Minnesota Today

The Finance Committee advanced the $200 million bill on a divided voice vote. Senate Republicans designed the legislation to meet their get-tough approach to rising crime. It includes money for police recruitment, courts, prisons and more. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music by Gary Meister.

Tax debate at Capitol heats up, as Walz administration says GOP plan favors rich Minnesotans. Also, Minnesota farmers had another good year in 2021. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Ukrainian officials say the evidence is mounting of war crimes by Russian forces that have invaded the country. President Joe Biden called for war crimes trials on Monday, as the U.S. stepped up sanctions, including the seizure of a 255-yacht believed to belong to a Russian oligarch. Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is talking to the UN. Security council today, asking for tougher sanctions. 

MPR reporter Tim Nelson has been in touch with his longtime friend and colleague Brian Bonner. Brian is a former journalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the former editor of the Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s premiere English language newspaper. Brian has a new job with a Polish NGO and has been in and out of Ukraine and Poland in recent weeks. Tim spoke with Brian about what’s new in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials say the evidence is mounting of war crimes by Russian forces that have invaded the country. President Joe Biden called for war crimes trials on Monday, as the U.S. stepped up sanctions, including the seizure of a 255-yacht believed to belong to a Russian oligarch. Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is talking to the UN. Security council today, asking for tougher sanctions. 

MPR reporter Tim Nelson has been in touch with his longtime friend and colleague Brian Bonner. Brian is a former journalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the former editor of the Kyiv Post, Ukraine’s premiere English language newspaper. Brian has a new job with a Polish NGO and has been in and out of Ukraine and Poland in recent weeks. Tim spoke with Brian about what’s new in Ukraine.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health on Monday reported the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state is now affecting a total of 13 poultry flocks — up from seven last Friday.

This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Big tax cuts are in the table for Minnesotans as Legislature moves toward session endgame, and one of the state’s most outspoken prosecutors died of cancer Sunday, just months before his planned retirement. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

This is Andy Luger's first full week on the job as US Attorney for Minnesota, but it's a position he's familiar with. This is the second time Lugar has been the top-ranking federal law enforcement official for Minnesota. He served under former President Barack Obama.

A US Attorney, Lugar is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district. He oversaw a number of high profile and controversial cases in his first tenure. His work led to the conviction of nine young East African men for attempting to join ISIS. He made the decision to not to file charges against the Minneapolis police officers who killed Jamar Clark. And he lead the prosecution of the man who killed Jacob Wetterling. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger joined host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about his new role.

This is Andy Luger's first full week on the job as US Attorney for Minnesota, but it's a position he's familiar with. This is the second time Lugar has been the top-ranking federal law enforcement official for Minnesota. He served under former President Barack Obama.

A US Attorney, Lugar is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district. He oversaw a number of high profile and controversial cases in his first tenure. His work led to the conviction of nine young East African men for attempting to join ISIS. He made the decision to not to file charges against the Minneapolis police officers who killed Jamar Clark. And he lead the prosecution of the man who killed Jacob Wetterling. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger joined host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about his new role.

Orput’s office issued a statement Sunday saying he died at home, surrounded by family. Additional information is set to be released Monday.

Orput had served as the east metro county's top prosecutor since 2011. He announced in January that he would not seek re-election this year. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, April 4, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Hennepin County District Court judge Regina Chu, who recently presided over the manslaughter trial of fired Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter, is retiring. This is the evening update from MPR News for Friday, April 1. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.