Minnesota Today

A new report from a public health advocacy organization in Minnesota details several declines in important health care metrics compared to pre-pandemic levels. And the U.S. Census Bureau says Minnesota's population has rebounded somewhat this past year — after thousands of people left the state during the pandemic. 

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

The new Minnesota flag will have just three colors — two shades of blue and an eight-pointed white star. The chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission said simplicity won out. This is the evening MPR News update for Tuesday, hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission is putting the final touch-ups on a new Minnesota state flag Tuesday. The flag becomes official next spring, unless state lawmakers intervene. And more Minnesota workers will be able to accrue paid sick time starting next year under a new law.

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

U.S. Steel announced Monday it's agreed to be acquired by Nippon Steel in a deal worth nearly $15 billion, pending regulatory and shareholder approval.

And the Minnesota Court of Appeals Monday upheld a key permit for the proposed copper mine formerly known as PolyMet. It follows a string of setbacks on other permits the mine needs to open. 

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

Synagogues and Jewish institutions across the U.S. — including Minnesota — received bomb threats Sunday. The Midwest Anti-Defamation League says the threats were emailed.

Also on Sunday, police shot and killed a man in Marshall in southwestern Minnesota. Authorities say officers responding to a domestic disturbance "observed a female being actively stabbed” by the man.

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

Minnesota's politicians hope the IRS will reverse their decision to tax rebate checks. Republican Congressman Peter Stauber met Friday with the head of the Internal Revenue Service, and DFL Gov. Tim Walz — who pushed for the rebate checks — is also lobbying the Biden administration in hopes of getting the IRS to change its mind.  

That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Feven Gerezgiher. Music by Gary Meister.

An Anoka County judge has thrown out a lawsuit that challenged the quicker restoration of voting rights to Minnesotans convicted of felonies. And the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined Xcel Energy $14,000 for storing groundwater containing radioactive tritium in tanks at its Monticello nuclear plant before getting a needed permit. 

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

A Hennepin County judge Thursday sentenced a young man to time served after rejecting an earlier plea deal in a fatal attempted carjacking.

That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Feven Gerezgiher. Music by Gary Meister.

People marched Wednesday night in Minneapolis to protest the planned closure of Camp Nenookaasi, a homeless encampment in the East Phillips neighborhood. And the Minnesota Supreme Court has released a decision in a case with the potential to remake the racial and socioeconomic structure of schools. The court found that racial imbalances in schools alone do not violate the state constitution.

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

The Minnesota Supreme Court today released a decision in a case with the potential to remake the racial and socioeconomic structure of schools statewide. The court found that racial imbalances in schools alone don’t violate the state constitution. 

That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Music by Gary Meister.