Democrats in the Minnesota House made good on a threat to boycott the first day of the state legislative session on Tuesday. The lack of members prompted Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, to declare an absence of quorum to do business. Republicans maintain they have authority to run the chamber and chose GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth as House Speaker.

Becker County Judge Michael Fritz says he will rule "sooner rather than later" on a motion to delay the criminal trial of DFL State Sen. Nicole Mitchell until after the current legislative session.

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Capitol standoff spills into court as Minnesota Legislature gets off to rocky start

Minnesota prosecutor wants to keep word ‘senator’ out of Nicole Mitchell trial

Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The 2025 Minnesota legislative session is off and running, kind of.

In the House, with Democrats boycotting the first day of session, there is dispute over whether the 67 Republicans gathered in the House chamber had the numbers for a quorum to actually start the session.

The Senate, which currently has an even split, started on a much more peaceful note.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minnesota Legislature begins its 2025 session in St. Paul. Lawmakers will need to set a budget between now and May. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is pledging to adjourn the House if his fellow DFLers don't show up for the opening day.

And the Vikings’ season is over. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 Monday night in an NFC wild-card game. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was pressured from the start and was sacked a NFL playoff record-tying nine times.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Five key questions as the Minnesota Legislature starts its session

Rams overwhelm Vikings 27-9 in wild-card playoff game moved because of LA wildfires

Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minnesota House leaders remain at odds over a power-sharing agreement ahead of the Legislature's start tomorrow.

The University of Minnesota will receive more than $1.2 million in state lottery proceeds to track the threat of bird flu to the state's wildlife.

That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Democratic and Republican leaders of the Minnesota Senate say they have come to an agreement to jointly run the chamber while it is tied for much of this month. 

Meanwhile, in the Minnesota House, Democrats took their oaths of office Sunday — as part of an effort to block Republican control when the legislative session begins.

And three people died in a two-vehicle, head-on crash Sunday afternoon in central Minnesota. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened on Highway 169 near Mille Lacs Lake. 

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Bumpier takeoff on tap for Minnesota Legislature’s session opening amid early oaths, election disputes

Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minnesota hospitals are seeing a surge in visits. It's mostly flu patients, according to the state, but COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are also spiking. Hospitals says it's putting a strain on ICUs and increasing wait times in emergency departments.

And a state senator facing burglary charges is requesting to postpone a jury trial until May — after the Minnesota legislative session comes to a close.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Are you sick? Know someone who is or has been? New data from the state health department shows hospital admissions for COVID-19 and RSV have increased, and flu-related hospitalizations are soaring.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity invited the public to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter Thursday. The organization raised walls for community members to sign personal messages to the late president. 

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Despite his death in 2021, Walter Mondale was part of today's funeral for President Jimmy Carter. Mondale's son Ted read a eulogy written in 2015 by the late vice president and Minnesota U.S. senator.

Ans a DFL state senator won't vote remotely while on trial in Becker County on a criminal matter.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A federal judge has indefinitely delayed a hearing over former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin's effort to examine George Floyd's heart tissue. The Minneapolis Police Department this week welcomed the largest, most racially diverse incoming class of new hires to its department in more than five years. And North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley says Fargo police officers were justified during an officer-involved fatal shooting in November. 

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Minneapolis Police Department welcomes largest class of new hires since George Floyd murder

Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Ahead of a Minnesota lawmaker's trial on burglary charges, attorneys are going back and forth over whether she can be called "senator" in front of jurors.

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing wildfires in Los Angeles County. Crews are battling flames amid a heavy windstorm. Minnesota's Interagency Fire Center has so far not been tapped for help. A spokesperson says California officials will likely look for help from agencies in their region.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.