Minnesota Today

Tuesday is primary election day in Minnesota. Voters have two main ways to vote Tuesday. If you were mailed an absentee ballot but haven't yet returned it, skip the post office and turn it in by 5 p.m. at the office that sent it. If you vote in person, you have a little more time. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A man convicted in the 1970 murder of a St. Paul police officer goes before Minnesota’s parole board Tuesday. Ronald Reed was 19 when he ambushed Officer James Sackett Sr. with a high-powered rifle as he responded to a fake emergency call.

More than 80 businesses have signed a letter asking the state for help after wildfires disrupted business during what is normally the busiest time of year in northeast Minnesota.

West St. Paul is suspending its contract with Flock Safety and removing the company’s automated license plate reader cameras.

The federal government is laying out a new vision for Head Start programs nationwide — including limiting the amount local centers can spend on administrative costs.

Tomorrow is primary election day in Minnesota. Voters will winnow the field of candidates running for governor, U-S Senate, U-S House and a host of other state and local races.

And a power failure at a Minneapolis data center called the 5-11 Building is likely behind disruptions to several government services Thursday -- including some 911 lines and voting machines.

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

The federal government used to help states identify and respond to election threats, but not this election cycle.

Drought and dry conditions have covered most of Minnesota. But recently, key production areas had good rain prompting some to think yields of wheat, corn and soybeans in the state could be just as good or better than last year's records.

Five candidates are on the ballot to lead the Hennepin County attorney’s office after Mary Moriarty declined to run for reelection.

Kratom is now banned in North Dakota at least until a special legislative session. Minnesota recently upped the legal age for buying it from 18 to 21.

Republicans running for U.S. Senate are making closing pitches.

Minnesota's drought is likely here to stay for a while. That's according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

But there was welcome rain in the Boundary Waters fire zone this morning.

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

Flights were delayed Thursday afternoon at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after telecommunication issues caused a ground stoppage.

News that the Prairie Correctional facility in Appleton will reopen as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center has divided some community members.

A Twin Cities woman who suffered salmonella poisoning after eating takeout from Chipotle is suing the restaurant chain.

Minneapolis park officials say a blue-green algae bloom is underway at Cedar Lake. Testing confirmed the toxic algae and a warning is now in place for all three beaches at Cedar Lake. People and pets should stay out of the water.

The Moorhead Police Department is searching for a missing Indigenous woman with family ties to a long-standing cold case in Duluth.

Businesses impacted by the wildfires burning in the Boundary Waters are asking for state aid after Gov. Tim Walz suggested this week that a special session to provide wildfire relief is unlikely.

And the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update for Minnesota is showing a SLIGHT improvement in long-standing drought conditions across the state.

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

St. Paul is set to clear a homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park Wednesday. At a city council meeting Tuesday, several neighbors and advocates said the city should delay it.

Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.

The Winona Police Department is investigating the disappearance of the city's Flock cameras. Winona police say that all eight of their Flock cameras, which are used to capture license plate numbers and other vehicle information, are gone.

Target Field concession workers have announced a one-day strike Wednesday at the sold out Noah Kahan concert. The expected strike follows one in June when the Twins played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The union and the concessions vendor have been in negotiations since March.

A debate featuring four candidates for Minnesota governor showcased differences in style and substance today. The Farmfest stage was filled by likely Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and three Republicans vying for that nod: Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls.

Governor Tim Walz says there is no need to extend a peacetime emergency declaration for the wildfires that have burned through parts of the Boundary Waters.

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

St. Paul is set to clear a homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park Wednesday. At a city council meeting Tuesday, several neighbors and advocates said the city should delay it.

Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.

The Winona Police Department is investigating the disappearance of the city's Flock cameras. Winona police say that all eight of their Flock cameras, which are used to capture license plate numbers and other vehicle information, are gone.

Target Field concession workers have announced a one-day strike Wednesday at the sold out Noah Kahan concert. The expected strike follows one in June when the Twins played the Los Angeles Dodgers. The union and the concessions vendor have been in negotiations since March.

Forest Service officials say recent rains aided firefighters who are making progress in containing wildfires in northeast Minnesota.

And aging infrastructure and outdated I-T systems may have contributed to recent cyberattacks on Minnesota water systems.

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