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Minnesota Today

Minnesota Public Radio

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.

Location:

Minneapolis, MN

Description:

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.

Twitter:

@MPRnews

Language:

English

Contact:

480 Cedar Street St. Paul, MN 55101 1-800-228-7123


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Episodes
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Cold start causes school cancellations around Minnesota. Leonard Peltier granted clemency by Biden

1/21/2025
We started the day with extreme cold warnings and many school districts canceling or delaying classes. Anoka-Hennepin, Duluth, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul and Winona all closed Tuesday. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar called to order the inauguration of President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday. Klobuchar is chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. She noted how the peaceful transfer of power lies at the heart of what soon will be 250 years of American democracy. And Native American activist Leonard Peltier was granted clemency Monday by former President Joe Biden in one of his final acts before leaving office. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Extreme cold leads to school delays, cancellations Tuesday across Minnesota Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier granted clemency by President Biden Listen: Sen. Amy Klobuchar on leading Inauguration Day proceedings Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:16

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MPD union wants voice in consent decree; Dangerously cold weather

1/17/2025
The Minneapolis police union said it wants a voice in the latest MPD reform plan. Our brief January thaw is coming to a crashing halt today, as strong northwest winds bring a blast of arctic air to Minnesota. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:05:09

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Minneapolis Police Department clarifies policy on questioning immigration status. St. Paul clears encampment

1/17/2025
With days to go before president-elect Donald Trump returns to office with mass deportation plans, the Minneapolis Police Department has clarified its policy on questioning immigration status. Police Chief Brian O’Hara has said MPD has a longstanding policy of not enforcing immigration law. Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday rolled out his proposed 2025 budget. He says it would curb the growth of costs for transportation for special education and for waivers for in-home services for people with disabilities. And St. Paul on Thursday closed a homeless encampment where more than 40 people were living in tents near the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. City outreach teams and volunteers had been on site helping people move. City officials say some of the residents are moving into temporary or permanent housing. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Walz unveils slimmer Minnesota budget, pitches sales tax cut St. Paul clears encampment near Mississippi River Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:56

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Walz rolls out 2025 budget proposal; Clash in House continues

1/16/2025
Gov. Tim Walz rolled out his proposed 2025 budget today, calling for a cut to state sales tax, a move he says will help offset increased costs from proposed federal tariffs. And Democrats in the state House of Representatives are back in their home districts, after boycotting the chamber amidst a power sharing dispute with Republicans. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:44

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State Supreme Court to step in on House control debate, special election outcomes

1/16/2025
The Minnesota Supreme Court says it will hear arguments on Thursday of next week, Jan. 23, in a dispute over who is running the Minnesota House. That means a standoff over House operations could remain in flux for awhile. And the court on Wednesday heard arguments in a special election case. Republicans want to delay the election, which earlier this month was scheduled for Jan. 28. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Minnesota’s government branches duel in constitutional clash where courts might have final word Minnesota Supreme Court weighs postponing election crucial to Capitol control Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:28

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Palestinian Minnesotan reacts to Biden announcing ceasefire in Gaza

1/15/2025
President Joe Biden and other mediators say a ceasefire deal has apparently been reached in Gaza. Locally, some Palestinian Minnesotans are cautiously optimistic about the agreement, noting previous agreements have fallen apart. Minnetonka artist Ragdha Skeik says she was able to speak with her family members in Gaza and Egypt this morning. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:53

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Drama at the Capitol as DFLers stay away. Judge will soon decide on Sen. Mitchell's motion to delay trial

1/15/2025
Democrats in the Minnesota House made good on a threat to boycott the first day of the state legislative session on Tuesday. The lack of members prompted Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, to declare an absence of quorum to do business. Republicans maintain they have authority to run the chamber and chose GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth as House Speaker. Becker County Judge Michael Fritz says he will rule "sooner rather than later" on a motion to delay the criminal trial of DFL State Sen. Nicole Mitchell until after the current legislative session. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Capitol standoff spills into court as Minnesota Legislature gets off to rocky start Minnesota prosecutor wants to keep word ‘senator’ out of Nicole Mitchell trial Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:15

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A bumpy start to the legislative session for the Minnesota House

1/14/2025
The 2025 Minnesota legislative session is off and running, kind of. In the House, with Democrats boycotting the first day of session, there is dispute over whether the 67 Republicans gathered in the House chamber had the numbers for a quorum to actually start the session. The Senate, which currently has an even split, started on a much more peaceful note. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:05:03

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Minnesota Legislature begins session. Vikings season ends with 27-9 loss to Rams

1/14/2025
The Minnesota Legislature begins its 2025 session in St. Paul. Lawmakers will need to set a budget between now and May. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is pledging to adjourn the House if his fellow DFLers don't show up for the opening day. And the Vikings’ season is over. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 Monday night in an NFC wild-card game. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was pressured from the start and was sacked a NFL playoff record-tying nine times. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Five key questions as the Minnesota Legislature starts its session Rams overwhelm Vikings 27-9 in wild-card playoff game moved because of LA wildfires Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:25

