Minnesota Today

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Election Day tomorrow; Power failure likely led to outages Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Tomorrow is primary election day in Minnesota. Voters will winnow the field of candidates running for governor, U-S Senate, U-S House and a host of other state and local races.

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 may not impact crop yield as much as expected Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

The federal government used to help states identify and respond to election threats, but not this election cycle.

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.

Minnesota's drought will stay awhile, but recent rain does help BWCA firefighters Aug 07, 2026

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Minnesota's drought is likely here to stay for a while. That's according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

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.

Twin Cities woman sues Chipotle after salmonella poisoning Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Flights were delayed Thursday afternoon at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after telecommunication issues caused a ground stoppage.

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.

Businesses financially hurt by wildfires; Drought reduced slightly in Minnesota Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Businesses impacted by the wildfires burning in the Boundary Waters are asking for state aid after Gov. Tim Walz suggested this week that a special session to provide wildfire relief is unlikely.

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.

Food shelves are now able to accept donated eggs past their 'sell-by' date Aug 06, 2026

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St. Paul is set to clear a homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park Wednesday. At a city council meeting Tuesday, several neighbors and advocates said the city should delay it.

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.

Farmfest gubernatorial debate; Walz wildfire update Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

A debate featuring four candidates for Minnesota governor showcased differences in style and substance today. The Farmfest stage was filled by likely Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and three Republicans vying for that nod: Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls.

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.

St. Paul set to clear homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

St. Paul is set to clear a homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park Wednesday. At a city council meeting Tuesday, several neighbors and advocates said the city should delay it.

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

Firefighters make progress on Minnesota wildfires; Aging infrastructure led to cyber attacks Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Forest Service officials say recent rains aided firefighters who are making progress in containing wildfires in northeast Minnesota.

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.

Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since last week's cyberattack Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Homeless outreach workers are continuing to visit a homeless encampment in St. Paul Tuesday, in hopes of transitioning residents there into shelters. The city plans to clear the encampment in Pig's Eye Park Wednesday evening.

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