Stories from April 24, 2023

North Dakota governor signs 6-week abortion ban into law
North Dakota's Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed an abortion ban at six weeks of pregnancy — even in cases of rape or incest — into law on Monday.
Minnesota House near passage of marijuana bill; Senate to vote Friday
After a three hour debate late Monday, the Minnesota House is expected to pass a bill Tuesday legalizing marijuana, and the Senate is scheduled to debate its version on Friday. More negotiations are ahead before a final version reaches Gov. Tim Walz.
Monticello says tests show water not affected by nuclear leak
Officials hope to restore public confidence in the city's drinking water, after radioactive tritium leaked from a faulty pipe at the Monticello nuclear plant. The test results showed all samples of the city's water had tritium levels well below federal health limits.
The Minnesota House is set to approve legalizing marijuana, with the Senate to follow soon, and Kimberly Potter has been released from prison after serving 16 months for the shooting death of Daunte Wright. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson.
Jets agree on deal to acquire Aaron Rodgers
After six weeks of waiting, Aaron Rodgers is leaving behind his brilliant legacy in Green Bay and heading to the bright lights — and massive expectations — of the Big Apple.
As lawmakers prepare to debate marijuana legalization, a Minnesota psychiatrist weighs in
The proposal has some medical providers talking about what legalized cannabis use might mean for the health, particularly the mental health, of Minnesotans. Dr. Sheila Specker, a psychiatrist and director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer to talk about some doctors’ concerns and recommendations.
Off-farm landowners share their families' stories of transition
Approximately half of Minnesota’s land area is used for agriculture. A large chunk of the state’s farmland — about 35 percent — is rented from owners who do not farm. We talked farmland transitions and the roles of heirs and renters in Minnesota farm country.
St. Cloud joins Duluth and Brainerd for snowiest season on record
This was one of the snowiest seasons on record for most of Minnesota. We’ve gone from severe drought to major flood stages across most of Minnesota in the past five months.
CNN announces it's parted ways with news anchor Don Lemon
Lemon, a 17-year veteran of the cable network, said he was “stunned” when his agent told him Monday morning that he had been terminated.
Minneapolis Poet Sun Yung Shin on portals, 'Tygers' and the magic of collaboration
Throughout National Poetry Month, we have been talking with poets around the state about their inspirations, past and present. Sun Yung Shin lives in Minneapolis and is nominated for the Minnesota Book Award in two categories – poetry and children’s literature. We talked with Shin about collaboration and the creative process behind her books.
They're strangers with a painful shared bond: Robert E. Lee enslaved their ancestors
The descendants of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and those of the people the Lee family enslaved came together for the first time at Arlington House, the national memorial to Lee in Virginia.
Tucker Carlson, Fox News' most popular host, out at network
Fox News says it has agreed to part ways with Tucker Carlson, less than a week after settling a lawsuit over the network's 2020 election reporting. He’s consistently drawn headlines for controversial coverage, including most recently airing tapes from the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection to minimize the impact of the deadly attack.
Dancing lights: Snapshots of aurora borealis across Minnesota
A strong geomagnetic storm caused a grand display of northern lights in Minnesota Sunday night. We asked to see your photos, and you did not disappoint.
A few days of sunshine before rain, clouds, cool weather return
Northern Minnesota will still see a few flurries and sprinkles Monday. Otherwise look for sun. Temperatures won’t be as cold but will still be below normal. The next storm system will bring showers late Wednesday north and intermittently statewide Thursday into Saturday.
Kimberly Potter was released from prison early this morning after serving 16 months for killing Daunte Wright during a traffic stop two years ago. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Ex-officer who fatally shot Breonna Taylor hired as a deputy
The former Louisville police officer who fatally shot Breonna Taylor has a new job in law enforcement in a county northeast of the city. WHAS-TV reports that the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday confirmed the hiring of Myles Cosgrove. 
Below normal temperatures modify some; more showers by mid to late week
Cooler than normal temperatures will modify this week to near normal by Thursday. The next storm system will be another slow moving area of showers mid to late week bringing with it the return to cooler temperatures.
Stars even series with 3-2 win vs. Wild on Seguin's PP pair
Tyler Seguin scored two power-play goals and Jake Oettinger made 33 saves to help the Dallas Stars bounce back from a lopsided loss and beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in Game 4 to even their first-round NHL playoff series.
Timberwolves survive in overtime, beat Nuggets 114-108
Anthony Edwards scored 34 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 114-108 in overtime in Game 4 to avoid elimination.
Twins top Nationals 3-1 behind Polanco's three hits
Jorge Polanco homered and Bailey Ober pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Washington Nationals 3-1. 
Poll: Two-thirds oppose banning medication abortion
A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds 64 percent oppose laws that ban medication abortion — and confidence in the Supreme Court hits a new low.
Free tuition, school funding at issue as MN lawmakers iron out budget bills
State lawmakers are set to start ironing out differences between House and Senate budget bills. Before work in conference committees begins, here’s a look at some of the potential sticking points.
When a county seizes a home over taxes, who should get to keep the equity?
The U.S. Supreme Court this week hears a property rights case involving a Minnesota woman who had her condominium seized and sold by Hennepin County after she failed to pay her property taxes.
Demand for culturally-aware mental health providers rises in a more diverse Minnesota
Finding proper mental health care can be difficult for many people — especially as the state grapples with a shortage of mental health providers. But as the state becomes more racially and ethnically diverse, finding therapists with cultural awareness is an added challenge for many people of color.