Minnesota Today

Gov. Tim Walz rolled out his proposed 2025 budget today, calling for a cut to state sales tax, a move he says will help offset increased costs from proposed federal tariffs.

And Democrats in the state House of Representatives are back in their home districts, after boycotting the chamber amidst a power sharing dispute with Republicans.

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

The Minnesota Supreme Court says it will hear arguments on Thursday of next week, Jan. 23, in a dispute over who is running the Minnesota House. That means a standoff over House operations could remain in flux for awhile. 

And the court on Wednesday heard arguments in a special election case. Republicans want to delay the election, which earlier this month was scheduled for Jan. 28. 

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Minnesota’s government branches duel in constitutional clash where courts might have final word

Minnesota Supreme Court weighs postponing election crucial to Capitol control

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President Joe Biden and other mediators say a ceasefire deal has apparently been reached in Gaza. Locally, some Palestinian Minnesotans are cautiously optimistic about the agreement, noting previous agreements have fallen apart.

Minnetonka artist Ragdha Skeik says she was able to speak with her family members in Gaza and Egypt this morning.

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

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

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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

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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

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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.