Minnesota Today

Galtier, Jackson, John A. Johnson, Parkway and L’Etoile du Nord schools will close by June 2022. The board also voted to close Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary by the end of the 2022-23 school year. Two of these schools have no reopening plan, while others will close temporarily and reopen with different programming. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 2, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minnesota abortion rights advocates watch Supreme Court apprehensively, but opponents say they’re heartened by what they heard from the justices today. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

More than 50,000 Minnesotans — many of them Black, Indigenous and people of color — are kept from voting because of their criminal record. Two of the people who are fighting to regain their right to vote sat in the Minnesota Supreme Court chamber Tuesday as their case was heard.

If they win, tens of thousands of Minnesotans who are “on paper,” or on probation or supervised release, stand to get a chance to vote much sooner than they otherwise would.

Brian Bakst is covering the story for MPR News. He joined Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer to tell her more.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

Work continues Wednesday to pick a jury in the trial of the former Brooklyn Center police officer charged in Daunte Wright’s killing. Potter’s attorney has made it clear Potter will testify in her defense. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minnesota will hear from former cop Kimberly Potter about shooting Daunte Wright as her trial plays out in Minneapolis. Also, president Joe Biden says his infrastructure bill will make for big changes in Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

President Joe Biden is in Minnesota Tuesday to promote his $1 trillion infrastructure law. He visited Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount and gave remarks.

Mitch Landrieu, a former mayor of New Orleans, was tapped by Biden to oversee implementation of the infrastructure law. He told Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer about the billions Minnesota can expect as part of the package.

MPR News reporter Brian Bakst also stopped by Minnesota Now to share political analysis of the infrastructure package and Biden’s visit.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

Former officer Kimberly Potter is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of Daunte Wright during an April traffic stop. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minnesota is bracing for Omicron and possibly more school shutdowns. Also president Joe Biden will be in the Twin Cities on Tuesday afternoon. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

The world is wondering what's next with the new coronavirus variant (dubbed “omichron”). Scientists aren't sure if it is more transmissible and dangerous than the delta variant that has spread rapidly around the world.

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 4,511 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 44 new deaths in the state. Minnesota's hospitals are still overrun with COVID-19 patients and others who need acute medical care.

Dr. Rahul Koranne, president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association, gave Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer an update on the situation in Minnesota hospitals.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

Jury selection begins Tuesday in the trial of Kimberly Potter, a former Brooklyn Center police officer charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of Daunte Wright.

Skyway and tunnel connections to the government center will remain shut down during the trial and parking in the underground ramp is closed to the public. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, November 29, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.