Stories from October 20, 2022

Minneapolis City Council declines pausing homeless encampment evictions
In the wake of two police clearings of homeless encampments in the past month that led some homeless people to pitch tents outside City Hall in protest, the Minneapolis City Council on Thursday declined to take concrete action on the clearings.
Minneapolis City Council OK's new executive mayor government
The government restructure approved by the Minneapolis City Council Thursday codifies the new Office of Community Safety, including police, fire and other public safety functions.
Minnesota's job machine keeps churning along, now for 12 months straight. Also, St. Paul’s officials turn back an appeal to enforce a 3 percent rent cap. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
 Minnesota winter outlook: Will La Niña or climate change rule?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration winter outlook released Thursday favors cold along with equal chances for above or below-average snowfall.
The Pentagon will pay for service members to travel for abortions
The new policy and others come from a new memo from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin aimed at addressing concerns of service members about abortion access after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The U.K. will have 5 prime ministers in just 6 years. What's gone wrong?
With yet another prime minister's resignation, the British government's 10 Downing Street looks like a revolving door. Analysts blame polarization, populism, a flawed system and poor leadership.
Don't leaf us this way: Most of Minnesota 'past peak' for fall colors
As the temperatures drop, so do the leaves across the state. Most of Minnesota is “past peak” for fall colors while the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and Rochester are at 75 to 100 of their full peak.
Murder charges detail horrifying assault and death of Maplewood toddler
A 26-year-old Maplewood man was charged with second degree murder Thursday after prosecutors say his girlfriend’s daughter was burned, beaten, sexually assaulted and eventually killed.
At Minnesota Capitol, goat caucus meets for lunch, fights invaders
Herd on the street: Goats and sheep are the go-to species helping Minnesota root out invasive plants. Their joint appearance Thursday outside the Capitol shows good things happen when different groups come together and keep their heads down to achieve a common goal.
In first test, St. Paul’s housing rent control has limited impact
The St. Paul City Council has turned back challenges to housing rental increases above a three percent limit set by voters last fall — allowing hikes more than double that to move forward.
Jensen goes from maverick lawmaker to GOP standard bearer
Dr. Scott Jensen, the Republican nominee for Minnesota governor, has had a rapid rise from Capitol newcomer to statewide candidate. And sometimes he’s been hard to pin down on issues. 
Guía del votante: Vea las posturas de los candidatos del 5º Distrito sobre la reforma policial, la atención médica y más
Minnesota tiene ocho escaños en la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, y todos ellos se someten a elecciones este otoño. En el quinto distrito del Congreso, la representante demócrata Ilhan Omar se enfrenta a la nueva opción republicana Cicely Davis.
 Guía del votante: Vea las posturas de los candidatos a Secretario de Estado de Minnesota sobre las elecciones
El actual secretario de Estado de Minnesota es Steve Simon, un demócrata que fue elegido para el cargo en 2014 y antes de eso sirvió en la Cámara de Representantes de Minnesota. Su contrincante es Kim Crockett, republicana y abogada que nunca ha ocupado un puesto público.
Guía del votante: Conozca las posturas de los candidatos del 8º Distrito sobre la minería de hierro, las armas y más
Minnesota tiene ocho escaños en la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, y todos ellos están en juego este otoño. En el Octavo Distrito, el diputado republicano Pete Stauber se enfrenta a la diputada estatal del DFL Jen Schultz.
Weekend weather: Unusually warm; rain, thunderstorms possible late Sunday
This weekend will be unusually warm and it’ll be breezy too, especially on Sunday. We could see some rain and hear some thunder late in the weekend. We have details on that, plus an updated fall color map for leaf-peepers.
Book by mom of six puts onus on men to stop unwanted pregnancies
In her new book, writer — and mother of six — Gabrielle Blair makes the case that the abortion debate should focus much more on men's roles in unintended pregnancy.
Ballot Box 101: How to get first-time voters to the polls 
How do you motivate people who have never voted before to show up at the polls? For this special In Focus discussion, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Secretary of State Steve Simon and two young organizers working to inform and encourage new voters to participate in democracy.
UK's Truss quits after turmoil obliterated her authority
British Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned — bowing to the inevitable after a tumultuous six-week term in which her policies triggered turmoil in financial markets and a rebellion in her party obliterated her authority.
Although all 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature are on the ballot this year, only some are truly competitive. Many of those are in second-ring suburbs and outlying regional centers. This an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Trending warmer through Sunday
Warming temperatures through the weekend. Much colder next week.
Maryland to audit autopsies overseen by Chauvin trial witness
Maryland will review about 100 autopsies of people who died in police custody involving physical restraint because of concerns about the state's former medical examiner's testimony in the death of George Floyd, the state’s attorney general said Wednesday.
Minnesota group fights attempts to make voting harder
Outside the Ramsey County Courthouse, more than 30 people chanted “Democracy!” and held signs that read, “We Choose Us.” It's the name of a voting rights advocacy organization that seeks to fight attempts to make voting more difficult in counties across Minnesota.
Gobert thrives in T-wolves debut to lead 115-108 win vs. OKC
Rudy Gobert had 23 points and 16 rebounds in his Minnesota debut as the Timberwolves recovered to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-108 in the season opener.
Campaign for control of Legislature plays out in suburbs
Although all 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature are on the ballot this year, only some are truly competitive. And many of those are in second-ring suburbs and outlying regional centers. 
Art Hounds: Donut look away from a Halloween season fest
The Twin Cities Horror Festival serves up 11 new shows devoted to the horror genre to get you ready for Halloween. Minnesota Bach Ensemble launches its 10th-anniversary season with a collection of baroque classics in Minneapolis. Locally produced podcast “This Queer Book Saved My Life” enters its second season.