Minnesota Today

About 22,000 absentee and mail ballots have been marked accepted for Minnesota's presidential primary. New statistics released today by the Secretary of State's office show that many more ballots have been sent out but not yet been returned to election officials.

And Legislative Republicans plan to highlight recent raises for Minnesota state agency commissioners as examples of excessive spending by DFLers. Several leaders of state agencies saw salary adjustments of $30,000 or more per year.

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

The Falcon Heights City Council meets with the St. Anthony Village City Council Thursday night to explore whether the Ramsey County suburbs should resume their policing relationship. The St. Paul City Council voted unanimously to change the name of a portion of St. Anthony Avenue to Rondo Avenue. And a new inspection report from the Minnesota Fire Marshal shows there were violations at Lutsen Lodge resort, which burned down early Tuesday.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Eli Lilly has settled a lawsuit with the state of Minnesota regarding insulin prices. The settlement calls for customers to have the option to pay no more than $35 a month for insulin products.

And applications opened this morning for a new state rebate program that reimburses Minnesotans who buy an electric vehicle.

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

For some in rural Minnesota, it continues to get more challenging to find a hospital to give birth. On Friday, labor and delivery services at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague will come to an end. And union teachers with St. Paul Public Schools will vote next week on whether to authorize a strike. 

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

The manager of the historic north shore lodge destroyed in a fire early this morning says it will be rebuilt.

And union teachers with the St. Paul Public Schools will vote next week on whether to authorize a strike.

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

Season snowfall deficits continue to increase across Minnesota. This winter's snowfall is now about 2 feet below normal in the Twin Cities and more than 3 feet below normal in Duluth. And another DFL state lawmaker, Rep. Hodan Hassan, has announced she will not seek reelection this fall.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

State officials are urging Minnesotans to file their taxes and potentially claim a new tax credit. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said the state is rolling out awareness campaigns about a new child tax credit.

And Minnesota’s new universal school meals program is proving to be more popular than expected. It’s fueling a cooking renaissance at some cafeterias in the state.

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

A report by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development  found Minnesota businesses are "cautiously optimistic" about 2024. And government officials will meet with residents in Minneapolis's East Phillips neighborhood later this week to give updates on pollution from a nearby iron foundry.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minnesota Senate’s majority leader is stepping down from the position. DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic said the cancer she battled during last year’s legislative session has returned. At the start of a new session, she plans to step back from leadership once her caucus names her replacement.

And Minnesota's attorney general's office said the state will get $4.5 million dollars from a settlement with a marketing firm over its role in the opioid crisis.

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

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips will appear on Saturday’s Democratic presidential primary ballot in South Carolina. A nonprofit group will manage the court-ordered oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department. And Minnesota has new statewide standards for teaching social studies.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.