MPR News

Joyous Bellephant some last-minute instruction

Rochester cops put in the hours with teen learner drivers

For many teens, learning to drive is a rite of passage that opens doors — doors to new jobs, a more independent social life. But it can also be expensive and time consuming. That's why Rochester Public Schools launched a new program that makes it easier for kids from all financial backgrounds to get their license. And the police are helping.

A person casts his voting ballot

Post-election hand counts find no issues with Minn. ballot-counting machines

County election officials say they think the audit should show the accuracy of the vote-tabulating machines, but they doubt it will satisfy critics who want to return to hand-counting all ballots.

Volleyballs sit in a bin in front of a volleyball team in a gym.

MSHSL set to serve up boys volleyball as school sport option

The board of the Minnesota State High School League last week approved boys volleyball as an emerging sport for next year, and recommended it be fully sanctioned in two years.

Historic books line the shelves of the James J. Hill Center in St. Paul.

What are the most-checked-out books at Minnesota libraries? See the list

MPR News asked libraries across the state what their most popular adult and children’s books were, and the answers may surprise you. While some Minnesotans are focused on the practical, checking out driver’s manuals or dog training guides, Duluthians are reading about themselves.

Minnesota Purdue Basketball

Edey's 31 points, 22 boards lead No. 5 Purdue past Minnesota

Zach Edey set career highs with 31 points and 22 rebounds, powering No. 5 Purdue past Minnesota 89-70 in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Employees of the Minnesota Zoo play with dolphins

Dolphins on display at Minnesota Zoo for first time in a decade

Dolphins can be seen at the Minnesota Zoo for the next seven months while their home habitat in Illinois is being renovated.

A man fills a test tube with a sample of water.

Flu shot uptake low in Minnesota; COVID levels up in Twin Cities region

Minnesota’s overall COVID-19 situation remains relatively stable, but the latest data on metro wastewater and ICU admissions may mean those who are more vulnerable should take extra precautions.

Two hockey players congratulate each other.

Wild beat Stars 6-5 in shootout after blowing 4-goal lead

Mats Zuccarello, Kirill Kaprizov and Frederick Gaudreau scored on Minnesota’s three shootout attempts and the Wild beat the Dallas Stars 6-5 on Sunday after blowing a four-goal lead in the third period.

The U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court hears clash between LGBTQ and business owners' rights

The case involves a Colorado web designer who says state law prevents her from designing wedding website because she believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Teonna Woolford, 31, in Owings Mills, Maryland on November 4, 2022. Woolford has sickle cell disease and has been unable to afford fertility preservation for years.

For patients with sickle cell disease, fertility care is about reproductive justice

The disease, which predominantly affects patients of color, can damage the body in ways that can make it difficult to have a child. But patients don't always have access to fertility care.

Numerous failed rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa have decimated crops and livestock, leading to a crisis of hunger.

The world's response to hunger crisis in East Africa is inadequate, say aid workers

A crisis of extreme hunger is threating millions in East Africa. However, international aid has not been able to meet the need.

Hospital staff take care of orphaned children at the children's regional hospital maternity ward in Kherson, southern Ukraine, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Throughout the war in Ukraine, Russian authorities have been accused of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-held territories to raise them as their own.

Ukrainians say they hid orphaned children from Russian deportation

The staff at the children's regional hospital in Kherson city, Ukraine, say they began fabricating orphans' medical records to make it appear like they were too ill to move.

Bob McGrath, is seen at the 2010 AFTRA AMEE Awards at The Plaza Hotel in 2010 in New York City.

Bob McGrath, longtime star of 'Sesame Street,' has died at 90

McGrath, who starred as "Bob Johnson" on the beloved children's program, died on Sunday after complications from a stroke, according to his family.

Lachlan Murdoch is set to be deposed in the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News

Dominion to depose Fox boss Lachlan Murdoch as defamation suit heats up

Lachlan Murdoch, head of Fox News' parent company, is scheduled to be deposed Monday in Dominion's $1.6 billion lawsuit against the company.

Jets Vikings Football

Vikings hang on, again, for 27-22 victory over White, Jets

Justin Jefferson’s touchdown catch with 8:33 left gave the Minnesota Vikings enough of a lead to hang on for a 27-22 victory despite a relentless rally by the New York Jets.

Big Ten Championship Football

Playoff field set: Georgia vs. Ohio State; Michigan vs. TCU

Georgia, Michigan, TCU and Ohio State have made the College Football Playoff, giving the Big Ten multiple programs in the four-team field for the first time. The defending national champion and top-ranked Bulldogs and fourth-seeded Buckeyes will meet Dec. 31 at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

The Kennedy Center honorees pose for a photograph.

George Clooney, Gladys Knight among Kennedy Center honorees

Performers such as Gladys Knight or the Irish band U2 usually would be headlining a concert for thousands. But this Sunday the tables will be turned as they and other artists will be the ones celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors.

OTC Hearing Aids

FDA change ushers in cheaper, easier-to-get hearing aids

It's now a lot easier and cheaper for Americans to get hearing aids. The government recently began allowing the sale of hearing aids without a prescription.

A basketball player attempts to block another player's shot.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder post physical win over T-Wolves

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points in his return to action and the Oklahoma City Thunder took advantage of Rudy Gobert’s early ejection to post a chippy 135-128 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A house burns after a Russian attack in Kherson, Ukraine, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

The war in Ukraine is set to slow this winter, according to U.S. intelligence

The head of U.S. intelligence says fighting in Russia's war in Ukraine is running at a "reduced tempo" and suggests Ukrainian forces could have brighter prospects in coming months.