Stories from June 30, 2022

'Lesbian goth foxes,' the story of Esmae and Mala
Mikayla Raines, a founder of SaveAFox Rescue in Faribault, Minn., speaks about the relationship between two female foxes that have captured the attention of social media and are now known as the “lesbian goth foxes” due to their coat and inseparable connection.
Election deniers have taken their fraud theories on tour — to nearly every state
Even as the Jan. 6 hearings play out, election misinformation keeps spreading. NPR tracked four leaders preaching false information about election fraud at hundreds of grassroots events nationwide.
Fire, gas leak fear force evacuations from U Twin Cities buildings; no injuries
A fire and reports of gas leaks forced the evacuation of several buildings Thursday afternoon on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. There were no reports of injuries. University officials reported later Thursday night that the buildings had been reopened.
Thursday afternoon/evening t-storm chance; pleasant Friday
Some of us could see a shower or thunderstorm this afternoon or evening, then we’ll have pleasant Friday weather. We have details on all that, plus a look at the holiday weekend.
In Focus: How housing can shrink the racial wealth gap
The racial homeownership gap in the Twin Cities is one of the highest in the nation, which makes it hard for people of color to build wealth. What can be done to correct the systemic wrongs and set more families on the road to a solid financial future? Listen to this special In Focus conversation, hosted by Angela Davis.
Minnesota Now for June 30, 2022
A new medical study says older adults are getting long COVID at twice the rate of younger people. We'll get the details. And what's being done to address Minnesota's alarming rise in traffic deaths? We’ll find out. We’ll also learn about: how LGBTQ folks face unique challenges when it comes to aging, the future of the ERA and the latest sports news.
Sports with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson June 30, 2022
The Twins' season is looking up, Vikings trainings camps are coming up and Olympian and University of Minnesota wrestler, Gable Steveson, is back on the scene. Cathy Wurzer has her weekly sports update with Wally Longfellow and Eric Nelson. Wally is the founder of Minnesota Score magazine and the cohost of “Ten-thousand Takes” sports talk show. Eric is the other host of “Ten-thousand Takes” and the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio “Eye on Football."
Dangerous driving habits linger after lock-down affecting safety on Minnesota roads
Last year more people died on Minnesota roads than in any of the past 15 years. Mike Hanson, the director of the Office of Traffic Safety, says driving habits during the pandemic became dangerous and it's tough to put that genie back in the bottle. He talks with host Cathy Wurzer about what his office is trying to do to help.
New study says more than 30% of older adults develop long COVID
There is a new study with Minnesota connections that looks at long COVID in older adults and it finds 32 percent of older adults in the United States who survived COVID infections had symptoms of long COVID up to four months after infection. That's double the rate in younger people. Dr. Ken Cohen is co-author of the study and the executive director of translational research for Optum Care, which is based in the Twin Cities. He spoke with Cathy Wurzer about their findings.
The unique challenges LGBTQ folks face when it comes to aging
Years of oppression and misunderstandings in the medical community lead to difficulty for LGBTQ adults. As they age, the problems multiply. What can be done to improve the situation?
Supreme Court to hear case on state authority over elections
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from North Carolina Republicans that could drastically limit state court authority over congressional redistricting, as well as elections for Congress and the presidency.
Supreme Court limits EPA in curbing power plant emissions
In a blow to the fight against climate change, the Supreme Court has limited how the nation’s main anti-air pollution law can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. 
Becoming hot, muggy Thursday; cooler Friday
After some early morning showers and thunder, clearing skies will heat things up. Highs will be near 90 again in the south, but a cool front is sweeping across the state.
Biden: Court ruling on Roe 'destabilizing,' U.S. still leading
President Joe Biden says the Supreme Court’s decision ending a constitutional right to abortion is “destabilizing” and he supports changing Senate rules to codify nationwide abortion protections. Biden spoke Thursday at the end of a NATO summit. 
Minnesotans have had the chance to weigh in on names for state snowplows — twice. Now the Minnesota Department of Transportation is giving the public the chance to pick from among five finalists for the name of a newly designated bike route across the state. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Some morning showers, thunder then hot
Some scattered showers and thunder will move through early Thursday. Skies will clear and temperatures will heat up to near 90 again by afternoon.
Naylor's 2-run HR in 10th gives Guardians 7-6 win over Twins
Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, completing a four-run rally that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as first Black woman on the Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's first Supreme Court pick, will be sworn in as the 116th justice Thursday at 11 a.m. CDT. She will be the first Black woman to serve on the nation's high court.
Art Hounds: Art that asks 'What does it mean to be ladylike?'
The interdisciplinary arts show “La.dy.like” investigates what it means to be femme. Artists muse on the act of walking at an international exhibit tucked in and around the Rochester Art Center. “There’s a Crack in Everything” offers an evening of storytelling and song at Bryant Lake Bowl Theatre in Minneapolis.
Troubling stories surface as U probes its history with Native people
A University of Minnesota panel is broadly reviewing the institution’s treatment of Native people since its 1851 founding. While a report is expected later this summer, researchers and journalists have already uncovered some hard facts.
In the land of zero natural lakes, Rochester has a pool drought
Recent pool closures have left Rochester with a single public swimming pool, leading to squabbles over pool time and space. Local officials and families alike say the city doesn't have enough pools for everyone who wants to swim and that pool access is increasingly becoming a matter of privilege.
Federal prosecutors outline sentencing recommendations for 3 ex-cops in Floyd killing
Federal prosecutors asked a judge Wednesday to sentence one of the four former Minneapolis police officers convicted of civil rights violations in George Floyd's killing to as many as 6 1/2 years in prison — but to impose significantly stiffer yet unspecified sentences on two others.