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Stories from May 16, 2023

Minnesota-based company will pay $487M to settle kickback, fraud case

Minnesota-based company will pay $487M to settle kickback, fraud case

A federal judge in St. Paul has ordered a medical products company and its owner to pay $487 million to settle allegations that it defrauded Medicare.
by Matt Sepic

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Minnesota Senate and House pass $2.2 billion in new school funding

Minnesota Senate and House pass $2.2 billion in new school funding

Lawmakers in the Minnesota House and Senate voted to increase the amount the state contributes to the general education formula, plus new money for libraries, school support staff, menstrual products in school and changes in reading instruction. 
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Paid sick and safe time sent to Walz for signature

Paid sick and safe time sent to Walz for signature

A paid sick and safe time benefit for Minnesota workers is included in a larger jobs bill passed by the Senate and the House Tuesday. Around 900,000 workers would be covered by the proposal.
by Dana Ferguson

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Author Brian Selznick explores nature's point of view in the 500 pages of 'Big Tree'

Author Brian Selznick explores nature's point of view in the 500 pages of 'Big Tree'

Acclaimed novelist and storyteller Brian Selznick's new project is big — really big. It's a 550 page illustrated novel aimed at children of all ages detailing the life of a massive sycamore tree.
by Euan Kerr

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Lawmakers make marijuana compromise, final legalization vote expected this week

Lawmakers make marijuana compromise, final legalization vote expected this week, and a big boost in funding is headed for Minnesota schools. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Walz signs $240 million lead pipe removal bill 

Walz signs $240 million lead pipe removal bill 

Minnesota lawmakers are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to get lead out of drinking water throughout Minnesota. But Minneapolis, with 47,000 private lead service lines, estimates it will take much more money to take care of all of them.
by Michelle Wiley

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The IRS is building its own online tax filing system. Tax-prep companies aren't happy

The IRS is building its own online tax filing system. Tax-prep companies aren't happy

The IRS is working to develop its own free electronic tax-filing system in a potential challenge to commercial products such as TurboTax. The agency plans a pilot test of the program next year.
by Scott Horsley

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What Turkey's presidential election could mean for the U.S. and Europe

What Turkey's presidential election could mean for the U.S. and Europe

Turkey's presidential election is headed to a runoff on May 28. The outcome, in this key NATO nation, has implications for the West. President Biden has said he hopes “whoever wins wins.”
by Rachel Treisman

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Announcing the winner of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest

Announcing the winner of the 2023 Tiny Desk Contest

Nearly 6,000 independent artists submitted to this year's Tiny Desk Contest. Meet the Utah band that rose to the top.
by Bobby Carter

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Animal Humane Society reopens adoption centers after canine flu outbreak

Animal Humane Society reopens adoption centers after canine flu outbreak

The Animal Humane Society in the Twin Cities is reopening its pet adoption centers in Coon Rapids and Golden Valley for adoptions on Tuesday, after battling an outbreak of canine influenza for more than a month.
by Tim Nelson

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World-class conductor now making beer for a cause

World-class conductor now making beer for a cause

William Eddins’ music career has taken him around the world as an orchestra conductor. Now he hopes to support music education for young people in the Twin Cities with his St. Paul brewery MetroNOME. MPR News guest host Euan Kerr talks with Eddins about music, beer and the brewery’s mission.
by Euan Kerr and Maja Beckstrom

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VanVan, 4, raps about her ABCs and 123s

VanVan, 4, raps about her ABCs and 123s

Meet VanVan, the four-year-old rapper who is giving Nicki Minaj and Doja Cat a run for their money. She's getting millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.
by Mansee Khurana

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Steve Inskeep's advice to UMN Morris grads: 'You're allowed to laugh'

Steve Inskeep's advice to UMN Morris grads: 'You're allowed to laugh'

The journalist spoke at the University of Minnesota Morris commencement over the weekend to remind people to listen, adapt and, notably, tell fart jokes.
by Amy Felegy

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Smoky skies prompt air quality alert; showers late Wednesday into Friday

Smoky skies prompt air quality alert; showers late Wednesday into Friday

Canadian wildfire smoke is filling the skies in Minnesota and creating air quality alerts for central and northern Minnesota. Tuesday will be warm with filtered sun through the smoke. Showers are possible Wednesday night into Friday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Torrential rain sends southern Minnesota rivers rising once again

Torrential rain sends southern Minnesota rivers rising once again

Just when it seemed that spring flooding had finally exited the region, some southern Minnesota rivers are on the rise again in the wake of torrential rain.
by Tim Nelson

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New gun measures headed to Walz’s desk

New gun measures headed to Walz’s desk

The Minnesota House passed a public safety budget bill Monday night that includes a pair of new gun laws and a host of other policy measures. Gov. Tim Walz said he will sign it.
by Dana Ferguson

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Minnesota DFL sets emergency meeting in response to melee at Minneapolis convention

Minnesota DFL sets emergency meeting in response to melee at Minneapolis convention

Minnesota Democratic leaders will convene an emergency meeting Thursday evening to respond to the chaos that broke out during a convention to endorse a candidate for a Minneapolis City Council race.
by The Associated Press

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Dodgers win in 12th on bases-loaded walk, Muncy homers twice to regain major-league lead

Dodgers win in 12th on bases-loaded walk, Muncy homers twice to regain major-league lead

Chris Taylor scored on a bases-loaded walk in the 12th inning, Max Muncy homered twice to move back into the major league lead, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins 9-8 for their sixth straight win.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota legislators add hospital carve-out to nurse staffing bill

The change appears to be aimed at addressing the concerns of Mayo Clinic and other hospitals about committees that would create staffing plans for their nurses, as well as other issues. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

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The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is shrinking

The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is shrinking

The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is on the decline. That's according to a new report from the Public Religion Research Institute.
by Jason DeRose

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