Minnesota Today

A couple of bills that aim to increase parents' control over their children's public school education await votes in the Minnesota Senate.

One would allow parental review of all instructional materials. The other would require access to class syllabi for parents within the first two weeks of the start of classes.

The bills are among the measures Senate Republicans have introduced during the legislative session as a part of what they call the "Parents' Bill of Rights."

Host Cathy Wurzer talked about the effort with GOP gubernatorial candidate and Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, and Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton.

After a month of testimony, defense attorneys and prosecutors presented their closing arguments on Tuesday in the federal trial of J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, who are charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Jury deliberations are set to begin on Wednesday.

This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Driving remains difficult across much of Minnesota this afternoon amid the ongoing winter storm. Authorities have responded to dozens of crashes and spinouts across the state today. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 22, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

The CDC is expected to revisit their indoor masking guidelines this week. Are changes ahead in workplaces and businesses in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s positivity rate has dipped below 10 percent, which means the state is no longer considered high risk for community transmission. But a new sub-variant of omicron may be on the rise.

Mayo Clinic's Dr. Melanie Swift joined host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the latest pandemic news and to answer your COVID questions.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

Closing arguments are expected Tuesday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter has been sentenced  to two years in the killing of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop last year. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 18, 2022. Hosted by Hannah Yang.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

In results announced overnight, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers says 97 percent of teachers and 98 percent of support staff voted in favor of a strike.

The Saint Paul Federation of Educators says 78 percent of its voting members supported a strike.

The votes do not mean teachers will strike right away, but they empower union leaders to call a strike. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, February 18, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Amir Locke's parents and other family members joined elected officials and civil rights leaders today to mourn the 22-year-old Black man killed in a no-knock police raid earlier this month. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 17, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

Two of the three men accused of violating the civil rights of George Floyd have testified about their roles in the fatal confrontation on May 25, 2020. Former officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng both took the stand Wednesday in federal court in St. Paul. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, February 17, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

A second former police officer took the stand today in the federal trial over violations of George Floyd’s civil rights. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 16, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.