Stories from August 3, 2022

Chicago-area July 4 parade attack suspect pleads not guilty
Robert E. Crimo III appeared for a brief hearing Wednesday in Lake County's circuit court to enter a formal plea to the charges — 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery representing those killed and wounded during the parade in Highland Park.
Soaking rain potential this weekend?
A few forecast models suggest there could be some soaking rains for parts of Minnesota this weekend.
DFL incumbent Walz and Republican challenger Jensen meet for first gubernatorial debate, and experts think major petroleum spill was diesel fuel from northeast Minneapolis. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Indiana Rep. Walorski, 2 staffers killed in head-on crash
The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. when a car crossed the center line on state highway and collided head-on with the SUV Walorski was riding in, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office said. Three people in the SUV, including Walorski, 58, were killed, as was a woman driving the other car, authorities said.
Alexander becomes Minneapolis’ first community safety commissioner
As commissioner of the newly created position, Cedric Alexander oversees the city’s police, fire, 911, emergency response and violence prevention efforts.
Investigators probe for source of petroleum discharge into Mpls. sewers
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety says test results indicate the substance was most likely diesel fuel. Investigators say they’re talking with local industrial companies with large petroleum storage tanks in the region.
Más que un juego: Una empresa de Minneapolis se esfuerza por crear herramientas de aprendizaje en línea culturalmente precisas
Con sede en Minneapolis, la empresa crea videojuegos educativos. Al principio se centró en las matemáticas. Ahora los temas incluyen ciencias, artes del lenguaje e historia. Pero lo que hace diferente a 7 Generation Games es que trabajan para asegurarse de que los juegos sean lo más culturalmente precisos posible. También tienen juegos bilingües: en inglés, español, lakota y dakota.
El amor en una mazorca: El ritual de los tamales convierte a los amigos en familia
Durante siglos, la comida y la alimentación han ayudado a conectar vidas y culturas. Como parte del proyecto North Star Journey, MPR News se puso en contacto con la escritora gastronómica de las Ciudades Gemelas, Mecca Bos, para que compartiera algunas historias sobre platos culturales emblemáticos y sobre cómo los rituales de elaboración y consumo de alimentos pueden unir a las personas.
Appetites: Beth Dooley's light meals for hot days
Stock up on fresh vegetables and cook up grains and beans to have on hand for quick, satisfying salads, like Beth Dooley’s “Chickpea and Farro Salad.”
Opening showdown gets pointed between Walz, Jensen
Billed as an opening conversation with the leading candidates for Minnesota governor, a forum Wednesday produced sharp exchanges throughout — about COVID-19, farm policy and the general role of government.
Alex Jones concedes Sandy Hook attack was '100% real'
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones says he now understands it was irresponsible of him to declare the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre a hoax and that he now believes it was “100% real.”
Minnesota nurses vote 'no confidence' in health care execs
Unionized nurses at seven Minnesota hospitals are issuing votes of no confidence in their hospital leadership. No confidence votes were taken at several heath care providers including Fairview Health Services, Children’s Minnesota, North Memorial Health and St. Luke’s Duluth.
Tuesday’s shootings included one at a busy downtown transit station during the evening rush hour. They were the 53rd and 54th homicides investigated by Minneapolis police in 2022.
Monkeypox is here. What questions do you have?
As of Tuesday, there are 38 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Minnesota. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two doctors about monkeypox, how it’s spread, who is most at risk and how to prevent it.
Meet the Candidate: Saraswati Singh runs for Hennepin County Attorney
For the first time in 24 years, voters in Hennepin County are voting for a new county attorney. Here, Saraswati Singh speaks with Cathy Wurzer. She is a prosecutor in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
Meet the Candidate: Jarvis Jones runs for Hennepin County Attorney
For the first time in 24 years, voters in Hennepin County are voting for a new county attorney. Here, Jarvis Jones speaks with Cathy Wurzer. Jones is a lawyer who has mostly practiced business law. He lives in suburban Edina, Minnesota.
Everyone who moves through downtown Atlanta today passes places where in 1906, innocent Black men and women were chased and beaten to death by a mob of 10,000 white men. The massacre claimed more than 25 victims and shaped Atlanta's geography and politics in ways that continue today.
Mall of America at 30: A look back
If you’re under a certain age, you may not remember a Minnesota without the Mall of America. But before it opened in 1992, the mall was a long time coming, and its success was far from certain.
Farmfest forums: Candidates for governor
The Farmfest agricultural expo in Redwood County will play host to several forums featuring Election 2022 candidates. On Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., incumbent Gov. Tim Walz and Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen take the stage.
More comfortable air Wednesday, Thursday; Friday reheats
After a steamy and eventually stormy Tuesday, cooler, more comfortable air is moving in Wednesday. Thursday will be beautiful before it heats up again Friday with a decent chance of rain and thunder Saturday.
A fleet of tall-masted ships is set to sail in from Lake Superior to the small town of Two Harbors on Thursday — a change of venue for a festival that typically draws tens of thousands of attendees. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Cooler Wednesday, Thursday; heating back up Friday
Slightly cooler and much drier air is flowing across Minnesota in the wake of a cool front. Temperatures will be back in the 80s with falling dew points. Thursday will be comfortable before Friday heats up again.
Overnight storms knock out power to thousands across Minnesota
Minnesota utilities were reporting about 40,000 homes and businesses without power early Wednesday, in the wake of severe storms that barreled across parts of the state overnight.
Samuel Alito, a workhorse on the Supreme Court, shapes its conservative path
The justice has played a key role on the court, often leading the charge not just on abortion, but for expanded religious rights, against LGBTQ rights, against expanded voting rights, and more
Tall ships — and crowds — set to arrive in Two Harbors this week
Up to 30,000 people are expected in Two Harbors this week, starting Thursday, for the Festival of Sail. The four-day event features replicas of historic sailing ships of yore.
Prairie Island celebrates the first bark lodge in 150 years
Tribal leaders plan to meet at the Prairie Island Indian Community on Aug. 3 for a gathering the likes of which have not been seen in a century and a half. The leaders will meet in a traditional Dakota bark lodge to discuss the lessons learned at Prairie Island through the building of the structure.
Tudor Dixon will face Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan race for governor
Republican Tudor Dixon, who is an abortion rights opponent and is backed by former President Trump, will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the Michigan race for governor in November.