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Stories from July 31, 2019

Our language is evolving, 'Because Internet'

Our language is evolving, 'Because Internet'

Whether you're extremely online or still confused by how a simple period can be interpreted as passive-aggressive, linguist Gretchen McCulloch has a guide to how our on-screen speech is morphing.
by Audie Cornish

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Emerald ash borer discovered in Worthington in SW Minnesota

Emerald ash borer discovered in Worthington in SW Minnesota

Minnesota agriculture officials are placing Nobles County under emergency quarantine after emerald ash borers were discovered in Worthington. It's the first time emerald ash borers have been identified in Nobles County, the Department of Agriculture said.
by The Associated Press

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Live analysis and fact checks: July Democratic debate Night 2

Live analysis and fact checks: July Democratic debate Night 2

Wednesday night's lineup includes a rematch between former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris. Follow NPR's real-time analysis as 10 presidential hopefuls make their case.

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Debate puts Biden's long legislative record in the hot seat

Debate puts Biden's long legislative record in the hot seat

The ideological divisions gripping the Democratic Party intensified on Wednesday as presidential candidates waged an acrimonious battle over health care, immigration and race.
by The Associated Press

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Winona to host 'mini-session' of lawmakers in October

Winona to host 'mini-session' of lawmakers in October

The Minnesota House will convene its first “mini-session” in decades this fall with a series of hearings in Winona and surrounding communities. An agenda is still in the works.
by Brian Bakst

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Towering Broadway director and producer Hal Prince has died

Towering Broadway director and producer Hal Prince has died

Harold Prince, a Broadway director and producer who pushed the boundaries of musical theater with such groundbreaking shows as "The Phantom of the Opera," ''Cabaret," ''Company" and "Sweeney Todd" and won a staggering 21 Tony Awards, has died. Prince was 91.
by The Associated Press

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New law curbs e-cigarette use indoors beginning Aug. 1

New law curbs e-cigarette use indoors beginning Aug. 1

A Minnesota state law banning vaping in most indoor public places takes effect Thursday. Some believe the law will slow an explosion in popularity, others are skeptical.
by Nina Moini

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Fed cuts interest rates for 1st time since 2008

Fed cuts interest rates for 1st time since 2008

The quarter-point cut signals growing concern at the Federal Reserve about a slowdown in the economy amid the trade war with China. The Fed last cut rates in 2008 and raised them as late as December.
by Scott Horsley

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Lawmakers are trying to control the cost of insulin — why our bodies need it

Lawmakers are trying to control the cost of insulin — why our bodies need it

A bipartisan group of lawmakers announced the beginnings of a plan to help Minnesotans who struggle to afford insulin Monday. So, what is it about insulin that makes it so critical?
by Steven John, Dr. Jon Hallberg and Kyle Shiely

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Ready or not, hands-free is here

Ready or not, hands-free is here

Starting Thursday, all cellphone use by motorists has to be hands-free — with exceptions for emergencies. There are still many questions about how the law works, and what you can and can’t do.
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Northern Metal gets extension for departure from Minneapolis location

Northern Metal gets extension for departure from Minneapolis location

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says a controversial metal shredding operation in north Minneapolis won't be closing this week, as expected. Neighbors have organized a rally to demand the company close its operations in their community.
by Kirsti Marohn and MPRNews Staff

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At Burnsville’s Metcalf Middle School, racial slurs poisoned the culture

At Burnsville’s Metcalf Middle School, racial slurs poisoned the culture

John Metcalf Middle School Principal Shannon McParland apologized in December after she was filmed repeating a racial slur at school. But teachers, students and parents say the video seemed to give others license to use the epithet. They say a culture of racism and retaliation, enabled by school leadership, poisoned the school.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Ruling: Former Vikings lineman Noga won't get workers' comp for head injuries

Ruling: Former Vikings lineman Noga won't get workers' comp for head injuries

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Al Noga won’t qualify for workers’ compensation benefits relating long-term health problems caused by playing-days head injuries.
by Brian Bakst

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Video: Biffy, hobbledehoy, cattywumpus! Where did these words come from?

Video: Biffy, hobbledehoy, cattywumpus! Where did these words come from?

