Minnesota Today

Minnesota Public Radio
  • 4.4 (223)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 7h ago

    St. Paul police chief accuses mayor of sexual harassment

    St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is accusing Mayor Kaohly Her of sexual harassment. A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that an investigation is underway. Henry’s attorney says Her sent sexually suggestive text messages to a city employee and sexually harassed multiple members of city staff, including police officers. The mayor’s spokesperson says the city will not comment further on an active investigation, and says Her “regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had.” Two summer camps in northern Minnesota are resuming activities as wildfire conditions improve. YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagan and Camp du Nord, both near Ely, evacuated campers earlier this month as wildfires burned in and around the Boundary Waters. Camp Widjiwagan plans to reopen Friday for a closing ceremony for campers returning from the Arctic Circle, with more camping trips returning next week. Camp du Nord says it will reopen Sunday while continuing to monitor wildfire activity. Minnesota lawmakers say they’re confident a federal judge will allow a new law to take effect that bans technology that can make someone appear naked without their consent. The law would allow people portrayed in AI-generated deepfake images to bring civil lawsuits. Elon Musk’s company x.AI has sued to block the law from taking effect Saturday. X.AI argues the law is unconstitutional and could force the company to limit functions on its AI tool. Attorney General Keith Ellison has shut down a nonprofit after an investigation found hundreds of employees were misclassified as volunteers at concession stands in Twin Cities stadiums. Ellison’s office says MN Fundraising Initiative was not operated for any charitable cause and instead operated as a staffing agency that saved on labor costs. The investigation found the nonprofit consistently paid workers “grants” in exchange for their labor, which Ellison’s office says violates Minnesota law. The town of Wasioja near Rochester is celebrating the restoration of a Civil War recruiting station. Wasioja was home to one of Minnesota’s first colleges, and 165 years ago, its students were among the first in the country to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War. The recruiting station is the last remaining one in the state. The newly preserved buildings are now open to the public.

  2. 16h ago

    Elon Musk challenges anti-nudification law. St. Paul Mayor Her accused of inappropriate comments

    One of the lawmakers who led an anti-nudification bill in the Minnesota House says she expected AI companies to challenge the law. It bans technology used to create deepfake videos or images of people without their consent — and it takes effect this weekend. But Elon Musk’s company x.AI has sued to block enforcement. Musk's attorneys argue the company already prohibits users from using AI tools to create those images or videos, and they say the company should not be punished if users find a way around that prohibition. St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is alleging that Mayor Kaohly Her directed inappropriate sexual comments toward him and other city staff. The Star Tribune reports that Henry notified the city in April that he'd filed a formal complaint, and that the city has hired a law firm to investigate. A letter from Henry's attorney that the newspaper obtained includes a screenshot of a sexually suggestive text message that Her allegedly sent to a city employee. A spokesperson said that the mayor has deep respect for staff and regrets any unintended impact of her action. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is prohibiting state employees from using private government information to bet on prediction markets. And relief efforts continue for communities along the Canadian border that were forced to evacuate due to wildfires. Elon Musk’s company sues Minnesota over new law to bar manipulated images to fake nudity Walz bans state workers from betting with private government info on prediction markets

  3. 1d ago

    Minnesota wildfires continue; Cyberattack targets Minnesota water

    Wildfires in northeast Minnesota have taken a heavy toll on Ely's tourism economy, with some business owners reporting profits are down as much as 70 percent. And state officials say more than 30 local water systems in Minnesota were hit by a cyberattack this week. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

  4. 1d ago

    Wildfires in northeastern Minnesota are more than 50 percent contained, firefighting officials say

    Firefighting officials say the wildfires in northeastern Minnesota are more than 50 percent contained. While fighting fires and protecting property remain the priorities, authorities are also looking to prevent future fires. A man charged with threatening ICE agents in Minnesota pleaded not guilty Monday. Kyle Wagner is one of 15 people facing federal charges of interfering with immigration agents during the enforcement operation in Minnesota. A judge in Minneapolis is temporarily blocking a new state law that bans prediction markets. Black Business Week is kicking off in Minneapolis. The week features free workshops, networking events and business resources designed to support Black entrepreneurs. And a musical adaptation of Purple Rain announced it's headed to Broadway.

  5. 2d ago

    U.S. Senate candidates debate on MPR News; Walz talks special session

    The Democratic U.S. Senate candidates debated issues and approaches today in their last one-on-one debate before the primary election. And Gov. Tim Walz says he's talking to legislative leaders about calling a special session in mid-August. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

  6. 2d ago

    DFL U.S. Senate hopefuls Craig, Flanagan to debate live at 11 a.m. on MPR News

    Minnesota Today

  7. 5d ago

    Vance Boelter sentenced to life in prison for attacks on Minnesota lawmakers and their families

    The National Forest Service says it will reopen nearly 40 percent of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the public next week, barring significant wildfire activity. Overnight camping access is set to reopen Thursday at 37 of the 103 quota entry points. That would reopen more than 400,000 acres to the public. Some entry points in Cook County are also expected to reopen for day use Monday. Gov. Tim Walz says a special legislative session may be needed to address some of the fallout from wildfires burning in and near the Boundary Waters. Walz told MPR News that lawmakers may have to return to St. Paul next month if the fires continue burning. The governor declared a peacetime emergency to deploy additional resources to the firefighting effort. Lawmakers would need to weigh in if that declaration extends beyond 30 days. Dozens of people gathered Friday at the memorial for Alex Pretti, six months after he was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent. Flowers and artwork mark the spot on Nicollet Avenue where Pretti was killed in January. Community members who help maintain the memorial say they want to make sure Pretti and the response to his death are remembered. Hennepin County prosecutors are still investigating the killing, but no agents have been charged. Charges have been filed against a 25-year-old man accused of breaking into two Brooklyn Park homes over the past week and sexually assaulting two women. Darius Olson-Baker faces 10 felony counts. According to the criminal complaint, the women provided similar descriptions of their assailant, and DNA testing also allegedly pointed to Olson-Baker as the suspect. He was arrested Wednesday and remains in custody. Basketball superstar LeBron James will not be taking his talents to downtown Minneapolis. The 41-year-old announced Friday he will join the Philadelphia 76ers in a bid to end their 43-year championship drought. The Minnesota Timberwolves had actively recruited James, though Wolves star Anthony Edwards said earlier this week they were not among LeBron’s top three choices.

  8. 5d ago

    Friday marks 6 months since Alex Pretti was shot and killed by a federal agent

    Minnesota Today

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4.4
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Minnesota Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio
  • Show Website
    Minnesota Today

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