Stories from May 12, 2023

Ramsey Co. Attorney on his office's progress 'reimagining juvenile justice'
Preliminary findings from a new program in Ramsey County that’s meant to divert youth out of the criminal justice system is showing some positive results. But it’s too early to tell whether it’s keeping youth from committing new crimes.
Fear and confusion, but not chaos, along the southern border after Title 42 ends
The pandemic-era policy nearly halted the processing of asylum applications. As Title 42 was lifted on Thursday, officials braced for an influx of migrants. But the reality was relatively calm.
The merging of marijuana legalization bills has begun at the Minnesota Capitol. This is an evening MPR News update, hosted by Emily Bright. Theme music by Gary Meister.
In J. Ryan Stradal's new book, the Midwest supper club is a character unto itself
“Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club” is a family drama set in and around a supper club in the fictional northern Minnesota town of Bear Jaw. Author J. Ryan Stradal says it’s “the kind of book you can’t take the Minnesota out of in editing.”
MN Senate passes new gun restrictions
The Minnesota Senate passed a public safety bill that contains two gun restrictions Friday night and sent the bill to the House.
Ask a Bookseller: 'Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club'
Amy Erickson of Bluebird Bookshop in Detroit Lakes, Minn., recommended a novel that she called “very much an up-north book.”
Politics Friday: Leaders of the Minnesota House on the work that remains to be done
MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. 
DFLers say they’ll bypass GOP on public works bill
With a little more than a week left in the legislative session, DFLers said they need to move the bill after negotiations with Republicans failed to get their votes.
Supreme Court backs California law for more space for pigs
While Californians consume 13 percent of the pork eaten in the United States, nearly 100 percent of it comes from hogs raised outside the state, including in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina.
Wet on and off through Saturday night; drier, warmer north
We’ll have occasional areas of scattered showers and some thunder through Saturday night, especially for southern and southwestern Minnesota. Heavy rain is possible in parts of southern Minnesota Saturday into Saturday night.
For the first time, EPA to require taconite plants to slash mercury emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new rule that for the first time would require mining companies to limit mercury emissions from Minnesota’s six taconite iron ore processing plants.
The long-awaited fishing opener begins tomorrow. But ice out came late this spring on many northern lakes which could be one reason for slower fishing license sales compared to last year. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Occasional showers and thunder through early Sunday, then clearing
Look for occasional areas of scattered showers and some thunder Friday. We’ll especially see this activity pick up in western and southern Minnesota Friday night into Saturday night. Skies will clear northwest to southeast Sunday.
One way to prevent gun violence? Treat it as a public health issue
Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith has spent decades framing violence as a public health issue. She spoke to Morning Edition about how guns fit into that picture and what prevention would look like.
Esports at University of North Dakota are leveling up
With a new, $1.2 million dedicated space and a growing team, the upcoming season is looking bright.