It’s not always possible to find the exact origin of our favorite words. History and language can get messy. But discussing their roots and forming hypotheses can be fascinating, and lots of fun! We sat down with etymologist Anatoly Liberman to help shed some light on a few of our favorite words.
by Sara Porter and Jiwon Choi

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No U.S.-China trade deal yet; talks to resume in September

No U.S.-China trade deal yet; talks to resume in September

The White House called the brief talks in Shanghai this week between top U.S. and Chinese officials "constructive" and said negotiations are expected to pick up again in early September.
by Avie Schneider

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Idiosyncratic, dimension-hopping 'Skip' creates its own niche

Idiosyncratic, dimension-hopping 'Skip' creates its own niche

Molly Mendoza's loopy new graphic novel isn't quite a young adult book, or a book for grownups, either. But it is a trippy visual experience, and Mendoza's art is gorgeous even when the story is thin.
by Etelka Lehoczky

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July going out in style; warmer and more humid to begin August

July going out in style; warmer and more humid to begin August

July will end with a very pleasant Wednesday. August will take off with slightly warmer temperatures and more humidity. Look for occasional scattered thunderstorms later in the week.
by Bill Endersen

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Driver dies after fleeing police in Chaska

The Carver County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a driver weaving across the lane on Highway 212 and County Road 51.
by Tim Nelson

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Losing and old faith — and gaining a new one — in 'The Churchgoer'

Losing and old faith — and gaining a new one — in 'The Churchgoer'

Patrick Coleman's novel follows a former pastor, now working as a security guard, who gets caught up in a noirish adventure after one of his coworkers is murdered, but it's much more than a whodunit.
by Ilana Masad

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New California law requires presidential candidates to release tax returns

New California law requires presidential candidates to release tax returns

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that requires presidential candidates to submit tax returns to qualify for the primary ballots. The law is expected to be challenged in court.
by Scott Rodd

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California festival killer's motive still a mystery

California festival killer's motive still a mystery

The 19-year-old gunman who opened fire at a Northern California food festival was "kind of a loner" and much of his life was shrouded in mystery, the FBI said Tuesday as investigators searched for a motive.
by Associated Press

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Republicans face tough vote on budget bill backed by Trump

Republicans face tough vote on budget bill backed by Trump

A hard-won, warts-and-all budget pact between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Trump is facing a key vote in the GOP-held Senate, with many conservatives torn between supporting the president and risking their political brand with an unpopular vote to add $2 trillion or more to the government's credit card.
by Associated Press

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Your guide to Night 2 of the Detroit Democratic presidential debates

Your guide to Night 2 of the Detroit Democratic presidential debates

Former Vice President Joe Biden will again be center stage — and the focus will be on how he handles issues of race and whether he looks like he's ready and able to take on President Trump next year.
by Domenico Montanaro

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Trump team's bid to make hospital costs more transparent is data-heavy

Trump team's bid to make hospital costs more transparent is data-heavy

The administration's rules would require hospitals to provide far more detail about the actual prices they charge insurers for medical care. Would patients welcome the data, or feel overwhelmed?
by Julie Appleby

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Push for a full 2020 count ramps up after census citizenship question fight

Push for a full 2020 count ramps up after census citizenship question fight

Immigrant advocacy groups are trying to encourage noncitizens to take part in the national head count while many remain skeptical after the Trump administration's failed citizenship question push.
by Hansi Lo Wang

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Klobuchar tries to break through during latest Democratic debate

Klobuchar tries to break through during latest Democratic debate

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar tried to grab attention for her moderate proposals as she competed with nine other candidates in CNN’s debate from Detroit Tuesday night.
by Mark Zdechlik

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North Korea conducts second missile test in a week

North Korea conducts second missile test in a week

The latest test of two short-range missiles follows a similar launch last week. It comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he is "hopeful" talks between Washington and Pyongyang will resume soon.
by Scott Neuman

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Fact check: Examining claims from 2020 Democratic debate

Fact check: Examining claims from 2020 Democratic debate

Ten Democratic presidential contenders vied for advantage Tuesday night in the second round of the party's 2020 campaign debates. A look at some of their statements in Detroit and how they compare with the facts.
by The Associated Press

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ACLU: 911 children split at border since 2018 court order

ACLU: 911 children split at border since 2018 court order

More than 900 children, including babies and toddlers, were separated from their parents at the border in the year after a judge ordered the practice be sharply curtailed, the American Civil Liberties Union said Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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Protesters block vehicles at a Fort Snelling federal building housing immigration court

Protesters block vehicles at a Fort Snelling federal building housing immigration court

Several hundred people partially blocked parking lot entrances near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling Tuesday. They were protesting Trump administration policies on immigration.
by MPR News Staff

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