Minnesota Today

56-year-old Jerry Arnold Westrom faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing Jeanne Ann Childs in 1993. The evidence lay dormant for decades until investigators used a family history website to connect crime scene DNA to Westrom. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Lawmaker defends heading Planned Parenthood and serving in the legislature and scientists are closing in on a solution to a vexing water quality problem. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

The department says officers and FBI agents took a 41-year-old Minneapolis man into custody Wednesday in Chicago. Ramsey County prosecutors have yet to file charges. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Last minute defense of Minnesota abortion restrictions turned aside in court and Minneapolis will likely have an outsider for a its new police chief. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Rebecca and Luke Ludwig were among the passengers on a floatplane that crashed into Puget Sound on Sunday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

It's back to school across Minnesota as the state fair ends on a high, but not record note. And more COVID shots will be available starting this week. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Researchers found pesticide levels known to be harmful to monarch butterflies in milkweed plants sold at retail stores in 15 states, including Minnesota. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Many Minnesota State Fair visitors are ranking abortion as their top political issue. The U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned the federal right to an abortion. And now, Minnesotans say they’re vetting candidates based on where they stand on abortion policy. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Sept. 2, 2022. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.

The union representing some 15,000 nurses in the Twin Cities and Duluth said Thursday it will launch a three-day strike against 16 hospitals starting Sept. 12. The decision comes weeks after union leaders said their members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.

This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Taxpayers are on the hook for nearly a half-million dollars in legal fees related to court cases brought over Minnesota's redistricting. Also, 15,000 nurses in hospitals in Twin Cities and Duluth plan a walkout in mid-September. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Sept. 1, 2022. Hosted by Jon Collins. Theme music by Gary Meister.