MPR News

man in blue suit speaks

On the brink of a government shutdown, McCarthy pivots to a 45-day plan relying on Democratic help

The House was preparing for a quick vote Saturday on the plan, but Democrats hit the brakes, seeking time so they could read the 71-page bill. Across the Capitol, the Senate was opening a rare weekend session and hoping to advance its own stopgap plan, but with money for Ukraine.

A black and white photo of a Great Lakes freighter

Relative of man who died on Lake Superior reacts to news of shipwreck's discovery

When MPR News published and broadcast the news Wednesday that the wreck of the freighter Henry Steinbrenner had been found in Lake Superior, it reached the great-niece of a man who died when the ship sank in 1953. “It closes the circle,” she said.

People line up at the start of a race

Twin Cities Marathon organizers urging runners to use caution amid unseasonable warmth

Twin Cities Marathon events this weekend will take place amid heightened concerns about safety because of the unseasonably warm weather in the forecast.

a girl on stage in front of a sign that reads the voice

Minnesota teen impresses music judges on season premiere of NBC's 'The Voice'

Sixteeen-year-old Joslynn Rose of southwestern Minnesota turned the chairs of three out of four of the music-star coaches on the season premiere of NBC’s “The Voice” on Monday.

Cat sits on cat tree

Drinks with a mew: Visit up to 30 cats at new cat cafe in Roseville

The Cafe Meow offers cat-themed coffee and tea drinks, a bookshelf of cat board game and one-on-one time with rescue cats in the cat lounge.

A woman speaks to a crowd

As some Minnesota school resource officers return, letter sparks uncertainty

After several weeks of controversy and legal debate, some Minnesota law enforcement agencies are starting to return their resource officers to schools — but a new interpretation of recent changes to state law could cause further uncertainty.

A kid receives Covid-19 vaccination

The latest on preventing the big three respiratory viruses: COVID, flu and RSV

We’re entering a challenging time of year, when COVID-19, flu and RSV collide. Get the latest information on preventive measures for each, as well as data on how much COVID is circulating in Minnesota.

Roaming wolves

Wisconsin Senate committee votes against confirmation for four DNR policy board appointees

The committee votes come as the board is preparing to approve a new wolf management plan. The plan does not include a hard population cap, despite hunters and farmers' demands for a specific numerical limit.

Baseball player in pinstriped jersey swings bat

Playoff-bound Twins hit 3 homers in 7-6 victory over Rockies

The Twins are locked into the No. 3 seed and will open the best-of-three, wild-card series Tuesday at home against an opponent yet to be determined.

Automatic thermostat

With utility costs on the rise, act now to avoid losing heat, electricity this winter

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, contact your utility to set up a payment plan and apply for energy assistance, a state official urges.

a group of people picking up pinecones

More seed collectors needed to help reforest Minnesota

The volunteer collectors are the primary source of seeds for the DNR tree nursery and fewer people are willing to do the work. Volunteers get paid a fee when they deliver seeds the DNR needs.

Ask a Bookseller Podcast

Ask a Bookseller: 'The Blue Bear'

Tori Weaver of Rainy Retreat Books in Juneau, AK, recommends the memoir "The Blue Bear: A True Story of Friendship and Discovery in the Alaskan Wild," by Lynn Schooler.

A Little Free Library is seen

Iowa book ban prompts disclaimers on Little Free Library exchanges

State restrictions on books that can be made available to Iowa students have prompted some Des Moines-area school districts to post disclaimers on Little Free Libraries.

A sign that says grand canyon closed

Gates will be locked and thousands of rangers furloughed at national parks if government shuts down

Entrances to national parks will be blocked and thousands of park rangers will be furloughed if Congress doesn’t reach a budget agreement this weekend, the Department of Interior said Friday.

What happens to repayment if the government shuts down?

What a shutdown would mean for student loan borrowers

October loan payments will still be due, but an extended shutdown could impact customer service.

A person stands in the water next to a net.

Scientist: 'Forever chemicals' are harming wildlife along with humans

A recently published paper documents the presence of PFAS chemicals in more than 600 species worldwide. In Minnesota, that includes bald eagles and walleye. “Humans have become the canary in the coal mine,” the paper’s lead author tells MPR News.

Tupac Shakur in 1994

Man tied to suspected shooter in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing arrested in Las Vegas, AP sources say

Las Vegas police have made an arrest for the first time in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur.

Sept T ANOM

Hottest September on record for the Twin Cities?

With just a couple days to go, September could finish as the hottest on record for the Twin Cities. Statewide, it is the hottest September, according to climatologist Mark Seeley. This year’s warmth was made much more likely due to climate change.

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California has died. Three people familiar with the situation confirmed her death to The Associated Press on Friday. She was 90.

A father walks with his son in Derna, Libya, with smoke caused by a sanitation truck visible in the background. Concerns are rising about the spread of infectious diseases after fatal floods in Derna earlier this month.

After Libya's catastrophic floods, survivors and recovery teams assess losses

The floods in Derna left thousands dead, missing and displaced. Here are scenes from last week, as search and rescue teams and survivors dug through mud, continuing the work of recovery.

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