Stories from May 15, 2023

Minnesota nurses and Mayo Clinic are headed for a showdown at the Capitol and legalized marijuana regulations are getting their final polish ahead of a full approval expected this week in St. Paul. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Two plead guilty in February attack on transgender woman
Two men who pleaded guilty to attacking a transgender woman at a Minneapolis light rail station are expected to receive four-month jail sentences. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said there was no evidence to indicate that anti-trans bias motivated the men.
Gift of the fungi: Mushroom hunters embrace Minnesota's woodsy bounty
“Finding that little gem in the woods is always really fun,” Minnesota mushroom hunter Ariel Bonkoski told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Monday as they talked wild mushrooms, recipes and the rising interest in fungi foraging.
Negotiators settle on Minnesota marijuana taxes, possession limits
Members of a conference committee working on a bill to legalize marijuana have reached agreement on some key issues and are expected to settle on a final version of the legislation as early as Tuesday.
Wildfire smoke aloft over parts of Minnesota
Canadian wildfires are pumping out smoke. Smoke layers are drifting over Minnesota.
Do 'red flag' laws really work to prevent gun violence? An expert weighs in
At the Minnesota Capitol on Monday, the Minnesota House votes on a huge public safety bill. A conference committee added a provision that some call a ‘red flag’ bill to allow law enforcement to temporarily take guns from persons believed to be a risk to themselves or to others.
Photos: Black Fashion Week's first Minnesota Met Gala
The Minnesota Met Gala, organized by Black Fashion Week, showcased local talent and designs, aiming to establish an annual event resembling the iconic Met Gala in New York City.
3M fires company executive for inappropriate conduct weeks after promotion
3M has fired prominent company executive Michael Vale due to “inappropriate personal conduct and violation of company policy,” the maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics announced on Monday.
When is the peak of hail season in Minnesota?
Following another week of consistent warm temperatures, an MPR News listener wanted to know when the peak of the hail season in Minnesota begins. The answer? Soon.
Almost all Minnesota workers may get paid time off for family and medical leave 
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talked with a reporter and two experts about how the proposed state-run insurance program would work and how it could affect small businesses.
Elevated fire danger for northern Minnesota, rising rivers south
After a soggy weekend, rivers are rising again south. Northern Minnesota will see an elevated fire risk Monday with warm, dry, breezy conditions. Highs will be well into the 70s with sunshine through Wednesday.
Congress wants to regulate AI, but it has a lot of catching up to do
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is trying to lead an effort to craft groundbreaking legislation to install safeguards around artificial intelligence. But lawmakers have a lot to learn.
Floodwaters are rising again in southern Minnesota with heavy rains, closing roads over the weekend, and Minnesota’s nurses union and Mayo Clinic are headed for a showdown at the Capitol. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Sunny, warm stretch of days; next rain chance late week
After a soggy weekend for southern Minnesota, we’re in for a few dry days with lots of sun. Highs will be in the 70s to near 80 for northwest Minnesota Monday with clouds lingering far south, keeping temps in the upper 60s there.
'Yellowface' takes white privilege to a sinister level
R.F. Kuang's first foray outside fantasy is a well-executed, gripping, fast-paced novel about the nuances of the publishing world when an author is desperate enough to do anything for success.
As Erdogan's votes dip, Turkey appears headed to a runoff presidential race
Turkey’s presidential elections appear to be heading toward a second-round runoff. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled his country for 20 years, is leading his chief challenger but is short of the votes needed for an outright reelection. 
3 generations of trans Americans reflect on what has (and hasn't) changed
Trans people in the U.S. have gained more rights in recent years, yet in many states those same rights are under attack. Now they are grappling with their newfound visibility – and vulnerability.
Hospitals create police forces to stem growing violence against staff
Georgia is the latest state to enact a law that allows hospitals to create independent police forces. Critics worry the law enforcement focus could have unintended consequences.
What you need to know about the debt ceiling as the deadline looms
What is the debt ceiling? What could happen if it's not raised? Here are answers to questions you may be asking about the debt limit and the fight over it.
As DFL drives final pieces of agenda, business interests object
As the DFL majority at the Minnesota Capitol passes the final pieces of its agenda, some business groups and health organizations are pushing back.
1 year later: Buffalo honors the Tops supermarket shooting victims
On May 14, 2022, a white supremacist attacked the Jefferson Street Tops supermarket in East Buffalo, a predominantly Black neighborhood, killing 10 people and injuring three.