Minnesota Today

Minnesota Congressmen Tom Emmer, Jim Hagedorn and Pete Stauber are among more than 100 Republican lawmakers who have publicly backed a Texas case. That lawsuit asks the nation’s highest court to invalidate Electoral College votes in four key states that went for Democrat Joe Biden. This is an MPR News afternoon update for Dec. 11, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The agreement would direct more than $200 million in aid to small businesses, but does not include key proposals for workers and families. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, December 11, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The town of Murdock in west central Minnesota has voted to allow a controversial religious sect to use a former Lutheran church in town. Also on the podcast: the daily death toll was again very high, with 89 reported dead of COVID-19. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Dec. 10, 2020. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The Minneapolis City Council voted 13-0 to adopt a budget that contains a controversial plan to take nearly $8 million from the Police Department to pay for crime prevention programs and initiatives in other departments, but with a key last-minute change to police staffing levels from an earlier version.

The series of cuts and transfers, called “Safety for All” by its authors, was added to the budget earlier this week.  It represents a small part of the department’s $179 million budget.

This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 10, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis poised to start cutting police in wake of George Floyd's death, even as mayor and police chief say its a bad idea in the face of rising violence. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

A new legal analysis recommending the release of Myon Burrell, a Black man convicted in the 2002 shooting death of an 11-year-old Minneapolis girl, could weigh into his fate as he takes his case before the state Board of Pardons next week. 

Burrell was 16 when a stray bullet hit and killed Tyesha Edwards, a Black sixth-grader, as she did her homework at her dining room table. Even though Burrell was a juvenile, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Gov. Tim Walz and his administration gave details on COVID-19 vaccine distribution Tuesday, including who would be prioritized in receiving the initial dosages. The governor says that there’s enough for about 183,000 people in the first rounds of distribution for those in high-priority groups to receive the vaccination.  This is the MPR News evening update for Dec. 8, 2020. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

With cases of COVID-19 still surging throughout Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce the state’s plan for vaccine distribution Tuesday.

This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

More signs of improvement in Minnesota's COVID-19 outbreak as hospitalizations slow, and Gov. Tim Walz prepared to roll out the state’s vaccine plan in coming days. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota health officials reported 139 more COVID-19 deaths over the weekend as the overall pandemic death toll in the state is poised to surpass 4,000.

That grim milestone could come as soon as Monday, with the death toll at 3,984 and the state averaging 58 deaths a day over the past week.

This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, December 7, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.