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Minnesota news. Independent + nonprofit. Free thanks to members. Listen on air, read online or follow here ❤️ 📷: The Minnesota Capitol building just after sunset on a spring evening, by Brian Bakst | MPR News.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 14h

Firefighters were strengthening the containment line around the Crosby Fire in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park along the North Shore. Officials said Sunday that the fire grew from about 260 acres to 300 acres in the past day, but it’s also now 50 percent contained — 5 percent more than Saturday.

North Shore wildfire now 50% contained, hiking trail remains closed

Firefighters are strengthening the containment line around the Crosby Fire in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park along the North Shore. Minnesota Interagency Fire Center officials said that the fire,...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 15h

Israel says it expects all of the living hostages held in the Gaza Strip to be released Monday. The announcement on Sunday confirmed the next phase of the breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas, as Palestinians awaited a long-promised surge of aid deliveries into the enclave.

Israel lays out plans for hostage release and prisoner swap expected on Monday

Israel says it expects all of the living hostages held in the Gaza Strip to be released Monday. The announcement on Sunday confirmed the next phase of the breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas, as Pa...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 18h

The ship left port in Superior, Wis., in 1975 “With a load of iron ore, 26,000 tons more, than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,” as immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song about the wreck. The Fitz would have passed just a few miles off shore from Split Rock.

MPR News @mprnews.org · 18h

Two thousand people are expected to turn out next month when Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society host a memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10.

Huge crowd expected for 50th anniversary memorial of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Two thousand people are expected at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald at Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior on Nov. 10.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 19h

Four years ago, deer infected by chronic wasting disease were illegally dumped on public land in Beltrami County. Since then, a team from the University of Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach has been studying CWD’s effects on the environment and other cervid animals.

U of M researchers studying how CWD lingers and travels in environment

Four years ago, deer infected by chronic wasting disease were illegally dumped on public land in Beltrami County. Since then, a team from the University of Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outr...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 1d

A special fundraising initiative recently launched at Bemidji State University is aimed at replanting trees on campus. That's after a destructive storm in June destroyed an estimated 9 million trees throughout Beltrami County.

BSU looks to reclaim ‘University of the Pines’ legacy through fundraiser

A special fundraising initiative recently launched at Bemidji State University is aimed at replanting trees on campus. That's after a destructive storm in June destroyed an estimated 9 million trees t...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 1d

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is pulling a set of breathalyzer testing instruments believed to have delivered erroneous results in five counties.

Minnesota pulls breathalyzers for review after data entry errors reported

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced that it is asking local departments to suspend use of the instruments until they could be assessed.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 1d

Starry stonewort, a fast-growing invasive algae, was discovered in the Rush Lake channel. The Whitefish Chain of Lakes Association mounted a counter-attack, including hand pulling, chemical treatment and monitoring.

Whitefish Chain’s early attack on invasive species shows signs of success

Starry stonewort, a fast-growing invasive algae, was discovered in the Rush Lake channel. The Whitefish Chain of Lakes Association mounted a counter-attack, including hand pulling, chemical treatment ...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 1d

Visitors to Anoka will now be able to drink alcoholic beverages and walk around outside year-round in a designated area downtown near the Red River.

The Anoka social district, which initially started as a 30-day trial in 2023, is open year-round, effective Oct. 7, with a few exceptions.

Visitors and residents can now 'sip and stroll' year-round in downtown Anoka

The Anoka social district, which initially started as a 30-day trial in 2023, is now open year-round, effective Oct. 7, with a few exceptions.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

The Trump administration says "substantial" layoffs of federal workers have begun, appearing to follow through on threats to slash the size of government during the shutdown.

White House says 'substantial' layoffs of federal workers have begun, with few details

The Trump administration says it has started the process of issuing reduction-in-force notices to federal employees. It's not clear how many agencies are affected or how many people.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

There’s a new polar bear at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The zoo announced Friday that Astra, the 4-year-old female polar bear from Washington state, arrived at the zoo Thursday evening.

Polar bear arrives at Como Park Zoo in St. Paul

The arrival of the 700-pound, 4-year-old female polar bear is part of a plan to support the threatened species.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

The St. Paul Downtown Development Corporation announced Friday that it has acquired the Alliance Bank Center building from Madison Equities.

The 16-story building in downtown St. Paul was left vacant by Madison Equities after it stopped paying the building’s utility bills.

St. Paul Downtown Development Corporation acquires vacant Alliance Bank Center building

The 16-story building in downtown St. Paul was left vacant by Madison Equities after it stopped paying the building’s utility bills.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

A new mural is rising on Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, transforming a mistaken paint-over into a bold tribute to coffee, migration and community.

