Stories from May 10, 2023

Former Minneapolis police officer Justin Stetson pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony and gross misdemeanor charges after punching and kicking a man during an arrest in 2020.  This is the evening MPR News update for Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Mixed sun with scattered thunderstorms into Saturday
We’ll see many dry hours, with occasional scattered thunderstorms into the weekend.
N.Y. Rep. George Santos pleads not guilty to federal fraud charges
Federal prosecutors say Santos schemed to defraud campaign donors of their cash when he allegedly used the money to pay for personal expenses, including luxury clothes.
Red flag, expanded gun background checks added to larger public safety bill
DFL lawmakers at the Minnesota Capitol Wednesday added two new gun laws to a public safety budget bill, but said they’re still not sure the measures can pass in the closely divided Senate. 
 Higher education budget bill with tuition break headed to Walz
The Senate and House have both passed final versions of a higher education funding bill that includes no tuition and fees for students whose families earn less than $80,000 per year. 
Heavy thunderstorm potential late Wednesday night
It feels like June out there, and our warmer more humid air mass has the potential to spark some strong storms Wednesday night into Thursday.
Millions of people have long COVID brain fog — and there's a shortage of answers
Psychologist James Jackson says people with long COVID experience impaired brain function and mental health issues. He offers some practical advice and support in his new book, Clearing the Fog.
Minnesota lawmakers are considering billions in transportation funding. What's in it for transit riders?
Move Minnesota Executive Director Sam Rockwell joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the proposed investments in transit systems, bike lanes, safety, and more.
Former MPD officer admits using unnecessary force in 2020 beating of man in custody
Justin Stetson pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony and gross misdemeanor charges after punching and kicking Jaleel Stallings during an arrest in 2020. However, the felony will be dropped if he abides by the terms of the plea agreement.
Highlights from Wellness Wednesday: Looking at hearing loss, tackling addictions
Will direct-to-consumer hearing aids make it easier to address hearing loss? MPR News host Angela Davis shares highlights from two Wellness Wednesday shows, one on hearing loss and another on tackling addictions.
How an APM podcast became part of a national movement to reform reading instruction
The APM podcast “Sold a Story” exposed what went wrong with teaching kids to read. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with APM senior producer Emily Hanford about the attention her work is getting from high places. 
'Big, bold idea': Duluth hopes to heat homes with wastewater energy
Federal funds will help Duluth design a system to use leftover energy from a wastewater treatment plant to heat hundreds of buildings in the burgeoning Lincoln Park neighborhood. One advocate says it could become a national model.
Minnesota Now meteorologist extravaganza!
Weather nerds, this one’s for you. Minnesota Now is dedicating time to all five of MPR’s contributing meteorologists, who have a combined 150 years of forecasting experience. With MPR News host Cathy Wurzer, they looked back at major Minnesota weather events and their favorite parts of meteorology.
Very warm Wednesday with more showers, thunder ahead
Lingering scattered showers and thunder in northern Minnesota will fizzle out by midday. Isolated thunder is possible late Wednesday with a better chance of spotty showers, thunder overnight into early Thursday.
Continued unsettled pattern with increased rain chances the next few days
We remain in an unsettled pattern. Northern Minnesota has the best chance of spotty showers and storms Wednesday while southern Minnesota will see the potential for isolated late day thunder. The chances increase statewide over the next few days.
Remembering America's first social network: the landline telephone
Young tech nerds in Seattle are trying to preserve the mysterious machines — many of them almost lost forever — that made America's landline telephone system work before the age of computers.
Gov. Tim Walz signed the bill establishing Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway on Tuesday at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, where Prince lived, worked and performed on occasion. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Sinkhole tourism? Fountain, Minn., sees an opening
The southeastern Minnesota town has long styled itself as the Sinkhole Capital of the U.S., but the hoped-for economic boost has never materialized. Now, some residents are working to change that.
5 things to know about a major new Pew poll of Asians in the U.S.
The first-of-its-kind poll of about 7,000 adults sheds new light on how Asians — both immigrants as well as those born in the U.S. — see themselves and others.
'They all matter': St. Cloud high school dance team builds connections
Shana Black, coach of the Apollo Majorettes, welcomes all students regardless of experience. Her goal is to create an inclusive, supportive team where all students feel like they belong.
As St. Paul preps new gun security law, mayor’s father's story a cautionary tale
With the St. Paul City Council set to vote next week on a new firearms security ordinance backed by Mayor Melvin Carter, the story of his father’s stolen weapon shows the lingering peril of stolen firearms. 
Tucker Carlson says he'll take his show to Twitter
The fired Fox News host announced he is bringing his show to Twitter, owned by Elon Musk, "soon." His lawyers reportedly have sent threatening letters to Fox to let him out of his contract.
St. Croix deputy's funeral set for Friday in Hudson
The funeral for a St. Croix County Sheriff’s deputy who was fatally shot over the weekend is set for this Friday at Hudson High School. Kaitie Leising, 29, was the fourth law enforcement officer in the region to be killed in the line of duty since April 1.