Stories from April 7, 2023

'A reflection of the Twin Cities': Minnesota fans gather for a season opener win
Kyle Farmer bounced a bases-loaded single straight up the middle of a drawn-in Houston infield in the 10th inning, giving the Minnesota Twins a 3-2 victory over the over the whiff-prone Astros in their home opener Friday.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is defending his decision to ask Gov. Tim Walz to assign his office to the prosecution of two juveniles accused in the death of a Brooklyn Park woman last fall. This is the evening MPR News update for April 7, 2023. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Flood prep in high gear as warm weather is likely to send rivers rising across Minnesota
Warm weather in the weekend forecast is welcome news for many Minnesotans who are weary of the cold, wet spring. But for those who live in flood-prone areas, the quickly melting snow will send rivers rising — and time is running out to prepare.
With the possible exception of the south-central part of the state, all quiet on Minnesota’s COVID front
The daily average of new COVID-19 cases reported dropped below 300 for the first time since July 2021, according to Thursday’s Minnesota Department of Health weekly data release.
Politics Friday: 3 months in, Minnesota’s Attorney General and Secretary of State are busy in their new terms
MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon about the work they’ve done, and their remaining priorities, now that they’ve been reelected.
Nine scenic spots along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border
As we lumber out of winter, make a run for the eastern border. Here is a roundup of public lands for your next adventure.
Hennepin Co. prosecutor Moriarty rips Walz, Ellison for taking over McKeever case
Tensions escalated Friday around the killing of Zaria McKeever as Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty criticized Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for taking the case out of her hands. Moriarty was also confronted by McKeever’s family.
Minnesota reached it’s third-snowiest season, with the Twin Cities hitting nearly 90 inches of snow alone. According to meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley, if the rain we received earlier in the year was actually snow, our snowfall totals could’ve been up to 141 inches.
Erica Berry on what wolves teach us about fear
April is Animal Month on Big Books and Bold Ideas, a series of conversations about our relationship with animals and our shared space in this world. We begin with an animal whose history and presence is entwined with the human psyche — wolves.
Some ‘cautiously hopeful’ state oversight will lead to changes in Minneapolis police
A court-enforceable agreement between the city of Minneapolis and the state requires ambitious changes to how the Minneapolis Police Department functions. But achieving the goals of the agreement is going to require courageous leadership from elected officials and committed engagement from the public.
Rapid warming starts Friday; rivers rising toward flood stage
Our rapid warmup begins Friday with highs reaching 50 in southern Minnesota to the 30s north. A few showers are possible Friday night and Sunday as temperatures warm to the 50s and 60s; 70s to near 80 degrees are possible by midweek next week in southern Minnesota.
St. Paul streets are failing at a faster rate than city maintenance workers can keep up with, city officials said as they announced the official opening Thursday of its asphalt plant. And they warned the long-awaited repairs will take longer. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Warmup begins Friday; few shower chances this weekend
Say goodbye to the cold temperatures. Friday begins the warming trend with highs near 50 in southern Minnesota. We’ll have partly cloudy skies with a few overnight showers possible. Next week brings highs in the 60s and 70s.
Gophers score 4 goals in 3rd, advance past BU in Frozen Four
Freshman Luke Mittelstadt scored two third-period goals in two-and-a-half minutes and top-ranked Minnesota beat Boston University 6-2 in the opening game of the NCAA Frozen Four.
Maple syrup producers go with climate fluctuations flow
Climate fluctuations can mean different seasons for maple syrup producers — and they’re adapting.
Arts briefs: Native art, Minnesota independent films, Palestinian performance and more
This week, “American Masters” features artist Jonathan Thunder; Pavek Museum in St. Louis Park announces inductees into its Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Hyperpop artist Alice Longyu Gao and much more.
Minnesota moose count falls in latest survey; DNR says trend stable
This year's count was estimated at about 3,300 moose in the northeastern part of the state. That's a steep drop from last year's count of 4,700. Officials, though, say the herd has stabilized around 3,700 over the past decade after falling dramatically from about 8,000 in 2009.