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Conflict in the Minnesota House; University of Minnesota researchers will track bird flu

1/13/2025
Minnesota House leaders remain at odds over a power-sharing agreement ahead of the Legislature's start tomorrow. The University of Minnesota will receive more than $1.2 million in state lottery proceeds to track the threat of bird flu to the state's wildlife. That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:22

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Minnesota Senate reaches agreement to jointly run chamber. House remains divided

1/13/2025
Democratic and Republican leaders of the Minnesota Senate say they have come to an agreement to jointly run the chamber while it is tied for much of this month. Meanwhile, in the Minnesota House, Democrats took their oaths of office Sunday — as part of an effort to block Republican control when the legislative session begins. And three people died in a two-vehicle, head-on crash Sunday afternoon in central Minnesota. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened on Highway 169 near Mille Lacs Lake. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Bumpier takeoff on tap for Minnesota Legislature’s session opening amid early oaths, election disputes Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:20

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Minnesota hospitals see surge; State senator requests trial postponement

1/10/2025
Minnesota hospitals are seeing a surge in visits. It's mostly flu patients, according to the state, but COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are also spiking. Hospitals says it's putting a strain on ICUs and increasing wait times in emergency departments. And a state senator facing burglary charges is requesting to postpone a jury trial until May — after the Minnesota legislative session comes to a close. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:05:16

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COVID-19, RSV and flu hospitalizations increase. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity pays tribute to Carter

1/10/2025
Are you sick? Know someone who is or has been? New data from the state health department shows hospital admissions for COVID-19 and RSV have increased, and flu-related hospitalizations are soaring. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity invited the public to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter Thursday. The organization raised walls for community members to sign personal messages to the late president. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:05:09

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Walter Mondale gives posthumous eulogy; DFL state senator won't vote while on trial

1/9/2025
Despite his death in 2021, Walter Mondale was part of today's funeral for President Jimmy Carter. Mondale's son Ted read a eulogy written in 2015 by the late vice president and Minnesota U.S. senator. Ans a DFL state senator won't vote remotely while on trial in Becker County on a criminal matter. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:25

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Judge indefinitely delays hearing over Chauvin's request to examine Floyd's heart tissue

1/9/2025
A federal judge has indefinitely delayed a hearing over former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's effort to examine George Floyd's heart tissue. The Minneapolis Police Department this week welcomed the largest, most racially diverse incoming class of new hires to its department in more than five years. And North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley says Fargo police officers were justified during an officer-involved fatal shooting in November. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Minneapolis Police Department welcomes largest class of new hires since George Floyd murder Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:03

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Minnesota senator's burglary trial; California wildfires

1/8/2025
Ahead of a Minnesota lawmaker's trial on burglary charges, attorneys are going back and forth over whether she can be called "senator" in front of jurors. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing wildfires in Los Angeles County. Crews are battling flames amid a heavy windstorm. Minnesota's Interagency Fire Center has so far not been tapped for help. A spokesperson says California officials will likely look for help from agencies in their region. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:06

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Lawsuit tries to stop PFAS ban. Gas pipeline plan near Pipestone modified

1/8/2025
A new lawsuit aims to stop Minnesota's ban on products that contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” And state regulators modified the permit conditions for a gas pipeline near a pipestone quarry, a site sacred to Indigenous people in the southwestern part of the state. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission pulled back from permitting a construction route agreed on in September. Regulators now require Magellan Pipeline Company to work on an archaeological survey along two separate, possible routes. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Cookware group files lawsuit against Minnesota’s PFAS ban Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:04:45

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Judge grants media access to state senator trial; Cookware advocacy group files lawsuit against Minnesota PFAS ban

1/7/2025
A Becker County judge has agreed to allow Minnesota media to record the jury trial of a state senator charged with burglary. And a cookware advocacy group filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday that seeks relief from a new Minnesota law banning the sale and distribution of cookware containing PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:05:09

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Power struggle grows at Minnesota House. Cannabis office head steps down

1/7/2025
The power struggle in the Minnesota House is growing more intense — just a week ahead of the next legislative session. And the interim director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is stepping down and being replaced with another interim director. This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister. Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org. Minnesota session agendas start to emerge as power fight drags on, acrimony picks up Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will get new interim director Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Duration:00:05:13

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Lawsuit over special election; Minneapolis City Council approves federal consent decree

1/6/2025
The state Republican Party has filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court that aims to halt a special election for a pivotal House seat. The lawsuit is over the timing of the late-January special election in the Roseville area. Delaying the election could keep Republicans in power in the House chamber later into the 2025 legislative session. The Minneapolis City Council this afternoon signed off on a long-awaited federal consent decree that mandates significant changes to the Minneapolis police department. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duration:00:04:11