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An adult woman plays with a toddler on a colorful rug at preschool

Minnesota’s new state agency focuses on children and caregivers

Currently, four different state agencies oversee programs for young children but during this year’s legislative session, a proposal for a new state agency was passed to consolidate those programs under one jurisdiction: the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families.
Piece of artwork next to feet

23 art galleries, five days, two cities

Arts reporter Alex V. Cipolle visited 10 art galleries in Minneapolis and St. Paul for a preview of the Twin Cities Art Week, showcasing the diverse and vibrant contemporary art scene, from major institutions to neighborhood spaces, with various intriguing exhibitions.

Deputy shoots man in Granite Falls

A man was shot by a deputy in western Minnesota Wednesday evening.
A person lights a marijuana joint

St. Paul City Council restricts cannabis, tobacco smoking in public places

The St. Paul City Council has passed an ordinance restricting smoking cannabis, tobacco and hemp products on city-controlled property. The vote passed 4-3.
A sea of fall colors in trees

Explore the top three places in Minnesota for peak fall foliage this week

As temperatures begin dropping this fall season, soon too will the leaves. The annual transformation of green foliage into an array of oranges, reds and yellows is being seen across the state of Minnesota.  
People watch a supermoon rise above Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 30.

This week's harvest moon will be the last supermoon of the year

A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth along its elliptical orbit, which means it can appear larger and brighter to viewers. The last one of the year will be visible Thursday and Friday.
A view of a shipwreck at the bottom of Lake Superior

Harrowing stories resurface in newly discovered Lake Superior shipwreck

Seventy years after sinking with the loss of more than half its crew in a Lake Superior storm, the freighter Henry Steinbrenner was found this month by a pair of Minnesota shipwreck hunters. With the discovery, a tale of tragedy, survival and heroism on the big lake once lost to time and fading memories is resurrected.
A historic theater and street are seen

St. Cloud looks to bring new life, connections to revitalize city's downtown

St. Cloud is asking the Minnesota Legislature for $100 million in state bonding money to improve roads, bridges and other infrastructure. City leaders say they want to create a more vibrant, walkable downtown with more housing options.
Four men are on a stage with a grid-like backdrop.

Art Hounds: Bike shop textile art

A multi-sensory show in Owatonna Center for the Arts asks what legacy we create. 1950s rock ‘n roll comes to life in the musical “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Old Log Theatre near Excelsior, and Eric Ouren’s fiber art figures reward a close look at a bike shop in St Peter. 
Two boxes are filled with food items as they move down a conveyor belt.

Minnesota food shelves brace for government shutdown

A lot is on the line if the federal government shuts down — in particular for people who might not be able to afford food on their own.

Minnesota murder suspect, mistakenly released from Indiana jail, arrested in Twin Cities

A man wanted for a 2021 killing in Minnesota — who was mistakenly released from custody in Indiana earlier this month — was arrested Wednesday in the Twin Cities.
There's high demand for this fall's COVID shots, which offer protection against circulating variants of omicron. But there's been some distribution hiccups.

This year's COVID vaccine rollout is off to a bumpy start, despite high demand

Some people are finding pharmacies still don't have supply of the shots, and others are having insurance coverage troubles. Here's what's going on.
Passengers at the check-in desks in the departures hall at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 30, 2021.

U.S. allows Israelis visa-free entry as Israel opens travel to Palestinian Americans

The decision is part of a deal that requires Israel to end bans and restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Arab Americans traveling to Israel.
A TV screen shows a file image of U.S. soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday. North Korea said Wednesday that it was expelling King, who crossed into the country through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.

Travis King, U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea, is back in U.S. custody

U.S. officials thanked Sweden and China for help securing the release of the 23-year-old Army private, who went to North Korea in July.
President Biden's dog Commander takes a walk outside the West Wing on April 29, 2023.

Commander bites again: Biden's dog has nipped another Secret Service officer

President Biden's dog bit several Secret Service agents a total of 10 times between October 2022 and January 2023. On Monday, he bit another officer at the White House.
Menendez Bribery

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case

Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, his wife and two businessmen have pleaded not guilty to federal charges in a case accusing the senator of pocketing bribes of cash and gold bars.
A NASA astronaut is helped out of the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft

Three astronauts return to Earth after a year in space. NASA's Frank Rubio sets U.S. space record

A NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after being stuck in space for just over a year. American Frank Rubio set a record for the longest U.S. spaceflight — a result of the extended stay.
Athletics Twins Baseball

Matt Wallner hits grand slam to help Twins beat A's 11-3

Matt Wallner hit a grand slam in a five-run first inning, Alex Kirilloff added a two-run homer and the Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland Athletics 11-3 on a cold and drizzly night Tuesday night.
Target

Target to close 9 stores, including 3 in the San Francisco Bay Area, citing safety concerns

Target says it's closing nine stores in four states, including one in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood, and three in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
Placards are gathered together at the close of a picket by members of The Writers Guild of America outside Walt Disney Studios, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Burbank, Calif.

Writers will return to work on Wednesday, after union leadership votes to end strike

The 148-day Hollywood writers strike ended just after 12:01 a.m. PT on Wednesday, thanks to a new three-year deal the Writers Guild of America made with major Hollywood studios.
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