Severe flooding in some parts of southern and southeastern Minnesota has closed several roads and highways in the area.

Flash flooding closed Interstate 90 between Austin and Dexter for several hours this morning. It is now partially reopened, and MnDOT hopes to have the highway fully reopened this evening.

The U.S. has decided not to renew a key trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. The decision plunges Minnesota's agriculture industry into uncertainty.

Lawmakers grilled the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ leader Wednesday about the agency’s process for revalidating Medicaid providers.

Oral arguments are set Thursday morning in three lawsuits challenging Minnesota's ban on prediction markets. In May, Minnesota became the first state to outlaw prediction markets, which allow users to bet on everything from sports to current events. Supporters of the ban say the markets are unregulated gambling platforms.

Fourteen people facing federal charges for protesting ICE in Minnesota pleaded not guilty in federal court today.

And Minnesota's attorney general's office won't enforce a new law requiring warning labels for social media sites while a lawsuit plays out.

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

More than a dozen people facing conspiracy charges in connection with anti-ICE protests are expected back in Minneapolis federal court Wednesday afternoon.

A Minnesota Senate committee will meet Wednesday to discuss the Department of Human Services' revalidation process. The process triggered the agency to disenroll some providers.

Leaders in three rural Minnesota counties are giving rave reviews to a pilot program aimed at improving emergency medical response time. They are testing out “sprint medics” — paramedics who respond to calls in a pick up truck equipped with advanced life support gear, instead of an ambulance.

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold birthright citizenship is welcome news for many Minnesota families. The justices ruled in favor of the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil.

Also today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws in other states that bar transgender students from participating in school sports. Minnesota officials say the state likely won’t have to change course on rules that allow trans students to join sports that don't match their sex at birth.

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

Tuesday is expected to be another day of scorching and dangerous heat across much of Minnesota. And Minnesotans are trying to cool off any way they can, from going swimming at their local pools or beaches to staying indoors with iced drinks.

As heat builds across Minnesota this week, animal experts are urging pet owners to watch closely for signs their pets may be overheating. Pets can suffer heat stroke just like people.

Advocates for children with disabilities in Minnesota say they’re concerned about federal changes to the Department of Education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees disabled students access to an equitable public education, remains unchanged.

Minnesota candidates are highlighting tough financial times in their own lives to connect with voters on affordability. In ads and speeches, statewide candidates are reflecting on growing up in poverty. Democrats and Republicans alike have pulled from their early memories to connect on affordability. They’re commit to making changes to bring down costs.

An employee at an adult foster care home in central Minnesota is dead after a stabbing last weekend. On Saturday evening, police responded to a report of an assault at St. Luke's Home in Cold Spring, southwest of St. Cloud. It's operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud and serves adults with developmental disabilities.

Minnesotans seek relief at pools, cooling centers as dangerous heat grips state

Minnesota candidates stress tough phases in own lives to connect with voters on affordability

Minnesota advocates worry about disability rights with move of federal special education office

Cold Spring group home employee stabbed to death

Tornado sirens sounded earlier today in parts of central and northern Minnesota as a line of destructive storms swept across the region.

There were no immediate confirmed reports of tornado touchdowns in Minnesota. But the storms produced wind gusts of 75 miles per hour and dropped half-dollar-size hail at Wadena just after 11 a.m. Hundreds of homes and businesses are without power across the state.

Some Minneapolis light rail riders will have to adjust to bus travel this summer. Metro Transit shut down the entire Blue Line and the Minneapolis portion of the green line — starting today.

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

An extreme heat warning takes effect Monday across much of central and southern Minnesota could see temperatures hit the 90s and heat indices making it feel like 110. And with that high heat, the state's Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people visiting state parks to stay hydrated and seek shady areas.

A judge in Polk County ruled in favor of the rural city of Fosston this past week as it takes on the big hospital system that took over its local hospital. Fosston argues that heath care has worsened since Duluth-based Essentia Health took over operations in 2009.

And a new fire service program developed for young adults is off and running in Bemidji.

Dangerous heat peaks Monday; heat index could reach 110 degrees

Rural Fosston moves forward in its quest to regain control of local hospital from Essentia Health

Bemidji fire brigade helps youth with disabilities ladder up their skills

Early voting began Friday in Minnesota ahead of this year’s primary election. At the Minneapolis Early Vote Center, some voters were among the first to cast their ballots in person. Voters can vote early by mail or in person. More information is available at MNvotes.org.

The Inver Grove Heights City Council voted 3 to 2 Friday to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers in the city. The meeting was filled with residents opposed to a proposed data center project. The project’s developer has warned of possible legal action if the moratorium passed. Residents also presented a petition with more than 700 signatures to the state’s Environmental Quality Board, seeking an environmental assessment of the proposed data center.

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a budget Friday that includes a 3.8 percent tuition increase for the next school year. Regent Robyn Gulley was the only regent to vote against the increase, citing concerns about transparency in the budget process. University President Rebecca Cunningham says the increase will help maintain accessibility and fair compensation for faculty and staff.

A 29-year-old worker died early Thursday at a chicken processing plant in central Minnesota. Police say the employee was pinned under equipment in a loading dock area at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Cold Spring. The man’s co-workers removed him, and emergency responders provided medical care, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Pilgrim’s Pride owner JBS says it is conducting an internal review and cooperating with OSHA.

Dangerous heat remains on track to move into Minnesota starting later this weekend and lasting through much of next week. MPR meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber says heat advisories will likely be issued, with temperatures in the 90s and heat indices reaching triple digits. Monday could bring heat indices of 105 to 108 degrees. Conditions will be cooler along the North Shore, and there’s a chance for thunderstorms Sunday, some of which could be strong in northern Minnesota.

Voters can start casting their ballots Friday in the Minnesota primary election. Absentee voting starts 46 days before any election in Minnesota and you can cast an absentee ballot by mail or in person. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says voters don't need an excuse to vote absentee. The primary election is Aug. 11.

A government transparency organization has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to release records connected to Operation Metro Surge this winter. The Forum for Constitutional Rights and Government Accountability requested documents and records back in January and hopes to release the documents to the public so citizens can understand the actions of the federal government.

Beginning next week, Minnesotans will see new pop ups on social media sites warning about potential harms. It's a change lawmakers made in 2025, citing concerns about ill effects for young people.

The Special Olympics USA Games wrap up Friday in the Twin Cities. The closing ceremony will take place at Huntington Bank Stadium and is free and open to the public. Tickets are required and can be claimed online and on site.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday. Reeve is the ninth player or coach from the Lynx to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.