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Electrical lines and towers frame a power plant

Xcel to temporarily shut down Monticello plant amid new tritium leak

Crews discovered a container being used to catch the contaminated water as a short-term solution had spilled over, resulting in a new leakage from the same location, Chris Clark, Xcel's Minnesota president, told reporters Friday morning at the nuclear plant.
Flooded baseball fields at Lakeside Park in Bayport on March 31, 2019

Bayport riverside residents prepare for possible flooding

The National Weather Service said major flooding is likely in several areas of Minnesota this year. In the town of Bayport, just south of Stillwater, residents who live close to the St. Croix River are doing what they can now to prepare for high water.
Students walk in a gymnasium with motion blur

Legislators consider bill requiring ethnic studies in Minnesota high schools 

A bill that would require Minnesota school districts offer optional ethnic studies classes has advanced through committee with amendments.
People speak at a podium and look at a crowd

'You belong here': Minnesota House passes trans health refuge bill

The proposal would grant legal protections for transgender youth and family members who come to Minnesota seeking gender-affirming health care.
brightly colored portraits of a bus driver, a mailman, and a pharmacist

Art briefs: Advocates rally for creative jobs lost during pandemic

Arts advocates gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol to rally for a bill to fund the rehiring of jobs lost in the creative sector during the pandemic; the Central Minnesota Arts Board announced the winners of its Individual Artists Awards; and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 13-27 and will host a slate of films made in Minnesota.
The Island Queen cuts through a channel

On Madeline Island, residents aim to preserve their ferry lifeline

A warming climate and the gradual loss of the ice road on Lake Superior has made the Madeline Island Ferry an even more essential lifeline for residents and tourists. Now the town of La Pointe, Wis., is trying to buy the service to ensure it runs well into the future.
Hockey game

NCAA hockey: Minnesota beats Canisius 9-2, will challenge St. Cloud for Frozen Four spot

Minnesota Gophers men's hockey brought maroon and gold pride to the NCAA Fargo Regional Thursday night. Now, no matter who wins Saturday, one of Minnesota’s own will play the Final Four.
The stillwater liftbridge and icy water underneath

Here's the flood forecast for Minnesota's river basins

There are growing signs that major and potentially damaging flooding could be headed for parts of Minnesota, with historic levels of water sitting on the landscape in the form of snow.
A sketch of a man in a courthouse

Woman testifies Anton Lazzaro gave her cash, gifts when she brought teens to him

A woman who admitted recruiting and grooming high school girls for a one-time Minnesota Republican Party operative said in trial testimony Thursday that Anton “Tony” Lazzaro gave her cash and expensive gifts in exchange for finding younger sex partners.
Connie Ortberg, left, holds her sign as women rally at the state capitol.

Gun bills move past prior chokepoint in Minnesota Senate

For the first time in years, legislation to restrict guns has cleared a key Minnesota Senate committee. It’s just a first step because it’s unclear if the slim DFL Senate majority backs the bills. 
Prayer rug

Want to find ways to give back, celebrate and build community during Ramadan? Here’s a list of free and ticketed events across Minnesota

Mosques and community groups across Minnesota are hosting several events to celebrate Ramadan, including interfaith dinners and special events for women and girls.
  • 'Reconnecting with the human'Minnesota podcast tackles humanity, womanhood and Islam
A lighthouse is framed below a pink cloudy sky

Planning your next vacation? Try these 18 Minnesota day trips

Have you been dreaming about your next vacation? There are plenty of day trips and staycations you can take right here in Minnesota. MPR News host Angela Davis talked with two journalists about their favorite hidden gems for travel in and around Minnesota and how to plan a short getaway.
a man speaks at a podium

U.S. launches airstrikes in Syria after drone kills American worker

A strike Thursday by a suspected Iranian-made drone killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor in northeast Syria, the Pentagon said.
Vice President Harris speaks during the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022.

Vice President Harris is visiting Africa next week, part of a pushback to China

Vice President Harris will visit Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia to discuss issues like economic growth and food security. She's the highest-ranking administration official to travel to the continent.
A person in a pink suit talks at a podium

Iowa governor signs gender-affirming care ban, bathroom law

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a pair of laws restricting the bathrooms transgender students can use and banning gender-affirming medical care amid a flood of legislation nationwide targeting the trans community.
A person stands at a podium next to posters

Minnesota officials press fight against 'forever chemicals'

Minnesota pollution and health officials are making the case at the State Capitol to restrict nonessential uses of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. And they're touting the $45.6 million that Gov. Tim Walz has requested in his budget to prevent, manage and clean up the ubiquitous compounds.
a woman lays on the bed with her phone

Online communities can help with loneliness — to a point

A new episode from APM's mental health initiative “Call to Mind" explores how loneliness affects mental and physical health, and how meeting an online community offline can help.
Hyundai and Kia are telling owners of over 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven. The Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles.

Hyundai and Kia recall 571,000 vehicles due to fire risk, urge owners to park outside

Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of more than 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven.
The headquarters for National Public Radio in Washington on April 15, 2013.

NPR cancels 4 podcasts amid major layoffs

NPR moved this week to cut 10 percent of its staff and stop production of a handful of podcasts, including Invisibilia, Louder Than a Riot and Rough Translation.
Wish lined up in a row on a sidewalk.

30 invasive carp caught in Mississippi near Winona, largest upstream haul

Invasive carp compete with native species and pose a threat to Minnesota’s rivers and lakes. DNR officials said Thursday that while there’s no “silver bullet” remedy, they’re using “proven methods” to minimize the risk of spread.
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