Paint it back: Mural reborn in Minneapolis after erasure

A new mural is rising on Central Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, transforming a mistaken paint-over into a bold tribute to coffee, migration and community.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

The Climate Prediction Center has officially issued a La Niña advisory, signaling that cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures have returned to the eastern Pacific.

La Niña returns: What it could mean for Minnesota’s winter

The Climate Prediction Center has officially issued a La Niña advisory, signaling that cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures have returned to the eastern Pacific.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

The family of a Cottage Grove man who died after a DWI arrest in Eagan last year has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit. They're alleging that police and jail staff mistook symptoms of a major stroke for drug impairment and let him languish for hours without medical treatment.

Eagan police ignored man's stroke symptoms during traffic stop, wrongful death suit alleges

The family of a 50-year-old postal worker from Cottage Grove has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit alleging that Eagan police and jail staff mistook his stroke symptoms for drug impairment after ...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

The Crosby Fire, burning in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, has prompted the closure of a section of the Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore. The fire is 160 acres in size and officials said it’s 25 percent contained, as of Thursday evening.

North Shore wildfire prompts closure of part of the Superior Hiking Trail

The Crosby Fire, burning in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, has prompted the closure of a section of the Superior Hiking Trail along the North Shore. The fire is 160 acres in size and officials s...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 2d

Artificial intelligence–powered cameras to detect wildfires — already in use in the western U.S. — are now operating in Minnesota for the first time. Installed by Xcel Energy in Mankato and Clear Lake, the devices scan for smoke and heat to provide alerts to utilities and first responders.

AI cameras now scanning Minnesota skies for early signs of wildfire

Artificial intelligence–powered cameras to detect wildfires — already in use in the western U.S. — are now operating in Minnesota for the first time. Installed by Xcel Energy in Mankato and Clear Lake...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

Tribal economic development leaders convened Wednesday and Thursday at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis for a gathering aimed at supporting tribal economies.

Center for Indian Country Development hosts data summit, looks to future of tribal economies

Tribal, economic and Federal Reserve leaders convened in Minneapolis for an event aimed at supporting tribal economies.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

Making fermented foods is easier than you may think. Food writer Beth Dooley invited us to her kitchen to talk about the process for making foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt.

Fermentation made easy: Beth Dooley's simple sauerkraut recipe

Making fermented foods is easier than you may think. Food writer Beth Dooley shares her simple sauerkraut recipe.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

The Minneapolis City Council passed a new ordinance that will require landlords who own properties repeatedly flagged for health and safety violations to face a public hearing before their licenses are renewed.

Negligent landlords to face tighter scrutiny in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis City Council passed a new ordinance that will require landlords who own properties repeatedly flagged for health and safety violations to face a public hearing before their licenses ar...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

In his second term, President Donald Trump has increasingly sought the use of the National Guard — specifically in Democratic-led cities — to address crime, quell protests and support ICE operations. In recent weeks, they have been deployed to prune trees, collect trash and patrolling neighborhoods.

Trump’s use of National Guard strays from role as ‘minutemen,’ military experts say

Military experts say they also worry how these new deployments will affect recruitment and public trust.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

MIGIZI leaders highlighted programming where youth participants take care of sacred sites, such as those along the Minnesota River. And youth involved with MIGIZI showcased robots they had made during the session, moving them around with a handheld controller.

National conference brings together Native scientists, engineers and educators

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society hosted its national conference in Minneapolis, bringing together Native scientists, engineers, educators and students.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

A storytelling festival in Winona, a Pulitzer-winning play about caregiving and a Prince-inspired fashion show - here's what's on the Art Hounds' radar this week.

Art Hounds: A storytelling road trip, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play and vintage fashion flair

Art Hounds recommend the Sandbar Storytelling Festival, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Cost of Living” and the vintage fashion show Glam Jam.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

NHL right wing Vladimir Tarasenko played his first 10 and a half seasons for St. Louis. Tonight, he'll make his return to the city - this time as one of the Minnesota Wild's newest players.

Vladimir Tarasenko has found a fresh start and a warm welcome with the Minnesota Wild

Not that long after he regularly ruined their nights while playing a leading role for the St. Louis Blues, Tarasenko will make his Wild debut in the opener on Thursday in, fittingly, the city where he...

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 3d

Fans across the WNBA have shown an outpouring of support on social media for players and coaches since recent press conferences have emphasized disparities in the league. And in Minnesota, Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier and head coach Cheryl Reeve have reignited calls for change.

Calls for changes in the WNBA follow a history of advocacy in women's sports

Fans across the league have watched the press conferences from players and coaches, and there has been an outpouring of support on social media. Their concerns echo long-held qualms players and coache...

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