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Stories from May 23, 2019

Flame retardant ban becomes state law

Flame retardant ban becomes state law

It bans the manufacture and sale of mattresses, children's products, upholstered furniture and residential textiles, such as window coverings, that contain certain flame retardants.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Trade impasse: Trump pledges $16B to farmers; markets slump

Trade impasse: Trump pledges $16B to farmers; markets slump

Trump rolled out another $16 billion in aid for farmers hurt by his trade policies, and financial markets shook Thursday on the growing realization that the U.S. and China are far from settling a bitter, year-long trade dispute.
by Associated Press

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Energy negotiations unravel at the Capitol, leaving little accomplished

Energy negotiations unravel at the Capitol, leaving little accomplished

The House wanted a 100 percent clean energy mandate. The Senate wanted tougher penalties for protesters who tamper with oil pipelines. In the end, there was barely more than a stakeholder group and an energy storage study.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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MN woman charged in Florida killing now charged in husband's death

MN woman charged in Florida killing now charged in husband's death

Lois Riess, already in jail in Florida awaiting trial for allegedly murdering a woman who resembled her as she fled from authorities, has been charged with killing her husband in Blooming Prairie, Minn.
by Nina Moini

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Minneapolis moving to address student homelessness

The Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative in Minneapolis is underway, trying to help students avoid homelessness, which can be a serious detriment to academic performance.
by Martin Moylan

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To reduce food waste, FDA urges 'best if used by' date labels

Confusion over whether a food is still safe to eat after its "sell by" or "use before" date accounts for about 20 percent of food waste in U.S. homes, the FDA says. The new wording aims to clear that up.
by Allison Aubrey

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Senate passes disaster aid package as Trump pivots to support it

Senate passes disaster aid package as Trump pivots to support it

The deal does not include any funding for any border-related programs, which had been sought by the White House. But Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said President Trump would sign the legislation.
by Tim Mak and Kelsey Snell

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As budget details emerge, so do complaints

As budget details emerge, so do complaints

Grumbling over what's part of a two-year budget agreement -- and what isn't -- has picked up at the State Capitol.
by Brian Bakst

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Deal or no deal? What survived the 2019 session -- and what didn't

Deal or no deal? What survived the 2019 session -- and what didn't

The Legislature debated a lot of issues during its five-month regular session. Now that lawmakers are headed into overtime to finish their work, here are some of the items that made the cut and some that didn't.
by Briana Bierschbach

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Climate change risk showing up in real estate

The concept is pretty simple: Rising seas higher storm surges, and unprecedented flooding adds up to more risk for trillions of dollars of real estate.
by Paul Huttner

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Lizzo on feminism, self-love and bringing 'hallelujah moments' to stage

Lizzo on feminism, self-love and bringing 'hallelujah moments' to stage

The flute-playing pop star celebrates self-acceptance on her latest album, Cuz I Love You. "About 10 years ago, I made the decision that I just wanted to be happy with my body," she says.
by Terry Gross

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Despite solid votes for insulin help, it falls out of final budget deal

Despite solid votes for insulin help, it falls out of final budget deal

A provision to make insulin available to people who can't afford it was nixed in closed-door negotiations on the health and human services budget. Each side blamed the other for its failure to make it into a final bill.
by Briana Bierschbach

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The Improvised Life: Sam Miltich takes his message of jazz and mental health across Minn.

The Improvised Life: Sam Miltich takes his message of jazz and mental health across Minn.

Fifteen years ago, Sam Miltich was a teenager on top of the world. He taught himself how to play jazz guitar growing up in the woods outside Grand Rapids. And he got so good that at 18 he played in Europe and New York. Then, four years later, something happened that made it hard for Miltich to comprehend living, much less making a living playing jazz.
by Dan Kraker

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The Who's rock opera 'Tommy' turns 50

It was the first album by a major artist to be marketed as a "rock opera."
by Cathy Wurzer

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Boys Totem Town in St. Paul to close

The facility houses young people who have committed crimes, but placements there have declined in recent years.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Ruszczyk's 911 call audio: Deep breath, worried voice

Ruszczyk's 911 call audio: Deep breath, worried voice

The audio recording of Justine Ruszczyk's 911 calls were released to the public Thursday. For most people, it's the first time they will hear Ruszczyk's voice before her fatal encounter with then-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor.
by Laura Yuen

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Photos: MN Zoo offering llamas unleashed (and leashed, if you want)

Photos: MN Zoo offering llamas unleashed (and leashed, if you want)

No, the llamas are not in red pajamas. But you can see them in a new exhibit highlighting native South American animals beginning Saturday through Labor Day weekend. It also features guinea pigs and large flightless birds called rheas.
by Christine T. Nguyen

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Five years after plane crash, a family retraces their son’s steps in Minnesota

It was five years ago when Alexander Voigt's adventure to Minnesota as a German exchange student ended when the plane in which he was a passenger crashed into a house in Sauk Rapids. Last week, his family made another pilgrimage to the state, to try to retrace the last month of Alexander's life.
by Bob Collins

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Sources: Pentagon proposing troop buildup in the Mideast

The Pentagon on Thursday will present plans to the White House to send up to 10,000 more troops to the Middle East, in a move to beef up defenses against potential Iranian threats, U.S. officials said.
by The Associated Press

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On museum tour, students find racism

Who's going to believe a bunch of children of color that they ran into racism while visiting one of the nation's great museums?
by Bob Collins

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Art Hounds: It's all real, it's all fake

Art Hounds: It's all real, it's all fake

Art Hounds recommend a dance concert on authenticity, a musical performance in a museum and some freshly made theater.
by Marianne Combs and Isabel Saavedra-Weis

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Still no special session, but more details of budget bills emerge

Still no special session, but more details of budget bills emerge

Gov. Tim Walz has not said when he will call lawmakers back to St. Paul to finish their work, but the public got its first look at some of what the governor and legislative leaders will accept in budget bills when the special session does start.
by Tim Pugmire

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A civilized approach to mental illness pays off in Duluth

Duluth police have had 31 percent fewer mental health-related calls, a confirmation that a more civilized approach to dealing with mental illness is working and deserves expansion throughout the state.
by Bob Collins

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Call it racism

It's 2019 and if high school students in Chaska are still dabbling in blackface, Chaska has some racist students.
by Bob Collins

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Wash your hands, people

Wash your hands, people

Some foodborne illness can be prevented by following simple tips.
by Manda Lillie and Angela Davis

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Daily Digest: No special session yet

A sampling of Minnesota political stories to get your Thursday started.
by Mike Mulcahy

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What’s on MPR News – 5/23/19

What’s on MPR News – 5/23/19

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you'll hear today on MPR News.
by Bob Collins

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Presidential Ideas Festival: America's role in the world

Presidential Ideas Festival: America's role in the world

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright from the Bill Clinton administration and former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley from the George W. Bush administration discussed America's role in the world.
by MPR News Staff

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Rivers rising in waterlogged central U.S.; more rain to come

Rivers rising in waterlogged central U.S.; more rain to come

Waterlogged parts of the central U.S. braced Wednesday for more rain, following days of severe storms that have battered Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and caused at least three deaths.
by Associated Press

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Governor signs bill to fight opioid epidemic

Governor signs bill to fight opioid epidemic

Walz says the compromise bill "will help more families access the treatment they need and prevent addiction in the first place."
by Associated Press

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