Minnesota Today

House Speaker Lisa Demuth says she opted to enter the GOP primary race for governor after party leaders deflated the endorsement in that contest. And Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has named an interim police chief as the city looks to replace Brian O'Hara, who resigned last week. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Republicans gather in Duluth Friday to begin winnowing their field of U.S. Senate candidates. An endorsement contest could bring some to drop out of the race, but an August primary will determine the nominee for the general election. For Democrats, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan heads into this weekend's DFL state convention with a victory already in hand. Her opponent in the DFL Senate race, U.S. Rep An...

Some members of the Minneapolis City Council are questioning Mayor Jacob Frey's handling of investigations into former police Chief Brian O’Hara, who resigned on Tuesday. Attorneys for independent journalist Don Lemon are renewing their push for access to grand jury transcripts in the case of Lemon and 37 others charged in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church in January. Those stories an...

Following Minneapolis police Chief Brian O'Hara's resignation Tuesday, Mayor Jacob Frey appointed assistant Minneapolis police Chief Katie Blackwell — who has been at the department for over 25 years — as acting police chief effective immediately. Minnesota is celebrating the completion of a major milestone in the ongoing cleanup of the St. Louis River . The river forms the headwaters of Lake Supe...

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says she'll skip the DFL convention in Rochester and head straight to a Senate primary . Minneapolis city leaders are searching for a new police chief after Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday amid allegations that he interfered with an internal investigation . The investigation explored allegations that the chief had sexual relationships with city employees. According to investigators, there was sufficient evidence that O’Hara intentionally deleted data on his city-issued cell phone that was related to the investigation. At the DFL...

The Minnesota Court of Appeals won't reinstate a law to ban certain gun trigger mechanisms . And gas prices were down slightly today after hitting a four-year Memorial Day high yesterday. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A statewide summer traffic enforcement campaign is now underway with officers, deputies and troopers across Minnesota placing extra attention on speeding drivers. The campaign is also targeting distracted and impaired driving, as well as seat belt use. Minnesota is commissioning a study on nuclear energy after state lawmakers recently approved funding. Minnesota lawmakers approved $3 million to he...

An attorney for an ICE agent charged in a February road rage incident during “Operation Metro Surge” says there's more to the story than what's shown in a widely circulated video. Prosecutors allege Gregory Morgan pointed a handgun at another vehicle on Highway 62 after a traffic dispute. He faces two felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He's set to make a first appearan...

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock has been sentenced to 500 months in prison -- that’s nearly 42 years -- for orchestrating what investigators say was the nation’s largest COVID-era fraud scheme. Bock was also ordered to pay $243 million in restitution. And federal authorities announced today they’ve filed criminal charges against 15 Minnesotans accused of stealing millions from federal progra...

The Flanders wildfire in Crow Wing County is now 95 percent contained. Authorities say they believe it was sparked by a campfire. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said it has identified people of interest in connection with the case. Good financial news for Target today -- the Minneapolis-based retailer saw better-than-expected sales in the first quarter. Those stories and more in tod...

State lawmakers are giving counties and tribal communities $90 million to upgrade the old and inefficient technology they use to administer SNAP and Medicaid benefits. Immigration advocates in Minnesota say fear, policy changes and longer processing delays are discouraging some eligible immigrants from applying for U.S. citizenship. Organizations that help immigrants apply for citizenship say appl...

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it has located the origin of the Flanders Fire near the north shore of Flanders Lake. The fire started early Saturday afternoon and grew to more than 1,600 acres. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang says individuals appear to have started a campfire near Flanders Lake on Saturday or the night before. Minnesota is being sued by a federal agency ove...

Minnesota prosecutors on Monday charged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent with assault in connection with the January shooting of a Venezuelan man. The Minneapolis City Council will revisit a proposal this week for a new emergency responder training center. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped fire crews working to contain two wildfires burning in northern Minnesota. Auth...

Minnesota prosecutors have charged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in the January shooting of a Venezuelan man in north Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says ICE agent Christian Castro fired through the front door of a duplex, striking Julio Sosa-Celis in the leg. Authorities say a downed power line sparked the wildfire that's burning on the North Shore of Lake Super...

An oil analyst says refining issues in the nearby Great Lakes region has contributed to a gas price spike in Minnesota. The platform GasBuddy says the average price in the state as of today is about $4.45 a gallon, up nearly 30 cents from earlier this week. Minnesota Democratic lawmakers held a sit-in overnight at the Capitol.... demanding that Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth let a gun violen...

Legislators now have a financial framework from which to hammer out bills. An end-of-session deadline arrives this weekend given that lawmakers can’t pass bills after Sunday. Leaders agreed to help HCMC and hospitals around the state, give property owners tax relief and put more money into infrastructure projects. The deal also increases funding for security concerns as well as anti-fraud measures...

Gas prices jumped sharply at many Minnesota stations yesterday -- and that’s reflected in a spike in the statewide average price today. And advocates delivered a foot-high stack of petitions to Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth today demanding she let a gun control bill face a vote. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Legislators now have a financial framework from which to hammer out bills. An end-of-session deadline arrives this weekend given that lawmakers can’t pass bills after Sunday. Leaders agreed to help HCMC and hospitals around the state, give property owners tax relief and put more money into infrastructure projects. The deal also increases funding for security concerns as well as anti-fraud measures...

Travel bans, visa restrictions and fears of being arrested or detained are presenting challenges for students from other countries wanting to come to the U.S. to study here. And lawmakers have come together on a deal to dedicate $165 million to housing programs. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.