Stories from April 26, 2022

Embattled lawmaker disputes police account of his intervention in daughter's traffic stop and experts say early education took a significant blow in Minnesota during the pandemic. This is an evening news update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota's first Black-owned bank opens in Minneapolis
Detroit-based First Independence Bank opened the doors of its first expansion outside of Michigan, in a former Wells Fargo Bank branch near Highway 280 and University Avenue. It is being celebrated as the first time in Minnesota history a bank has had Black ownership.
When doctors dismiss concerns of women and people of color, what can we do about it?
Women and people of color are more likely to have their symptoms dismissed by health care providers, according to multiple studies. On Wednesday, guest host Chris Farrell spoke with medical experts about why it happens and how to respond.
Putin gets what he didn’t want: Ukraine army closer to West
The longer Ukraine’s army fends off the invading Russians, the more it absorbs the advantages of Western weaponry and training — exactly the transformation President Vladimir Putin wanted to prevent by invading in the first place.
From the archives: Theologian Jemar Tisby on how the American church should grapple with racism
Theologian Christena Cleveland’s new book, “God is a Black Woman,” explores how the Black, sacred feminine transformed her faith. A conversation about her pilgrimage is coming up on Friday. To whet your appetite, we’ve pulled a discussion MPR News host Kerri Miller had with Jemar Tisby in 2021. They talked about white American Christians’ complicity in racism.
Minnesota’s preschool spending fell during pandemic
The state was able to maintain enrollment during the first full year of the pandemic, but its spending to support pre-k programs has fallen for the first time in a decade.
Gradual clearing Tuesday; more rain Thursday
A cold start with gradual clearing Tuesday will yield a warmer afternoon, although still below the normal highs in the 50s and low 60s. Clouds increase again Wednesday.
Some sun returns Tuesday; soggy end to the week
After a cold morning, some sunshine will warm Tuesday afternoon temperatures 5 to 10 degrees more than Monday along with lighter winds. Clouds increase again Wednesday.
A businessman who was one of the early investors in a failed professional football league called the Alliance of American Football has pleaded guilty to charges accusing him in $600 million cryptocurrency scheme.
North Dakota lawmaker quits after child porn suspect texts
North Dakota’s longest-serving state senator says he'll resign following a report that he had traded scores of text messages with a man jailed on child pornography charges. 
DFLers are pushing big pandemic spending in the MInnesota legislature's end game and the state’s largest solar power facility may be headed to Becker to replace a long-running coal fired plant. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Will the Supreme Court be as deferential to Biden on immigration as it was to Trump?
The court is weighing whether the Biden administration must continue to enforce the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" program, which keeps some asylum-seekers in Mexico while they await a U.S. hearing.
Coal capital Becker could be home to state’s largest solar project
Xcel Energy is proposing a 460-megawatt solar project to replace some of the electricity produced by the Sherco coal plant, which will shut down by 2030.