Stories from October 15, 2025

Minnesota's hotels, entertainment, restaurants seeing lower profits, new survey suggests
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis released the results of a new survey of Minnesota's Tourism and Hospitality sector. The results show profits were down for more than half of the businesses surveyed.
Highs in the 70s return Thursday and Friday in the south
A warm front will push milder temperatures into Minnesota to close the week. The weekend is trending cooler.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota continues growing despite federal turmoil
Alexis Oberdorfer, the organization’s senior vice president of services, joined MPR News’ Emily Bright on Morning Edition to share more about serving Minnesotans in uncertain times.
Gov. Tim Walz says Minnesota is starting to feel the impacts of the federal government shutdown. A northern Minnesota tribe is suing 3M over pollution from "forever chemicals." And wildland firefighting crews continue working to fully contain the Crosby Fire burning in a remote part of a state park on the North Shore.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe sues 3M, other companies over 'forever chemicals' contamination
The lawsuit says the band's testing found "alarming" levels of PFAS in lake water, fish and deer on the Leech Lake Reservation. Tribal members depend on hunting, fishing and cultivating wild rice for food, and for cultural and religious practices.
Government shutdown brings back memories for Minnesotan at center of 1995 shutdown
Annette Meeks, who was deputy chief of staff for Republican U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich during the 21-day shutdown in 1995, spoke about government shutdowns with MPR News guest host Emily Bright on Morning Edition.
First soaking rain in over 3 weeks for southern Minnesota
Our latest weather system brought the first significant rain in over 3 weeks to much of southern Minnesota. Little rain fell in the droughty north.
With no special session in sight, some Minnesota mayors ask lawmakers to let them restrict guns
Rochester mayor and former DFL state Rep. Kim Norton has joined several mayors in calling on the Legislature to repeal a law that blocks local governments from passing gun regulations.
A slice of Lemmon in the evening sky
With its closest approach to Earth on Oct. 21, Comet Lemmon is now making a brief appearance. Its next visit won’t be for over a thousand years.
Morning Announcements for Oct. 15
These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, Oct. 15. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Minnesota's Dallas Goldtooth pivots from comedy to action in 'The Last Frontier'
Goldtooth is known for his comedic roles in “Reservation Dogs” and “Rutherford Falls.” In his newest role, he plays the character Hutch, a U.S. Marshal tasked with protecting his community in Fairbanks, Alaska after prisoner transport plane crash.
In rural America, scarce doctors battle misinformation as they practice medicine
Conspiracy theories about health fill a vacuum created by the lack of doctors in many rural communities. Meanwhile, doctors in these areas say patients have become increasingly distrustful and sometimes hostile.
What to know about the GLP-1 weight loss drugs
Now that millions of people have taken weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, what have we learned? MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about the benefits, side effects and high cost of the popular GLP-1 drugs.      
Stars 3-0 in coach Glen Gulutzan’s return after 5-2 win over Wild in home opener
Wyatt Johnston scored on a power play to extend his season-opening goal streak to three games, Jake Oettinger stopped 39 shots and the Dallas Stars won their home opener 5-2 over the Minnesota Wild.
News organizations, including Hegseth’s former employer Fox, reject new Pentagon reporting rules
Fox News, the former employer of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has joined a near-unanimous outpouring of news organizations rejecting new rules for journalists based in the Pentagon. 
Thousands of federal employees are getting laid off. Will a judge intervene?
Unions representing federal employees have asked a federal judge in San Francisco to halt the Trump administration’s latest round of layoffs, which are coming amid the government shutdown.
City leaders from across the state are calling on the Legislature to repeal a law that prohibits cities from enacting their own gun regulations. Mayors from Rochester, Hopkins, St. Paul and others say they are prevented by the law from enacting city ordinances that ban public possession of assault weapons and prohibit guns in public spaces.
Lingering clouds Wednesday, then warmer and more showers Thursday
After a few morning showers, clouds will mostly linger across southern Minnesota Wednesday. Thursday will bring warmer temperatures, but also the chance at more showers. 
Dispute over green cemetery heads to court amid growing interest in natural burials
Neighbors to the 20-acre rural site have raised concerns about water quality and animals digging up the bodies. The proposed developers say opposition is based on fears that are unfounded and say they haven’t been treated fairly.
Report: Minnesota saw strong growth in clean energy jobs last year, but slowdown expected
The latest report from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota estimates the number of clean energy jobs in the state grew to almost 64,000 in 2024 — although federal policy shifts could mean a slowdown is ahead. 
Grand Portage Band launches first Indigenous-led coast guard on Lake Superior
The Grand Portage Band has launched the nation’s first Indigenous-led coast guard on Lake Superior, providing critical search and rescue coverage along Minnesota’s North Shore.