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Stories from June 17, 2019

Tobacco's 'special friend': What internal documents say about Mitch McConnell

Tobacco's 'special friend': What internal documents say about Mitch McConnell

The Senate majority leader wants to raise the age for tobacco sales to 21. An NPR review of once-secret documents shows how closely McConnell has worked with the industry over decades.
by Tom Dreisbach

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UnitedHealth rejects some demands in mental health coverage lawsuit

UnitedHealth rejects some demands in mental health coverage lawsuit

UnitedHealth Group is rejecting some plaintiffs demands in a class action lawsuit after a judge agreed the company has been too stingy in its coverage of mental health care.
by Alisa Roth

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Police: 4 shot, 2 arrested at Raptors rally in Toronto

Police: 4 shot, 2 arrested at Raptors rally in Toronto

Droves of Raptors fans ran from the shooting in a stampede from the City Hall square, which was packed with tens of thousands of fans. A million or more fans earlier packed downtown Toronto for a parade for the Raptors, raising concerns about safety and overcrowding.
by Associated Press

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Analysts: Fallout from Target tech stumble likely to be brief

Analysts: Fallout from Target tech stumble likely to be brief

Target's operations suffered from a one-two punch of technology difficulties that slowed transactions over the weekend, but analysts say little backlash is likely.
by Elizabeth Dunbar

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Meth in the morning, heroin at night: Inside the seesaw struggle of dual addiction

Meth in the morning, heroin at night: Inside the seesaw struggle of dual addiction

Many users now mix opioids with stimulants such as meth and cocaine. Researchers say efforts to get doctors to reduce opioid prescriptions may have driven some users to buy meth on the street instead.
by April Dembosky

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Replacing plastic: Can bacteria help us break the habit?

Replacing plastic: Can bacteria help us break the habit?

Entrepreneurs are eager to find substitutes for plastic that naturally degrade. One option is a "natural" plastic made by microbes and then eaten by them. But the process is still in the early days.
by Christopher Joyce

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Deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi dies, state TV reports

Deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi dies, state TV reports

The state broadcaster said that the deposed leader requested permission to speak in court, which the judge granted. He reportedly fainted and died during a break in the session.
by Merrit Kennedy

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A clearer map for aging: 'Elderhood' shows how geriatricians can help

A clearer map for aging: 'Elderhood' shows how geriatricians can help

Physician Louise Aronson treats patients who are in their 60s — as well as those who are older than 100. She writes about changing approaches to elder health care in the book, "Elderhood.
by Terry Gross

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Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea this week

Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea this week

The leaders are scheduled to meet on Thursday, according to Chinese and North Korean news agencies. The visit comes after stalled negotiations with President Trump.
by Sasha Ingber

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How accurately do polls predict presidential nominations? Jeff Greenfield on why he's skeptical of early popularity

How accurately do polls predict presidential nominations? Jeff Greenfield on why he's skeptical of early popularity

In a POLITICO article titled, "Why You're Wrong About the Democratic Primary," journalist, Jeff Greenfield, outlines why he doesn't believe in early popularity. MPR News host Kerri Miller explores the predictability of presidential nominations.
by Kerri Miller and Jeffrey Bissoy

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Trump campaign makes first Minnesota campaign hire

Trump campaign makes first Minnesota campaign hire

President Trump's re-election campaign has dispatched a full-time state director to Minnesota, a state on his 2020 target list that he lost in his first bid.
by Brian Bakst

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Walz to undergo knee surgery

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will take over the duties of his office during Walz's surgery and will hold those powers until the governor sends written notice to leaders in the House and Senate. 
by Briana Bierschbach

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'Hunger Games' prequel novel coming in 2020

'Hunger Games' prequel novel coming in 2020

Author Suzanne Collins says that she would go back to the years following the so-called "Dark Days," the failed rebellion in Panem.
by The Associated Press

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Fee on water bills to increase next year

Fee on water bills to increase next year

It's part of an effort to address the rising costs of providing safe drinking water. The fee increase from $6.36 to $9.72 per connection takes effect on Jan. 1.
by Kirsti Marohn

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A year after spinal surgery, a $94,000 bill feels like a backbreaker

A year after spinal surgery, a $94,000 bill feels like a backbreaker

A service called neuromonitoring can cut the risk of nerve damage during delicate surgery. But some patients are receiving large bills they didn't expect.
by Jon Hamilton

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Iran says it will break uranium stockpile limit in 10 days

The spokesperson for the country's atomic agency also warned that Iran could enrich uranium up to 20 percent -- just a step away from weapons-grade levels.
by The Associated Press

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Two U wrestlers suspected of criminal sexual conduct

The Athletics Department says they've been suspended from team activity pending further information. It says federal and state law precludes releasing further details.
by The Associated Press

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As iconic Minneapolis restaurant closes, residents fear what's to come

As iconic Minneapolis restaurant closes, residents fear what's to come

Marla's Caribbean Cuisine served its final dish at its Powderhorn location this weekend. Community members see it as a symbol of increasing gentrification and displacement in many Twin Cities areas.
by Cody Nelson

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U.S. women's soccer team inspiring young fans back home

U.S. women's soccer team inspiring young fans back home

When the Americans took on Chile in the Women's World Cup, youth soccer players in Burnsville discussed strategy and followed their every move. The women's team is providing inspiration that goes beyond the game.
by Marcheta Fornoff

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A comfortable June week, with stormy periods

A comfortable June week, with stormy periods

High temperatures will be mainly in the 70s just about statewide with some northern portions hanging in the 60s for Monday and maybe Tuesday.
by Bill Endersen

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'Patron Saints of Nothing' is a book for 'the hyphenated'

'Patron Saints of Nothing' is a book for 'the hyphenated'

Young adult author Randy Ribay says it's tough having "a dual identity" in a world "where people want you to be one thing." His new novel explores the Philippine government's deadly war on drugs.
by Ashley Westerman and Noel King

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After years of work, northern Minnesota community celebrates restored city hall

After years of work, northern Minnesota community celebrates restored city hall

For more than 80 years, City Hall in Bigfork has been at the heart of that northern Minnesota community. Now, after a brush with possible demolition and years of hard work, the historic structure is restored and ready for the next eight decades.
by Andrew Krueger

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Talking Minnesota high school spring sports

The Minnesota State High School League's John Millea reviews the state track and field meet and looks ahead to the state baseball finals with MPR's Andrew Krueger.
by Andrew Krueger

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Pompeo says 'there's no doubt' Iran attacked 2 tankers

Pompeo says 'there's no doubt' Iran attacked 2 tankers

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo doubled down Sunday on the claim that Iran was responsible for attacks on two tankers traveling in the Strait of Hormuz, despite furnishing no new evidence beyond a video distributed last week by the Pentagon.
by Daniella Cheslow

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