Minnesota Today

Uncontrolled wildfires continue to burn and grow in northeastern Minnesota

Two large wildfires burning uncontrolled in northeastern Minnesota grew significantly overnight. The Jenkins Creek fire more than doubled in size and has now burned more than 20,000 acres of forest, or about 31 square miles. It's burning north in a long, narrow band east of Hoyt Lakes and south of Babbitt. Meanwhile the Camp House Fire grew modestly to about 15,000 acres. That fire near Brimson has destroyed at least 144 structures. That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly ...

Wildfires continue to burn and grow in northeastern Minnesota

Hot weather, wildfires continue in Minnesota

It’s another hot, dry, breezy day across the region -- creating more challenges for crews battling wildfires in northeast Minnesota . More than 40 homes and cabins have been destroyed by the fast-moving wildfires. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

Crews in northeast Minnesota are fighting 3 rapidly-growing wildfires

Campfire may have caused wildfire north of Duluth. Lawmakers barreling toward budget deadline

Authorities are still investigating what caused a fast-burning wildfire about 35 miles north of Duluth, but believe a campfire may be to blame. Much of Minnesota is under an air quality alert Monday. And Gov. Tim Walz is urging lawmakers to compromise as their budget deadline quickly approaches.

Northern Minnesota wildfire prompts evacuations. Air quality alert in effect later Monday

Rep. Stauber weighs in on Medicaid, Macalester offering international students summer stay

At a roundtable Friday, 8th District Republican Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber said Congressional Republicans will not cut Medicaid but, rather, work to make sure people are not abusing government help by implementing a work requirement for medical aid. Some state lawmakers want to repeal a ban on seclusions for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Seclusions are forced isolations from the classroom. In Minnesota, 100 percent of children who are placed in seclusion have disabilities. ...

First U.S.-born pope elected. Summer fishing season opens

Catholics react to pope news; U of M talks Trump administration grant funding cuts

Local Catholics are excited about the election of Pope Leo XIV from Chicago. "We have a pope! An American!" said Joan McLeod and Gailyn Ryan. The University of Minnesota says it has lost more than 70 federal grants totaling more than $22 million in Trump administration budget cuts and that it does not know what's coming next. And the first Republican contender has entered the 2026 Minnesota governor's race . Those stories and more in today’s evening newscast from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese....

Conservation groups gather at Minnesota Capitol to protest mining in the BWCA

Driver in park Tavern crash pleads guilty; Bill strengthening DWI consequences passes Senate

The driver charged in a crash that killed two people and injured nine others at a St. Louis Park restaurant last year entered a guilty plea in Hennepin County court this morning. And a bill that strengthens consequences for people with multiple DWIs has passed the Minnesota Senate. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Real ID takes effect Wednesday. Timberwolves lose to Warriors 99-88 in Game 1

Minneapolis State of the City; First cannabis application lottery date set

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's 2025 State of the City address was heavy on public safety improvements. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has announced the date for the first lottery to decide who will get cannabis business licenses from the state. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Federal judge orders Mankato college student’s release from jail

Minnesota Senate ethics panel won't proceed with complaint against DFL Senate President Bobby Joe Champion

A Minnesota Senate ethics panel has deadlocked along party lines and won't proceed with a complaint against DFL Senate President Bobby Joe Champion today. The Rochester police department says it's completed an investigation into a video posted on social media that featured a woman calling a child a racial slur at a local park. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Suspect charged in Minneapolis shooting that killed 4 makes first court appearance

White House CPB funding executive order; Rochester police investigate social media of woman calling a child a racial slur

President Donald Trump's executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's board of directors to "cease federal funding for NPR and PBS" has local stations trying to figure out how the move will affect them. Rochester law enforcement says it's investigating a video of a local woman calling a child a racial slur. The video surfaced on social media earlier this week. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Minnesota House passes bipartisan funding bill for Capitol, elections, AG's office

Minneapolis police announce arrest in recent shooting; Senate approves increased penalties for drivers who bypass school bus arms

The Minnesota Senate approved a provision today to boost penalties for drivers who bypass extended school bus arms. Minneapolis police announced an arrest related to a series of shootings in Minneapolis that left five people dead in less than 24 hours. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Timberwolves beat Lakers to advance in playoffs. Minnesota Supreme Court overturns indecent exposure conviction

Minneapolis shooting update; Changes to state remote work policy

Changes have been made to a new state remote work policy that begins in a little more than a month. And Minneapolis police say three people are dead and two others injured -- one critically -- following a shooting overnight in the city's Phillips neighborhood. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Three people dead after a Minneapolis shooting Tuesday night

Craig announces Senate run; Trump signs executive order to cut funding from sanctuary cities

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is running for a U.S. Senate seat that will be open in the 2026 election. And President Donald Trump signed a new executive order yesterday to identify and cut funding for sanctuary cities, or places that don't fully comply with federal immigration policy. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Rep. Angie Craig is vying for Tina Smith’s U.S. Senate seat

Legislation for stricter DWI rules; Feeding our Future update

A bill that would place stricter rules on those with multiple DWIs is moving to floor votes in both the House and Senate. Lawmakers got their first chance today to ask Minnesota's attorney general about a 2021 meeting he had with business owners tied to the Feeding our Future nutrition scandal. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

U of M accused of mishandling plagiarism allegations against professor. Northfield grapples with drinking water issues

Lawmakers consider eviction delay legislation; Minnesotan will visit Vatican City

Minnesota senators are considering a change that would force landlords to wait to evict tenants if the federal government suspends housing vouchers. A Minnesotan will be among a congressional delegation visiting the Vatican City this weekend for the funeral of Pope Francis . And state regulators are giving a St. Paul iron foundry a final notice to submit information on its operations... or lose its air quality permit. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music...

Judge blocks attempt to withhold federal funds from so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ like Minneapolis, St. Paul

Minnesota Democrats push for new taxes to offset federal spending cuts, Republicans resist

Minnesota Democrats are pushing again for new taxes to offset possible federal spending cuts despite Republican opposition. The University of Minnesota announced a new project today that could set up its own system for vaccine evaluation and clinical guidelines — separate from federal agencies. Those stories and more from today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister....

Gov. Walz focuses on bipartisan work throughout Minnesota

Gov. Tim Walz did not mince words Wednesday night in his State of the State speech when it came to President Donald Trump, but he struck a much more bipartisan tone when it came to Minnesota Republicans. During his speech to the Legislature, Walz, a Democrat and former candidate for vice president, talked about the two parties working together, giving a nod to the equally divided Minnesota House. The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill that grants veteran benefits to Hmong and Lao soldiers who fo...