Minnesota Today

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says she'll skip the DFL convention in Rochester and head straight to a Senate primary.

Minneapolis city leaders are searching for a new police chief after Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday.

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

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara resigned Tuesday amid allegations that he interfered with an internal investigation. The investigation explored allegations that the chief had sexual relationships with city employees. According to investigators, there was sufficient evidence that O’Hara intentionally deleted data on his city-issued cell phone that was related to the investigation.

At the DFL convention this weekend, the endorsement that will garner the most attention is in the U.S. Senate race. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are seeking their party's endorsement.

The temporary closure of one of the state’s few marijuana testing labs could spell trouble for the budding industry. Last week, Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management froze testing at Legend Technical Services for failing to meet security and testing requirements. State law requires testing, but Minnesota already faces a backlog with demand spiking.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals won't reinstate a law to ban certain gun trigger mechanisms.

And gas prices were down slightly today after hitting a four-year Memorial Day high yesterday.

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

A statewide summer traffic enforcement campaign is now underway with officers, deputies and troopers across Minnesota placing extra attention on speeding drivers. The campaign is also targeting distracted and impaired driving, as well as seat belt use.

Minnesota is commissioning a study on nuclear energy after state lawmakers recently approved funding.

Minnesota lawmakers approved $3 million to help colleges fight student enrollment fraud. College administrators call the fake enrollments “ghost students.”

The head of the Native American Community Clinic says a new affordable housing and health center project currently under construction in south Minneapolis is designed as an indigenous space.

Players of the unique Hmong sport tuj lub hope more people give the time-honored sport a spin.

An attorney for an ICE agent charged in a February road rage incident during “Operation Metro Surge” says there's more to the story than what's shown in a widely circulated video. Prosecutors allege Gregory Morgan pointed a handgun at another vehicle on Highway 62 after a traffic dispute. He faces two felony counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He's set to make a first appearance in court Friday.

The founder of a nonprofit that’s become synonymous with fraud in Minnesota was sentenced Thursday to nearly 42 years in prison. Aimee Bock, who founded and led Feeding Our Future, was also ordered to pay $243 million dollars in restitution.

Federal law enforcement officials say they will continue to investigate allegations of fraud in the state of Minnesota and in other states. During a press conference Thursday, officials announced charges against 15 people who allegedly stole $90 million in taxpayer dollars.

A federal judge has set a July 1 hearing on a possible injunction to stop Minnesota's ban on prediction markets. The new law bans the organization or advertising of prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket in Minnesota.

For the first time in two years, visitors to a state park in northern Minnesota can once again travel nearly a half-mile underground into a historic mine. Crews have been working nonstop since then to get it reopened.

The CBS News radio division is calling it quits Friday. WCCO in Minneapolis switched to being an ABC News affiliate on Thursday.

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Feds say 15 charged with bilking Medicaid programs in Minnesota

Aimee Bock sentenced to 500 months in Feeding Our Future fraud case

Following 2-year hiatus, Soudan underground mine tours to resume on the Iron Range

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock has been sentenced to 500 months in prison -- that’s nearly 42 years -- for orchestrating what investigators say was the nation’s largest COVID-era fraud scheme. Bock was also ordered to pay $243 million in restitution.

And federal authorities announced today they’ve filed criminal charges against 15 Minnesotans accused of stealing millions from federal programs.

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

The Flanders wildfire in Crow Wing County is now 95 percent contained. Authorities say they believe it was sparked by a campfire. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said it has identified people of interest in connection with the case.

Good financial news for Target today -- the Minneapolis-based retailer saw better-than-expected sales in the first quarter.

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

State lawmakers are giving counties and tribal communities $90 million to upgrade the old and inefficient technology they use to administer SNAP and Medicaid benefits.

Immigration advocates in Minnesota say fear, policy changes and longer processing delays are discouraging some eligible immigrants from applying for U.S. citizenship. Organizations that help immigrants apply for citizenship say applications have dropped over the past year.

Red Lake Nation tribal band members will cast votes Wednesday in an election for leadership positions, including tribal chairman. Tribal secretary and district representative positions are also up for a vote this year. The tribal nation holds elections every four years. Results are expected to be announced Thursday.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it has located the origin of the Flanders Fire near the north shore of Flanders Lake. The fire started early Saturday afternoon and grew to more than 1,600 acres. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang says individuals appear to have started a campfire near Flanders Lake on Saturday or the night before.

Minnesota is being sued by a federal agency over a new state law banning prediction markets.

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