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Stories from April 21, 2023

Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now

Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now

The Supreme Court on Friday preserved women's access to a drug used in the most common method of abortion, rejecting lower-court restrictions while a lawsuit continues.
by The Associated Press

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Visitation, funeral set for Minnesota deputy

Visitation and funeral services for Pope County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Owen take place this evening and Saturday morning. Owen was fatally shot last Saturday while responding to a domestic violence call in Cyrus, Minn. This is an MPR News evening update for April 21, 2023, hosted by Matt Sepic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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U.S. says it 'infiltrated' the Sinaloa drug cartel in the fight against fentanyl

U.S. says it 'infiltrated' the Sinaloa drug cartel in the fight against fentanyl

In sweeping indictments, the Justice Department targeted two dozen operatives in the Chapitos network of the Sinaloa cartel. But many drug policy experts say this won't slow fentanyl deaths.
by Brian Mann

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Walz family could move into U president’s house instead of suburb

Walz family could move into U president’s house instead of suburb

Temporary housing plans for Gov. Tim Walz and his family during a Governor’s Residence renovation are shifting. The state is ready to sign a lease with the University of Minnesota for use of Eastcliff – at a fraction of the price of a Sunfish Lake house that was originally to serve as a temporary home for the first family.
by Brian Bakst

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Chilly weekend; Update on our rising river levels

Chilly weekend; Update on our rising river levels

Some of us will see flakes at times Friday night and early Saturday. We have an update on that, plus when you can expect milder temps to return. We also have an update on rising river levels.
by Ron Trenda

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This year's Eid al-Fitr arrives with several firsts

This year's Eid al-Fitr arrives with several firsts

Today marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr for many Minnesotans. And this year, there were some notable differences. Many school districts gave students the day off for the first time, while a special service was offered for new arrivals from Afghanistan.
by Tom Crann and Ngoc Bui

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Riverside residents watch, wait for floodwaters to recede

Riverside residents watch, wait for floodwaters to recede

For most Minnesotans, spring flooding doesn’t directly affect their lives. Levees and other flood protection measures have drastically reduced the damage and disruption. But for others, when the water gets as high as it has this year, it forces them to change the way they live.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Record Store Day 2023 events in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota

Record Store Day 2023 events in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota

Record Store Day’s vinyl exclusives routinely get all the headlines, but the day is truly about celebrating — and preserving — our beloved local record shops while bringing together the community of dedicated music fans who support them.

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Minnesota Senate passes transgender protections, abortion 'refuge' bills

Minnesota Senate passes transgender protections, abortion 'refuge' bills

As states around the country have banned or limited access to abortion and gender-affirming care for transgender people, Minnesota Democrats said the state should become a “refuge” for people traveling here for care and providers who treat them. They also voted to ban what's called conversion therapy for youth and vulnerable adults.
by Dana Ferguson

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Encore presentation: Science journalist Ed Yong on how animals sense the world

Encore presentation: Science journalist Ed Yong on how animals sense the world

Animal Month on Big Books and Bold Ideas wouldn’t be complete without an encore presentation of a conversation host Kerri Miller had last year with award-winning science journalist Ed Yong. His book, “An Immense World,” looks at how different animals see the world, based on their unique sensory abilities.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Snow and rain conclude a week of already heavy precipitation

Snow and rain conclude a week of already heavy precipitation

With recent floods across the state and rain topping off the week, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer catches up with retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley to discuss the wet weather and what lies ahead.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Cold, breezy with scattered snow and rain showers Friday

Cold, breezy with scattered snow and rain showers Friday

Snow and rain showers will continue to rotate around a slow moving low across northern Minnesota. Temperatures will remain cold in the 30s and low 40s with blustery northwest winds at 10-20 mph. The chill persists into the weekend.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Understanding police mental health following traumatic incidents

Understanding police mental health following traumatic incidents

When an officer is injured or killed in the line of duty, it can have a large effect on others in law enforcement that is not immediately evident. The recent death of Pope County Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen has prompted this discussion.
by Cathy Wurzer, Ellen Finn and Lukas Levin

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Recent rain pushing back river flood crests in Minnesota

Recent rain pushing back river flood crests in Minnesota

The National Weather Service says the heavy rain that's fallen over the past few days across southern and central Minnesota is not helping problems with flooding.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Think you're tired? This animal goes for months with only two hours of sleep a day

Think you're tired? This animal goes for months with only two hours of sleep a day

Scientists have learned that northern elephant seals — massive creatures found along the Pacific Coast of North America — cobble together a couple hours of sleep using underwater power naps.
by Ari Daniel

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Loons fall from the sky in Wisconsin; late April cold snap to blame

Loons fall from the sky in Wisconsin; late April cold snap to blame

A mix of cold air and moisture in the Upper Midwest is causing ice to form on the wings of some loons in flight, leading to crash landings known as “loon fallout.” While it hasn’t been reported in Minnesota, conditions for the state bird could be treacherous this weekend.
by Matt Mikus and Sven Sundgaard

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University of Minnesota hopes to have interim president as soon as next month

The University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents homed in on a process for naming an interim president for the university. This is an MPR News morning updated, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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Minnesota could soon join these other states in protecting transgender care this year

Minnesota could soon join these other states in protecting transgender care this year

In 2023, a record number of states have passed rules or legislation to eliminate youth gender-affirming care, but a record number of states have also moved to protect care for trans youth and adults.
by Dana Ferguson (NPR), Scott Maucione, Bente Birkeland, Rick Pluta, Colin Jackson and Acacia Squires

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Arts Briefs: Printmaking guru bids adieu

Arts Briefs: Printmaking guru bids adieu

In this week’s arts briefs: Cole Rogers retires from Highpoint Center; Candy Box Dance Festival; Black millionaire, arts patron, died; Minnesota author publishes new fantasy novel, Record Store Day; virtual meeting for artists with disabilities: Absolute Bleeding Edge: breathing through a saxophone.
by Jacob Aloi, Alex V. Cipolle, Max Sparber and Sarah Thamer

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This family moved to Minnesota to access gender-affirming care. More might soon

This family moved to Minnesota to access gender-affirming care. More might soon

Wes Samuelson and his 11-year-old child Liz moved to Duluth from Wyoming in 2020 after they could not get access to gender-affirming care. “The reality is trans health care saves lives,” Samuelson said.
by Nina Moini

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The Prairie Chicken Society: Celebrating and protecting a prairie icon

The Prairie Chicken Society: Celebrating and protecting a prairie icon

The Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society celebrates 50 years of working to protect the iconic prairie species. Once abundant, the prairie chicken is now mostly found in a small area of western Minnesota.
by Dan Gunderson

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