Minnesota Today

The State Emblems Redesign Commission approved the core design for a new state seal. After the design gained breakaway support in earlier meetings, the panel voted to advance the seal design. The design centers the state bird taking flight from a Minnesota lake. Strands of wild rice, trees and a star frame the loon. 

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

The head of Minnesota's medical cannabis office is stepping down. The move means that the state must now fill two vacancies for top marijuana regulators. And some Minnesota cities are requesting state money to tackle "forever chemicals" in their drinking water supplies.

This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Peter Cox. Music by Gary Meister.

Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin’s health is improving after he was stabbed more than 20 times last month while in federal prison in Arizona. Chauvin is serving concurrent sentences of more than 20 years for a state conviction for murdering George Floyd and federal charges of violating Floyd's civil rights. 

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

The Democratic Governors Association has elected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as its new chair. And in Rochester, educators have begun implementing required changes that focus on how reading is taught in the state. 

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

More than 550 soldiers from the Guard's 34th Infantry Division Red Bull headquarters are getting ready for a 10-month, regularly scheduled deployment to the Middle East.

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

The Minneapolis City Council allocates millions for non-police-based public safety initiatives in the 2024 budget. Mayor Jacob Frey is critical of the funding strategies for these programs. We also hear about internal tensions within the DFL Party, highlighting the public rebuke of Senator Ron Latz by several party members over his controversial comments regarding Palestinian youth amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Judge Wilhelmina Wright, the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge in Minnesota, says she plans to step down from the federal bench on Feb. 15.

And the latest Minnesota Community Measure report says the cost of health care services for people with private insurance increased 7 percent in 2022.

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

Anti-war protesters gathered Wednesday for a meeting of the Minnesota State Board of Investment to call the board to pull state money invested in companies linked to Israel. Members of Minnesota’s Jewish community asked the board to block efforts to divest from Israel. And a pair of state lawmakers introduced a child care affordability proposal aimed at lowering the cost of child care in the state.

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

Anti-war protesters gathered for a meeting of the Minnesota State Board of Investment, calling on the board to pull state money invested in companies they say are linked to Israel and the Israeli military. Members of Minnesota's Jewish Community spoke urging the state board to block efforts to erase Israeli investments from the public portfolio, saying the State Board of Investment should oppose divestment.

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

Mayo Clinic has unveiled plans for a new $5 billion campus in downtown Rochester. And the State Emblems Redesign Commission is looking for public feedback before it narrows its pool of finalists for a new state flag and seal. 

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