Minnesota Today

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Minnesota Today from MPR News brings you the most important stories from around the state. All on your schedule. Get updated on the latest news in about five minutes, every weekday morning and evening.

3 hr ago

Businesses financially hurt by wildfires; Drought reduced slightly in Minnesota

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.
13 hr ago

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

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.
1 day ago

Farmfest gubernatorial debate; Walz wildfire update

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.
1 day ago

St. Paul set to clear homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park

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.
2 days ago

Firefighters make progress on Minnesota wildfires; Aging infrastructure led to cyber attacks

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.
2 days ago

Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since last week's cyberattack

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
3 days ago

Minnesota wildfires continue burning; More states report cyberattacks on water systems

Fires still burning in parts of the Boundary Waters have charred nearly 65,000 acres. And federal officials say Minnesota was one of at least seven states that reported cyberattacks on city water systems last week. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
3 days ago

Vance Boelter due in court Monday for first appearance on state charges

The man serving life in federal prison for killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is due in Hennepin County court Monday afternoon to make his first appearance on state charges. Last month a judge handed Vance Boelter two consecutive life terms plus 40 years under the terms of a plea deal that spared the 59-year-old a possible federal death sentence. About 50 people protested on Summit Avenue in St. Paul Sunday ahead of Mayor Kaohly Her's planned homeless encampment closures. The first one is scheduled Wednesday at Pig’s Eye Park. City officials say St. Paul is investing $1 million into additional housing, but there isn‘t enough housing to immediately shelter those who will be displaced this week. Small business owners in northeastern Minnesota told their state legislators Friday that the wildfires that have been burning in and around the Boundary Waters for almost a month now, are having a “disastrous” impact on their bottom lines. One canoe outfitter says he lost 98 percent of his revenue in July due to cancellations. Other business owners said they've suffered losses of at least 40 percent, and for some it's much more as the wildfires shut almost everything down during the peak of a relatively short tourism season. 80 workers are to be laid off as Pearson's Candy Company closes its St. Paul facility in September. The company is famous for its Salted Nut Rolls and Nut Goodies. The company is over 100 years old. It started as a family business, but has changed owners three times in the past 15 years. A new law took effect Saturday aimed at decreasing food waste and boosting food shelf inventory. Minnesota law says stores can't sell eggs past their quality assurance date, which is four to six weeks after the egg was packed. But those eggs can still be safe to eat. Republican Rep. Andrew Myers sponsored a bill this year to let stores donate unsold eggs. Northeast Minnesota wildfires causing disastrous economic impacts to tourism industry Pearson’s Candy Company to shut down St. Paul plant

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Cathy Wurzer

Host
Sven Sundgaard

Guest
John Connolly

Guest

Minnesota Today from MPR News brings you the most important stories from around the state. All on your schedule. Get updated on the latest news in about five minutes, every weekday morning and evening.