MPR News

Two students look are separated by a plastic barrier.

Survey: Minnesotans of color less likely to believe schools offer equal opportunities

A new survey finds 15 percent of respondents who are Black say Minnesota K-12 schools offer their students the same education as white children. But 48 percent of white respondents said the opportunities are the same regardless of race or ethnicity.

Police: 4 found shot in Wisconsin were killed in St. Paul

Four Twin Cities-area residents found shot to death in an abandoned SUV in rural Wisconsin were killed in St. Paul, St. Paul police said Monday as they announced they were taking over as lead investigators. Two suspects are in custody.

Puddles are seen on a sidewalk after a rain

Strongest storms and severe risk favor afternoon hours

Scattered rain and thunder bring local downpours Monday. A slight risk for severe weather covers Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota. The Twin Cities is under a marginal risk.

A man at a podium gestures.

Poll: Support for Frey, council split

A new MPR News/Star Tribune/KARE 11/FRONTLINE Minnesota Poll shows Minneapolis voters have mixed opinions about Mayor Jacob Frey and the city council weeks before a key election.

Empty vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11

Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11. The vaccine maker said Monday it plans to seek authorization for this age group soon in the U.S., Britain and Europe — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.

St. Sahag Armenian Festival in St. Paul

Photos: Celebrating Armenian traditions and faith in St. Paul

The St. Sahag Armenian Church community in St. Paul gathered over the weekend to celebrate their Armenian heritage and faith — and to share those traditions with their friends and neighbors.

A view of a crowded city council chambers.

Racially motivated crime raises questions in Cold Spring

A July crash that was allegedly intentional is the only bias-linked crime reported by Cold Spring police this year, according to records provided to the St. Cloud Times. Property damage on May 4 and May 10 allegedly involving the same suspect and the same family were not reported to the BCA.

11 wounded in seven weekend shootings in Minneapolis

Minneapolis police said at least 11 people were wounded in seven separate shootings in the city from early Saturday through early Sunday.

People embrace outside a high school.

Police: 2 wounded in shooting at Virginia high school

Police say a boy was shot in the face at Heritage High School and a girl was shot in the leg. Both 17-year-olds were taken to the hospital and neither injury was thought to be life-threatening.

A man behind a window.

$64 million in COVID-19 grants available for Minnesota small businesses

More than $64 million is available in grants for small businesses in the state hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses have through Sept. 29 to apply.

Airline passengers wearing masks wait to check in

U.S. easing foreign travel restrictions; vaccinations required

Foreign citizens will be allowed into the country by plane if they have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test.

"Noah's Violin", a giant floating violin by Venetian sculptor Livio De Marchi, journeyed through Venice's Grand Canal on Saturday. De Marchi, who has sent many wooden works into the water, came up with the idea during last year's pandemic lockdown.

Watch a massive violin transport musicians down Venice's Grand Canal

The wooden vessel is called "Noah's Violin." As it floated through Venice's Grand Canal on Saturday, members of the string quartet on board serenaded viewers with their own (real) instruments.

Russia University Shooting

Shooting at Russian university leaves 6 dead, 28 hurt

A student opened fire at a university in Russia, leaving six people dead and 28 hurt, before being shot in a crossfire with police and detained. Beyond saying that he was a student, authorities offered no further information on his identity or a possible motive.

United Nations General Assembly

UN to world leaders: To curtail warming, you must do more

Pressure keeps building on increasingly anxious world leaders to ratchet up efforts to fight climate change. There's more of it coming this week in one of the highest-profile forums of all — the United Nations.

One thorny issue facing President Biden at the U.N.: the defense deal he announced with Australia and the United Kingdom, which left France so angry that it pulled its ambassador from Washington.

Biden says 'America's back.' The world has some questions

President Joe Biden gives his first address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. He may find some skepticism for his pitch to work together on COVID-19 and climate after some recent decisions.

According to the State Department, 14 au pair agencies operate in the U.S. These private companies are required to offer the child care workers who contract with them basic health coverage. But the plans often amount to emergency or travel insurance — not the kind of full coverage ACA health plans offer.

The Affordable Care Act can help au pairs avoid medical debt

Child care workers from outside the U.S. often buy health coverage through an agency. But those policies can have big gaps, critics warn. ACA plans are comprehensive and, with subsidies, can be cheap.

Jason Sudeikis of Ted Lasso had a good night on Sunday, winning for both his lead performance and the show overall.

Five takeaways from a big Emmy night for a short list of shows

“The Crown,” “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “The Queen's Gambit” all did well on Sunday night. But the Emmys also laid bare the problems with production and representation that plague nearly every awards season.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has promised to pursue alternative paths to include immigration reform in a budget bill after the chamber's parliamentarian ruled against his party's effort.

In a blow to Democrats, Senate official blocks immigration reform in budget bill

The Senate parliamentarian said including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants was beyond the scope of the process Democrats are using to pass key legislation without GOP votes.

The USS Missouri, pictured in Hawaii earlier this month, is one of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered submarines. The U.S., U.K. and Australia signed into a partnership last week that will provide Australia with eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Why a submarine deal has France at odds with the U.S., U.K. and Australia

Australia brokered a deal estimated at $66 billion with France in 2016 for a new fleet of submarines. But Australia has canceled the contract and will get nuclear subs from the U.S. and U.K. instead.

A kicker misses a game-winning field goal

Vikings miss last-second field goal, lose to Cardinals 34-33

The Vikings looked as if they were about to win before Joseph's last-second miss. He made two 52-yard field goals earlier in the game, giving no indication he'd have trouble pushing Minnesota to a victory.