Stories from November 5, 2025

5 things to know about Kaohly Her, St. Paul’s mayor-elect
Kaohly Her, 52, has been a state House member representing part of St. Paul since 2019. She is an immigrant and refugee who was born in a bamboo hut in the mountains of Laos.
Saturday clipper brings rain and snow chances
Minnesota’s weather pattern is turning more wintry as we move through this week into the upcoming weekend.
Cities should be able to make gun laws, says lawmaker who helped change Colorado law
Under state law, Minnesota cities can’t regulate guns. St. Paul city leaders are introducing an assault weapon ban anyway. In Colorado, cities can now make gun laws after a statewide preemption law was overturned.
Shout-out for yodeling? Swiss seek recognition from UN cultural agency as tradition turns modern
The Swiss government is looking for a shout-out from the U.N. cultural agency to include yodeling on its list of intangible cultural heritage. Promoters insist the yodeling of yore is too stereotyped and the tradition is far more than mountain cries by falsetto-crying male herders in suspenders on verdant Alpine pastures.
Minnesota Legislature’s revolving door keeps turning as Senate is full but House seats open
Tuesday’s election filled two Minnesota Senate seats but left two House seats open as lawmakers move to other offices. The temporary composition could doom a special session on gun restrictions.
Lawsuit alleges Hermantown kept public in dark over data center proposal
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and a grassroots group called "Stop the Hermantown Data Center" filed the lawsuit. It alleges the city's review didn't describe the proposal as a data center, and failed to provide details about the project's potential environmental impacts.
Minnesotans backed more than half of school finance requests
More than 60 percent of the school districts asking voters to approve funding questions got support on election night. Districts requesting help with day-to-day operating costs and smaller capital projects were more likely to see approvals.
Actor, singer Santino Fontana reflects on Minnesota years as his new movie hits screens
Before he was Prince Hans in "Frozen," Santino Fontana performed at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. He stars alongside Martin Sheen in "Lost and Found in Cleveland," opening in theaters Friday.
Mild for now but trending wintry this weekend
November has opened on mild notes but much colder weather and a chance of snow is on the way this weekend.
Frey wins third term as Minneapolis mayor, says it will be his last
“Whether you voted for me or not, whether you like me or not, we have an opportunity right now to put aside differences and do what is right for Minneapolis,” Jacob Frey said Wednesday following his victory.
Kaohly Her, first woman and Hmong St. Paul mayor-elect, shares plans for office
Minnesota state Rep. Kaohly Her is making history. Her is the first woman and the first Hmong American elected to lead the capital city. She narrowly beat fellow DFLer incumbent two-term Mayor Melvin Carter.
What's going on with health insurance in Minnesota?
Health insurance premiums are rising and government health programs are changing. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with experts about what’s driving up costs, policy changes and what to know during open enrollment.  
High pressure brings abundant sun Wednesday, but big changes ahead
High pressure is building back into Minnesota bringing more sunshine Wednesday. We’ll still be mild, but colder air moves in this weekend along with rain and snow showers. 
Iowa doesn't have enough OB-GYNs. Is the state's abortion ban part of the problem?
Iowa ranks last among states for the number of OB-GYNs per capita. State legislators are trying to recruit more, but some doctors say the state's strict abortion ban is partially to blame.
How an enduring debate over health care sparked a now record-long shutdown
At the heart of the impasse is a debate about expiring subsidies for health insurance. It's the latest chapter in a fight over Obamacare that has dominated Congress since the law was signed in 2010.
Book lovers protest proposed cuts to Bemidji Public Library
The Beltrami County Board has proposed cutting the Bemidji and Blackduck Public Libraries' budgets by roughly 40 percent. Those libraries are part of the Kitchigami Regional Library System.
Homecoming for ‘Purple Rain’ musical as it tests for Broadway success
Forty years after “Purple Rain” made Minneapolis a musical myth, its new stage adaptation returns home — testing whether the story that defined a city can find new life on Broadway.
Her makes history as first woman and Hmong American elected St. Paul mayor 
DFLer Kaohly Her, who worked for Mayor Melvin Carter’s office in his first term, was a late addition to the St. Paul mayor’s race. She beat Carter Tuesday and made history. 
Duluth voters approve ‘Right to Repair’ for tenants, over landlords’ concerns
The ballot initiative allows tenants to make basic repairs and then deduct the cost from their next month’s rent, up to $500 or a half month’s rent, if landlords don’t respond within two weeks.
Live results: Key elections in Minnesota
From Minneapolis and St. Paul mayoral races to special elections for two crucial Minnesota Senate seats, if you’re looking for the results of the 2025 general election, we’ve got them here.
Minnesota voters head to the polls with mayoral candidates and school measures in mind
MPR News fanned out around the Twin Cities metro area to talk to Minnesota voters to hear how they’re approaching the 2025 Election.
'It feels like home': Twins welcome back Derek Shelton, now as team manager
The Minnesota Twins unveiled their new manager Derek Shelton at a press conference Tuesday. Shelton most recently was manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates and said being back with the Twins “feels like home.”
Minnesota elections: Her beats Carter for St. Paul mayor; DFL keeps state Senate control
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter lost his race for a third term to state Rep. Kaohly Her. The DFL held its majority in the Minnesota Senate. Here’s the latest on Tuesday key state elections.