Former State Senator Justin Eichorn made his first appearance in court since being arrested Monday for attempting to solicit a minor. And Cleveland-Cliffs says it plans to lay off about 600 workers at two taconite mines on the Iron Range.

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

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate plan to seek the expulsion of fellow GOP Sen. Justin Eichorn as he faces charges of soliciting a minor. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said Republicans met privately on Wednesday and decided they will move to expel Eichorn.

Two key people involved in the Feeding Our Future fraud case were convicted Wednesday by a federal jury. Leader Aimee Bock and restaurant owner Salim Said defrauded federal programs meant to feed needy children during the pandemic.

St. Paul wants to revitalize the Xcel Energy Center. Mayor Melvin Carter is telling state lawmakers the city-owned arena and its adjoining facilities need a facelift. 

A federal jury today convicted Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock and former restaurant owner Salim Said of wire fraud and bribery, and a Minnesota senator faces federal felony charges for attempting to solicit a minor.

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

All Minnesota GOP lawmakers in Congress joined their fellow Republicans in voting for a budget framework that includes $2 trillion in spending cuts. While it doesn’t specify the programs, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and food aid programs.

Tribal leaders are asking members of Congress to address funding concerns and uphold federal government’s treaty obligations to tribes. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Fineday testified to a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon.

A new report released Wednesday by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation found that nearly 60 percent of the state’s total labor force and employment growth came from foreign-born workers from 2019 to 2023.

Those stories and more in today’s morning update. Hosted by Gracie Stockton.

Top legislative Republicans want a state senator to resign after an arrest on an alleged attempt to solicit a minor, and Minnesota law enforcement officials are hoping to get new drug screening kits to officers on the roads as drug-impaired driving reports rise.

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

After 19 days of testimony over more than five weeks, closing arguments could come Tuesday morning in the Feeding Our Future trial. 

The sounds of ship horns will soon be echoing again in Duluth’s Canal Park. The Soo Locks open for the season later this week.

Minnesota’s first rapid transit bus line that mostly runs in its own lane opens on Saturday. The route will link downtown St. Paul to Woodbury via 16 stations.

Those stories and more in today’s morning update.

People who commit Medicaid fraud would face stiffer penalties under a bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, and rural communities will have a chance to voice their concerns about the state of their government at a series of town halls sponsored by the Minnesota Farmers Union.

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

The Minnesota House returns to a full complement Monday after nine weeks with a vacancy. DFLer David Gottfried is being sworn in after winning a special election last week. That brings the House into a 67-67 tie. There are nine weeks remaining in the legislative session.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was in Omaha, Neb., Saturday as part of a series of townhall-style meetings in congressional districts represented by Republicans. The governor makes a similar stop in Wisconsin on Tuesday. 

Those stories and more in today’s morning update.

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents today voted to prohibit its colleges, centers and other academic units from making statements on "matters of public concern or public interest,” and the U of M is among more than 50 universities across the U.S. that are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination.

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

The Minnesota Department of Health says flu and COVID hospitalizations continue to decline, but hospital admissions for RSV have remained steady for the past eight weeks. The virus often resembles a common cold but can lead to prolonged coughing and wheezing in severe cases.  Health officials recommend washing your hands often, wearing a mask and getting vaccinated.

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock on Thursday continued to deny she took part in an alleged $250 million scheme to defraud taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs. After taking the stand in her own defense, Bock faced cross examination from a prosecutor.

The city of Minneapolis will pay $450,000 to the attorneys who sued the city on behalf of an anti-abortion group.

President Trump is threatening a 200 percent tariff on European wine, champagne and spirits in response to the European Union’s plan to impose a 50 percent tariff on American whiskey.  

Those stories and more in today’s morning update.