Minnesota Today

Electoral College members meet Tuesday at the State Capitol and at sites across the U.S. to cast the final votes in the presidential election. 

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips gave farewell remarks to Congress on the House floor Monday.  The 3rd Congressional District Democrat did not seek reelection. Phillips unsuccessfully sought his party's presidential nomination earlier this year.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

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A judge has sentenced a southeast Minnesota man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing his estranged partner. Family and friends tearfully remembered Madeline Kingsbury in a Winona County courtroom Tuesday during Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing.

And Minnesota took part in the ceremonial casting of Electoral College votes on Tuesday.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

‘Pure evil’: Madeline Kingsbury’s family, friends decry abuse that led to her murder

Adam Fravel sentenced to life in prison for murdering Madeline Kingsbury

‘An irreplaceable feeling’: Formerly incarcerated advocate votes in Electoral College

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A DFL state lawmaker is appealing a judge's decision to let a lawsuit continue challenging his residency.

And construction is underway on a new $32 million military and veterans’ museum next to Camp Ripley near Little Falls.

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

A trial kicks off Monday in Scott County in a case that could impact control of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The Minnesota Republican Party has a new chair. At a party meeting Saturday, Alex Plechash defeated David Hann, the party’s chair for the past three years.

And last week, President Joe Biden commuted the federal prison sentences of more than 1,500 people — but not everyone is happy with the decision. One person whose sentence was commuted was Jim Carlson. In 2014, Carlson was convicted of selling illegal synthetic drugs from his Duluth head shop. On Facebook over the weekend, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsey called Biden’s decision “frustrating.” Ramsey wrote that Carlson’s actions “contributed to the spread of addiction (and) increased crime.”

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Trial begins in Shakopee over Minn. House race that could swing control of chamber

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If you have travel plans across southern or central Minnesota late tonight or tomorrow -- keep a close eye on weather and road conditions.

And Hennepin County commissioners yesterday approved a $3.1 billion dollar budget for 2025. The budget includes a 5.5 percent property tax levy increase.

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

There’s no indication the man who allegedly shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was ever insured by UHC. That’s according to a spokesperson for the Twin Cities-based company. 

The killing has prompted widespread speculation about whether Luigi Mangione had a bad personal experience with the health care insurer. The 26-year-old had spinal surgery last year for chronic back pain, but his public posts appear to be positive about the experience.

Federal investigators have started looking into suspected Medicaid fraud among autism centers in Minnesota. A search warrant application unsealed by a federal judge Thursday alleges Smart Therapy in Minneapolis received nearly $14 million in reimbursements from Medicaid between 2020 and last month. Star Autism Center in St. Cloud — which opened in August 2020 — received $6 million.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show

FBI agents raid autism treatment centers in Minneapolis, St. Cloud

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FBI agents this morning searched the offices of two autism treatment centers as part of a major investigation into Medicaid fraud.

And the Minneapolis City Council enacted its 2025 budget today, overriding a mayoral veto.

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

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed the city council's budget, but the council could vote Thursday to override him.

The St. Paul City Council approved a budget with a property tax levy increase that is lower than what the mayor proposed. The levy increase of 5.9 percent passed five to one.

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Mayor Jacob Frey vetoes 2025 budget approved by Minneapolis City Council

St. Paul City Council passes property tax increase, makes cuts to mayor's spending plan

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he’s vetoing the 2025 budget approved by the city council last night. In a statement this afternoon, the mayor said he WILL approve the property tax levy, an increase of just under 7 percent.

And the authors of Minnesota’s cannabis law are expressing disappointment over procedural delays that will push a retail market rollout into spring or summer.

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

The Minneapolis City Council has passed a 2025 budget. The $1.88 billion budget passed after the council added more than 70 amendments to Mayor Jacob Frey’s proposed budget — a process which began last week.  

At the state level, the Office of Justice Programs is sending out $4.5 million to local police agencies around the state to train more officers. Gov. Tim Walz says the funding will cover the cost of training and salaries for 94 candidates transitioning from other fields.

And state Senate leaders again are sparring over the membership of a lawmaker arrested for burglary. 

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

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

As session nears, status of a Minnesota lawmaker facing criminal charges remains a flashpoint

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