Stories from October 21, 2022

Minneapolis has agreed to settle lawsuits involving more than a dozen protesters who claimed police officers used excessive force against them.
Deepening Midwest drought expanding rapidly
Severe to extreme drought is expanding through the western and central U.S. A weather system that held the hope for heavy rainfall in Minnesota Sunday night into Monday now appears likely to produce scattered, limited rain.
No sign of fall surge yet in Minnesota, but rising subvariants of global concern
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are trending down in Minnesota, over 14 percent of the state’s children from 6 months to 4 years old have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Community Level” map rates none of the state’s counties as high risk.  
Minneapolis City Council approves $700K in settlements over police actions during protests
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved settlements totaling more than $700,000 in lawsuits filed by more than a dozen protesters, who claimed Minneapolis police officers used excessive force against them.
Eviction 'monsoon' clouds Hennepin County budget talks
The county department that offers free legal services to people facing eviction is asking for a significant budget increase to deal with a huge uptick in eviction filings.
Meet the candidates for Minnesota state auditor
MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with the candidates for Minnesota state auditor, DFLer Julie Blaha and Republican challenger Ryan Wilson.
Jan. 6 panel issues subpoena to Trump, demanding he testify
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents.
'Should I sacrifice my life to live half American?'
Historian Matthew Delmont paints a vivid and painful picture of life for Black Americans during World War II in his new book, “Half American.” Even as Black service members fought to win the war overseas, they couldn’t win the war of equality at home.
Minnesota choir looks toward a 'More Hopeful Tomorrow' in opening concert
The Singers will perform Damien Geter’s “Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow” on Saturday. Originally commissioned by The Washington Chorus in 2020, Geter used a combination of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, spirituals and the words of Walt Whitman to write the piece that reflects on the cataclysmic events of that year.
Weekend weather: Warm temps; shower, thunderstorm chance late Sunday
Weekend high temps will be 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal across most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have details on that, plus who could see some rain and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. We also have the updated fall color report for leaf-peepers.
In the haze of 'Midnights,' Taylor Swift softens into an expanded sound
On Swift's 10th and most challenging album, she and producer Jack Antonoff push her voice in new directions, rethinking the sonic rhetoric of first-person storytelling and shaking off old habits.
Social media platforms brace for midterm elections mayhem
Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Twitter say they're taking steps to prevent the spread of misinformation about voting and elections ahead of next month's midterms. Yet a look at some of the most popular platforms shows baseless claims about election fraud continue to flourish.
Another mild day; Friday evening shower chance NW Minnesota
We’ll be a few degrees warmer Friday, and most areas will be rain-free. We have your Friday weather details plus a fall color update.
The overall percentage of the state considered to be abnormally dry or in drought was relatively unchanged from the previous week, at just under 80 percent. That’s according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update, issued Thursday. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Western wildfires are making far away storms more dangerous
Scientists are finding that Western wildfires can have far-reaching impacts. If they're burning while Central U.S. thunderstorms are forming, the rain and hail can be dramatically more destructive.
Russian threats revive old nuclear fears in central Europe
Fighting around Ukraine’s nuclear power installations and Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons have reawakened nuclear fears in Europe. This is especially felt in countries like Poland and Romania, which border Ukraine and would be particularly vulnerable in case of a radiological disaster.
Kaprizov's OT goal gives Wild 4-3 win over Canucks
Kirill Kaprizov scored in overtime to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 comeback win over the Vancouver Canucks for their first win of the season. Kaprizov scored his fourth of the season and added two assists. 
Historic redevelopers across Minnesota troubled as tax credit ends
As construction continues in Duluth on two projects transforming iconic, historic downtown buildings into badly needed housing, developers worry that the expiration of a state historic tax credit will stall other expensive building renovations across the state.