Stories from June 7, 2022

DFLers in the MN Senate say they want to take action on guns soon, in the wake of the Uvalde massacre. Also, applications for Minnesota’s front line worker bonuses open tomorrow. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Commemorative street sign dedicated to Prince unveiled in downtown Minneapolis
The commemorative street sign was unveiled on Tuesday at the corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street. A crowd decked out in purple pride gathered at noon to celebrate the Minnesota legend just a week after a roughly 100-foot mural unveiling of Prince occurred down the street. 
Jury acquits former Renaissance Festival manager of rape
Prosecutors charged Carr Hagerman with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, alleging that he raped a freelance photographer in a building on the festival’s grounds in Shakopee in late 2017 after luring her to a storage room.
 Senate Democrats call for tighter gun restrictions
DFLers in the Minnesota Senate want gun measures to be on the agenda if there’s a special legislative session, but at least one majority Republican says the laws already on the books need to be enforced.
#SwedenGate sparks food fight: Why some countries share meals more than others
A Reddit user claimed that while visiting a friend's house in Sweden, he had to sit in another room while the family ate dinner. The story ignited a conversation about how the rest of the world eats.
Missing U of M student is found dead in Mississippi River
The body of Abdirahman Abdifatah Ali, a 21-year-old University of Minnesota student who went by the name Abdi, was found in the river on Monday, according to St. Paul police.
Ep. 1: The people left Rondo, but Rondo didn't leave them
St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood still embodies the values of a community torn asunder by the construction of I-94. In this first episode we look at how the Rondo neighborhood keeps going and helped make the city's first Black mayor, Melvin Carter III, who followed the “family business” of community service all the way to City Hall.
After 16 years of applying, Chanhassen meteorologist makes it on 'Jeopardy!'
Eric Ahasic, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, has been trying to get on “Jeopardy!” since he was in high school. He finally made it, appearing on the show for the first time on Monday, and he won.
Dry weather aids ongoing flood fight in northern Minnesota
There's finally a little good news in the fight against rising floodwaters in northern Minnesota along the Canadian border. While Rainy Lake is still rising, recent dry weather has slowed the pace heading toward a forecast peak later this month.
Reliving 150-year-old history a step, and a creak, at a time
A Winnipeg man is fulfilling his quest for adventure by traveling, very slowly, from Winnipeg to St. Paul by oxcart. The journey is about history, adventure and faith.
St. Louis Park will offer more compensation to residents affected by water main breaks
The city of St. Louis Park will offer additional compensation to residents affected by a pair of recent water main breaks. Some property owners had just finished repairs from a May 21 water main break, when their basements were flooded again on June 3.
Wisconsin Supreme Court says COVID records can be released
 A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court says the state health department can release data on coronavirus outbreak cases, information sought two years ago near the beginning of the pandemic.
Talking performing arts with leaders of the Guthrie and the Ordway
After COVID-19 shuttered live performances and left theater seats empty for nearly two years, live theater returned in the Twin Cities in late 2021 and early 2022. But performing arts companies continue to face challenges. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two leaders in Minnesota theater.
From the archives: The science —  and joy  — of sweat
Are you ready to sweat? This conversation from July 2021 will get you in the mood. It will also whet your appetite for this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas show, a “Take it to the Lake” special, where three booksellers recommend the best books for summer reading.
Clouds, showers Tuesday in southern Minnesota; heating up next week
Most showers and isolated thunderstorms will be confined to southern Minnesota Tuesday into Tuesday night. We’ll have more clouds south and temperatures will be a few degrees cooler than Monday. Northern Minnesota will see more sunshine.
Fast food's future? Taco Bell tries high-tech drive-thru in Brooklyn Park
The new two-story, four-lane drive-thru Taco Bell Defy restaurant doesn't have a traditional dining room. Instead, it has a second-floor kitchen and a vertical lift system that will lower orders directly to drivers waiting below.
8 books to celebrate Pride Month
From books about the history of AIDS activism and affecting personal narratives to cozy mysteries and plenty of romance, we've rounded up eight books to help you mark Pride Month.
More than a year in the making, a $500 million bonus program for Minnesota workers who took on tough assignments during COVID-19 is about to go live. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Facing huge inventory, Target cuts vendor orders, prices
Target is canceling orders from its suppliers, particularly in home and clothing, while slashing prices of goods in a bold move to clear out mounds of unwanted inventory ahead of the critical fall and holiday shopping seasons. 
'It means everything': Somali community creates word for autism
The Somali language has a new word to describe autism thanks to the efforts of a group of Minnesota medical professionals, people with autism, and parents. One of those parents is Anisa Hagi-Mohamed, an artist and advocate from St. Cloud who has two children with autism. She joined host Tom Crann to talk about how this came about and why it's needed.
Jan. 6 insurrection hearings: How to watch and what to know
The series of hearings that will take place over the next several weeks begin with a prime-time opener Thursday night in which the nine-member panel plans to give an overview of its 11-month investigation.
Isolated shower Tuesday; better chance Wednesday
Tuesday will see a little less sunshine than Monday but otherwise be fairly similar temperatures with an isolated shower chance. A better chance of scattered rain is possible Tuesday night into Wednesday.
U.S., S. Korea fly 20 fighter jets amid N. Korea tensions
South Korean and U.S. militaries flew 20 fighter jets over waters off South Korea’s western coast Tuesday in a show of force as a senior U.S. official warned of a forceful response if North Korea goes ahead with its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years.
Ober, out: Twins put righty on IL from ravaged rotation
The Minnesota Twins have placed right-hander Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list with a strained right groin in yet another health setback for their rotation.
They thought they bought Obamacare plans. What they got wasn't insurance
Some consumers sign up for Obamacare and find out later they actually purchased a membership to a health care sharing ministry. But regulators and online advertising sites don't do much about it.
State preps for sign-up surge for pandemic bonuses
As an application process for $500 million in pandemic worker bonuses starts, state officials stress that there’s time for those eligible to qualify. Minnesota won’t issue checks on a first-come, first-served basis.
U.S. seeks to seize 2 luxury jets linked to Russian oligarch
The action takes place just days after the United States announced new sanctions and penalties on Russian oligarchs and elites, Kremlin officials, businessmen linked to President Vladimir Putin.
New Yorkers under age 21 will be prohibited from buying semiautomatic rifles under a new law signed Monday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, making the state among the first to enact a major gun control initiative following a wave of deadly mass shootings.