota Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Tuesday is primary election day in Minnesota. Voters have two main ways to vote Tuesday. If you were mailed an absentee ballot but haven't yet returned it, skip the post office and turn it in by 5 p.m. at the office that sent it. If you vote in person, you have a little more time. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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.

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