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Stories from June 29, 2021

2nd daily St. Paul-to-Chicago Amtrak train expected in 2024

2nd daily St. Paul-to-Chicago Amtrak train expected in 2024

Minnesota lawmakers set aside $10 million for the project. The money from the state was the final piece needed to jump-start the additional round-trip service to Chicago’s Union Station.
by The Associated Press

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Heat looms as we head toward the weekend

As the isolated showers and storms lingering in eastern Minnesota wind down Tuesday evening, the state heads into a much drier pattern again, and the heat builds back in by late week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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It's gut check time for Minnesota's budget and changes to policing

It's gut check time for Minnesota's budget and changes to policing, as the final, most contentious bills hit the floor at the state capitol. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Gophers football home gets new name: Huntington Bank Stadium

Gophers football home gets new name: Huntington Bank Stadium

The university’s board of regents has approved the change by a 9-2 vote. The 50,000-seat facility opened for the Gophers on campus in 2009 as TCF Bank Stadium. Huntington Bank’s acquisition of the Minnesota-founded TCF Bank was finalized earlier this month.
by The Associated Press

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A brief history of the s'more, America’s favorite campfire snack

A brief history of the s'more, America’s favorite campfire snack

The gooey treat couldn't have become popularized without the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, which brought cheap sweets to the masses.

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Leaders: Minneapolis police field training needs better oversight

Leaders: Minneapolis police field training needs better oversight

A report from the city’s Audit Committee released Monday comes several days after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years for the murder of George Floyd. Chauvin had served as a field training officer for Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng — both of whom face aiding and abetting charges in Floyd’s killing.
by Tim Nelson

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How Spam became one of the most iconic American brands of all time

How Spam became one of the most iconic American brands of all time

Over 80 years ago, Hormel Foods introduced a simple, canned meat product called Spam. It would go on to become one of the greatest marketing success stories of all time.

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An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food

An ode to mac and cheese, the poster child for processed food

A food historian explains how the popular boxed dinner played an important role in kitchen science, wars and women's liberation.

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Every dog has its day, but it’s not the Fourth of July

Every dog has its day, but it’s not the Fourth of July

Millions of Americans love the fireworks on July Fourth, but millions of dogs will tremble in fear. A vet explains the causes and solutions to this doggie dilemma.

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What causes gun violence and how can we stop it? 

What causes gun violence and how can we stop it? 

Gun violence is on the rise in the Twin Cities and across the country. Host Angela Davis talks with a criminologist and the director of the Office of Violence Prevention for the city of Minneapolis about what might be driving the dramatic rise and how to stop it. 
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Too much work or not enough: Minnesota Latinos describe one pandemic but two very different economies

Too much work or not enough: Minnesota Latinos describe one pandemic but two very different economies

For the past year, COVID-19 rattled the job market across Minnesota. Latinos, more than any other racial or ethnic group, remained in the state workforce. But many found themselves on divergent paths. Pandemic shutdowns cost restaurant owners and staff their livelihoods. Meanwhile, construction workers and contractors booked more jobs than they could handle.

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What transitioning taught a transgender pastor about power, sex and patriarchy

What transitioning taught a transgender pastor about power, sex and patriarchy

When Paula Stone Williams announced she was going to transition from being a man to being a woman, her world imploded. She lost her job as a Christian leader, and her family was in turmoil. In her new memoir, she shares what she discovered about herself, what it means to be transgender, and what she learned about the patriarchy as she lives her life as a strong woman.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Biden to visit Florida building collapse on Thursday

Biden to visit Florida building collapse on Thursday

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Surfside, Florida, on Thursday to visit with the families of victims of the collapsed Miami-area condominium tower, according to the White House.
by The Associated Press

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Biden taking bipartisan infrastructure deal on the road

Biden taking bipartisan infrastructure deal on the road

President Joe Biden will look to sell voters on the economic benefits of the $973 billion infrastructure package while in Wisconsin on Tuesday, hoping to boost the bipartisan agreement that is held together in large part by the promise of millions of new jobs.
by The Associated Press

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The history of American Indian boarding schools in Minnesota

The recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves at an Indian residential school in Canada prompted the United States to announce its own investigation into the dark past of federal boarding school policies. Over the next 10 months, the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative will look into the history of the schools in hopes of shedding light on any past traumas. That includes identifying burial sites.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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As the rain moves out, hot and dry weather return

Minnesota’s recent rainier pattern comes to an end, replaced by drier weather that also turns hot by the holiday weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Photos: The State Fair is back this year and so are new fair foods

Photos: The State Fair is back this year and so are new fair foods

A bunless banh mi bowl, a hamburger with a waffle bun and Mexican street corn off-the-cob — say hello to some of the State Fair's newest foods. Warning: Side effects of reading this story may include the sudden desire to snack.
by Nancy Yang

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Democrats say they’ll keep pushing for police changes

Some Democrats at the state Capitol were harshly critical of a public safety budget bill for not including more police accountability measures – but stopped short of saying they would vote against the bill. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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The recent rainier pattern ends Tuesday

The wetter weather Minnesota has seen since the weekend comes to an end Tuesday, replaced by more sunshine and lower humidity.
by Nicole Mitchell

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'Excruciating:' Florida collapse search stretches to Day 6

'Excruciating:' Florida collapse search stretches to Day 6

The slow work of sifting through the remnants of a collapsed Florida condo building stretched into a sixth day Tuesday, as families desperate for progress endured a wrenching wait for answers.
by The Associated Press

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Stuck in a rut? Sometimes joy takes a little practice

Stuck in a rut? Sometimes joy takes a little practice

If you've been feeling blah recently, you're not alone. The good news is you can retrain your brain to feel happier. Here's how to shift your mood and restore your well-being.
by Michaeleen Doucleff

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June 29 update on COVID-19 in MN: No new deaths, cases remain low

June 29 update on COVID-19 in MN: No new deaths, cases remain low

The state reported no deaths and 79 new cases, the third day with average daily cases remaining under 100. Minnesota is winding down its operations at six state-run COVID-19 testing sites as case counts decline.
by MPR News Staff

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Maya Moore to receive Arthur Ashe Award at The ESPYS

Maya Moore to receive Arthur Ashe Award at The ESPYS

Maya Moore stepped away from her basketball career in 2019 to seek justice for Jonathan Irons, who was serving a 50-year prison sentence after being wrongly convicted of burglary and assault. Irons' conviction was overturned last year and he was freed. The couple later married.
by The Associated Press

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Legislature debates public safety, policing

Legislature debates public safety, policing

Minnesota lawmakers began debating a large and controversial public safety bill Tuesday, with just over a day left before the deadline to have a new two-year budget in place. Democrats in both the House and Senate have been unhappy about the bill’s lack of police accountability measures.
by Tim Pugmire

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History Theatre Radio Hour: Hubert Humphrey's contentious relationship with LBJ

History Theatre Radio Hour: Hubert Humphrey's contentious relationship with LBJ

A short radio play by Jeffrey Hatcher called “All the Way with LBJ,” followed by discussion with former Vice President Walter Mondale, former Minnesota Attorney General Hubert “Skip” Humphrey and historian Hy Berman.

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