Minnesota Now Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota has its first confirmed case of avian flu in a dairy cow. A state veterinarian shared what farmers and consumers need to know. The entire state is officially out of a drought. We found out how we got here and what it could mean for the rest of the summer.

We met the organizers of Trans Joy Fest this weekend in Duluth. A nature center set to open near Two Harbors is meant to be a sanctuary for people of color. We talked to its founder about plans for the space and resistance the project has been facing from some local residents.

We checked in with our sports contributors for the latest news in Minnesota sports.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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Minority owners of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alex Rodrigeuz and Marc Lore, have teamed up with billionaire and former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg to take control of the Wolves.

In other news, the Lynx extinguished the LA Sparks on Wednesday. They’ll play in Phoenix on Friday night. The Twins lost to the Yankees on Wednesday, continuing a 0-5 loss streak. They’ll play again Thursday in New York.

It’s Pride Month, and folks across the state are celebrating. This weekend is Trans Joy Fest in Duluth, put on by the non-profit Trans Northland.

Co-directors Ana Kruger and Sean Hayes joined MPR News guest host Nina Moini to share how they’re supporting the northern Minnesota trans community.

A nature-based retreat center planned outside Two Harbors is aiming to provide a restorative getaway for people of color. But Maji ya Chai is getting pushback from local residents over concerns of noise, traffic and other impacts. 35 residents of Silver Creek Township have appealed the Lake County planning commission’s April decision to grant the sanctuary a conditional use permit.

The founder of Maji ya Chai, Rebeka Ndosi, joined MPR News guest host Nina Moini to share her goals for the new center.

More than 40 cows on a central Minnesota dairy farm have fallen ill with avian flu. This morning, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed it's the first case of the disease in a dairy herd in the state.

Health officials have confirmed cases in 10 other states around the country, including neighboring South Dakota. Dr. Brian Hoefs, state veterinarian and executive director of the animal health board, joined MPR News guest host Nina Moini to break down the situation.

Minnesotans have been dealing with consistent rainfall over the past few weeks. According to the drought monitor out Wednesday morning, the state of Minnesota is officially no longer in a drought, after two years of drought conditions. It seems like this wet, warm spring has really made up for our dry winter.

Senior climatologist with the state Kenny Blumenfeld joined MPR News guest host Nina Moini to explain this sudden shift.