Stories from June 23, 2022

The former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice hired to investigate President Joe Biden's victory in the battleground state testified Thursday that he routinely deleted records, and deactivated a personal email account, even after receiving open records requests.
North Dakota farmland purchase tied to Gates stirs emotion
The sale of a couple thousand acres of prime North Dakota farmland to a group tied to Bill Gates has stirred emotions over a Depression-era law meant to protect family farms and raised questions about whether the billionaire shares the state’s values.
Fed study says copper nickel mining can't be done safely near the Boundary Waters. Also Minnesota bids to be among the first presidential primary states. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
DOJ officials pushed back on Trump's baseless election fraud claims
About a week before the Jan. 6 attack, there was an "escalation" of then-President Donald Trump's demands about election fraud allegations, a former acting deputy attorney general testified.
Jensen seeks tax cuts to help Minnesota cope with inflation
Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen called Thursday for tax cuts and a clampdown on government spending and regulations to help Minnesotans cope with the highest inflation rate in 40 years.
DNR releases draft wolf management plan
The Minnesota DNR released a draft wolf management plan that calls for maintaining a statewide population of between 2,200 and 3,000 wolves. It does not take a position on a wolf hunting season.
1/6 panel hears of Trump's pressure on Justice Department
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection heard from former Justice Department officials who faced down a relentless pressure campaign from then-President Donald Trump over the 2020 election results.
Federal review says copper-nickel mining poses an environmental risk to BWCA
The Superior National Forest has released a draft environmental study on a proposed 20-year moratorium on new copper mines over a 350-square mile area in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee is holding a rally in support of an inmate at the Shakopee women’s prison, who they say was sexually assaulted by a corrections officer in the prison. The group has a list of demands to keep the prison safe for incarcerated people.
PFAS 'forever chemicals' are everywhere. Here's what you should know about them
PFAS are all around us, so how do we navigate a world filled with harmful chemicals? We speak to an expert who guides us through what PFAS are, why they're a problem, and what can be done about them.
The Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee is holding a rally in support of an inmate at the Shakopee women’s prison, who they say was sexually assaulted by a corrections officer in the prison. The group has a list of demands to keep prison safe for incarcerated people.
Wally Longfellow is the founder of Minnesota Score magazine and the cohost of “Ten-thousand Takes” sports talk show. Eric Nelson is the other host of “Ten-thousand Takes” and he is also the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio “Eye on Football.”
Biden administration moves to expand Title IX protections regarding sexual misconduct
The administration proposed a dramatic overhaul of campus sexual assault rules, acting to expand protections for LGBTQ students, and widen colleges' responsibilities in addressing sexual misconduct.
St. Paul poet wins 2022 International Griffin Poetry Prize
Douglas Kearney is a St. Paul poet and a University of Minnesota professor. He is the winner of the 2022 International Griffin Poetry Prize and $65,000 for his most recent poetry collection, “Sho.”
WELY was slated to shut down on June 1, but there are efforts in Ely to save its beloved community radio station. Roger Skraba is the mayor of Ely and one of the people working to keep WELY alive. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to share some of the latest updates on his efforts.
Would closing the 'boyfriend loophole' in gun legislation save lives? Here's what the research says
A bipartisan gun safety bill is limited in scope, but among the provisions is a proposal to close the so-called “boyfriend loophole” which allows some people with a record of domestic violence to still buy firearms.
FDA bans Juul e-cigarettes tied to teen vaping surge
Health officials have ordered vaping company Juul to pull its electronic cigarettes from the U.S. market. It's the biggest blow yet to the embattled company that is widely blamed for sparking a surge in teen vaping.
Supreme Court expands gun rights, with nation divided
The Supreme Court said Thursday that Americans have a right to carry guns in public, a major expansion of gun rights. The court struck down a New York gun law in a ruling expected to directly impact half a dozen other populous states.
Hot, muggy with some storms; heat breaks late Saturday
Temperatures, dew points and thunderstorm chances will all rise over the next 24 hours. Western and southern Minnesota will see 90 degrees again Thursday with isolated thunderstorms.
Fewer Americans file for jobless aid
Fewer Americans applied for jobless benefits last week as the U.S. job market remains robust despite myriad economic pressures, including four-decade high inflation. 
Minnesota Democrats want to leap toward the front of the pack in choosing future presidential nominees. State DFL Party leaders are in Washington to make a pitch Thursday to be an early primary state for 2024 and beyond. If successful and if Republicans also align their calendar, the state could become a magnet for White House hopefuls. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Wisconsin's Johnson under heat for fake elector revelation
Evidence revealed at the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection shows that an aide for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson told former Vice President Mike Pence’s staff that the Republican from Wisconsin wanted to hand-deliver fake elector votes from Wisconsin and Michigan.
Heating up Thursday with spotty storm chances ahead
A comfortable early morning will lead quickly to a hot afternoon across much of Minnesota as 90s return to many places. Dew points will also be increasing and we have some spotty storm chances Thursday night into Saturday.
Guardians score 4 in 9th to rally past Twins 11-10
Oscar Gonzalez tied the game with a two-run single and scored on Owen Miller’s go-ahead sacrifice fly as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to stun the Minnesota Twins 11-10.
Art Hounds: Cambodian rock music and bold murals
“Cambodian Rock Band” at the Jungle Theater features classic and new Cambodian music. Chroma Zones’ Summer Mural Meet in St. Paul brings mural and graffiti artists together.
Minnesota makes bid for earlier 2024 presidential primary
National Democrats are considering a shakeup in the states that lead off the White House nominating contest. Minnesota party leaders make their pitch Thursday but would have several hurdles to clear.
Survivors dig by hand after Afghanistan quake killing 1,000
The disaster inflicted by the quake heaps more misery on a country where millions face increasing hunger and poverty and the health system has been crumbling since the Taliban retook power last year.
Feds want 25 years for Chauvin for violating Floyd’s rights
Federal prosecutors asked a judge on Wednesday to sentence a former Minneapolis officer to 25 years for violating the rights of George Floyd, saying Derek Chauvin’s actions were cold-blooded and needless as he knelt on the Black man’s neck while Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe.