A series of events gets underway today in Minneapolis to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the racial justice movement that it sparked. A moment of silence will be held this afternoon at the intersection of 38th and Chicago where Floyd was killed.

The Minneapolis Park Board is closing some parking areas around Bde Maka Ska earlier in the evening. That change is in response to safety concerns stemming from large groups gathering in those parking lots at night. The Park Board said those groups have engaged in “disruptive, illegal, and sometimes violent conduct.”

The Timberwolves lost to the Thunder last night in game two of the NBA’s Western Conference championship series 118-103. The Thunder now lead a best-of-seven series 2-0.

The Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 last night to knot the PWHL’s Walter Cup finals at a game apiece. Britta Curl-Salemme scored both Frost goals.

Faith leaders gathered at Minneapolis City Hall today for an interfaith prayer, marking the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police.

And Gov. Tim Walz defended a proposal today to roll back a tax exemption for data centers in the state.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A series of events gets underway today in Minneapolis to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the racial justice movement that it sparked. A moment of silence will be held this afternoon at the intersection of 38th and Chicago where Floyd was killed.

The Minneapolis Park Board is closing some parking areas around Bde Maka Ska earlier in the evening. That change is in response to safety concerns stemming from large groups gathering in those parking lots at night. The Park Board said those groups have engaged in “disruptive, illegal, and sometimes violent conduct.”

The Timberwolves lost to the Thunder last night in game two of the NBA’s Western Conference championship series 118-103. The Thunder now lead a best-of-seven series 2-0.

The Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 last night to knot the PWHL’s Walter Cup finals at a game apiece. Britta Curl-Salemme scored both Frost goals.

An international student who’s been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since March was released under a judge’s order Thursday. Firefighting crews are now making quick progress on wildfires that have burned in northeastern Minnesota for nearly two weeks. And lawmakers are expecting to work through the Memorial Day weekend to finalize the bills needed to craft a two-year state budget.

Police reform advocates in Minneapolis are denouncing the Trump administration's attempt to drop the federal consent decree.

And a working group on the human services budget bill at the Minnesota Legislature is meeting privately to iron out differences. As they do, advocates for disabled people in the state held a rally this morning to push against possible cuts for disability waivers.

Those stories and more in today’s evening news update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

While much of the state budget will get sorted out in a special session, lawmakers passed a bill to fund several state government agencies last night.

Heavy rains that have fallen in parts of the state today will ease drought and abnormally dry conditions.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Crews battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota have had to contend with windy conditions today. East winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour have been accompanied by gusts of up to 40 miles per hour.

And meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that while a system will bring rain to the state today through Wednesday, it's expected to miss the region where fires are burning.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.