Stories from May 18, 2023

Air quality alert until 6 a.m. Friday
Widespread wildfire smoke has reached ground level across Minnesota.
Historic paid leave measure is poised to recast worker benefits in Minnesota and DFL says they’re prepared to tack on a delivery tax and added gas tax to end-of-session transportation deal. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Disney cancels plans for $1 billion Florida campus
Disney says it's not moving ahead with a planned office park in Orlando because of "new leadership and changing business conditions." Its dispute with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is one of the factors.
Celebrating 25 years of techno parties and raves at Intellephunk
Through trials and tribulations, the Minneapolis promoters celebrate 25 years of dance parties, raves, and the future of the Twin Cities techno community.
It's been a smoky week — what's the forecast ahead for air quality and wildfires?
An early start to wildfire season in Canada is pumping thick smoke plumes over Minnesota this week. So, what’s the outlook for our skies and air quality this summer? And what do we know about climate change and the frequency of wildfire smoke events in Minnesota?
Chauvin appeals conviction in George Floyd's murder to the Minnesota Supreme Court
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is appealing his murder conviction in the killing of George Floyd to the Minnesota Supreme Court. He says the district judge's decision not to move the proceedings out of the city deprived him of a fair trial.
Weekend weather: Very nice; dry with comfortable temperatures
You’re probably going to like the weekend weather forecast. We have details on that, plus the air quality alert that continues this Thursday and Thursday night.
Air quality alerts through early Friday; weekend looks good
Canadian wildfire smoke is prompting more air quality alerts through early Friday. Scattered showers sweep across Minnesota Thursday with cooler conditions Friday. Sunshine and warm, dry weather return for the weekend.
An 8-year-old girl died after being detained by U.S. Border Patrol
The young girl died in U.S. Border Patrol custody after experiencing a "medical emergency," the agency said. The news underscores concern about the safety of migrants with Title 42 no longer in place.
When fufu is a taste of love and a taste of home
For the 14,000 Nigerians who now live in Minnesota fufu is a west African taste of home. Uche Iroegbu who arrived in Minnesota some years ago now fully understands its importance.
5 new fantasy novels invigorate old tropes
Spell books, dragons, mermaids, fairies and a magic circus all take on new life in the pages of these five enchanting tales hitting shelves in May and June.
Modest refunds, EV rebates and climate change funding are part of big state tax deal and officials lay out terms of settlement with e-cigarette maker Juul after trial verdict was averted. This is a morning update from MPR news, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Scattered showers Thursday then cooler Friday; poor air quality for many; beautiful weekend
A clipper system and cold front is bringing scattered showers Thursday. Temperatures will be cooler, especially Friday but sunshine and beautiful weather return for the weekend. Air quality will be diminished Thursday for many areas also.
U.S. metros are growing, many reversing 2021 drops, new estimates show
U.S. metropolitan areas are increasing in population again, growing by almost half a percent last year. Numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau were another sign that flight from urban areas during the first year of the pandemic either slowed down or reversed in its second year. 
Hlongwane, St. Clair lead Minnesota United past Dynamo 1-0
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored 14 minutes into the match and Dayne St. Clair made it stand up to lead Minnesota United to a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Hlongwane’s third goal of the season was unassisted.
Outman hits grand slam to propel Dodgers to 7-3 victory over Twins
James Outman hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for a 7-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. 
Wisconsin tribe to ask court to shut down oil pipeline
Attorneys for a Wisconsin Native American tribe are set to present their arguments that a federal judge should order an energy company to shut down an oil pipeline because rapid erosion could expose it and cause a massive oil spill on reservation land. 
Jill Biden touts efforts to bring better internet to Alaska Native villages
Jill Biden late Wednesday made the first visit by a first lady to the southwest Alaska community of Bethel to tout broadband investments in Alaska Native villages and other tribal organizations through the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure bill.
Minnesota is getting $60.5 million in e-cigarette settlement
Minnesota is getting $60.5 million in its e-cigarette settlement from Juul and Altria. Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison unveiled details of the settlement Wednesday.
State lawmakers agree to 'historic' environment and climate bill
Backers say this is a historic environment, energy and climate budget bill that will make transformative investments to help Minnesota combat climate change and move more aggressively toward a carbon-free economy.
Art Hounds: Mid-century modern weekend
Art Hounds recommend an Art-A-Whirl event, Tammy Ortegon’s fine art retrospective and a group show of North Shore artists.
Love taxidermy, odd art and mad clowns? Check out this circus-like expo
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is bringing about 150 vendors selling gothic and dark-fantasy items, a “mad clown” museum, sideshow acts and a taxidermy class to Minneapolis on Saturday, May 20.
Strip club to neighborhood grocery store: Karen and Nepali Foods opens in St. Paul
A small business owner and his partners have turned a former St. Paul strip club into a neighborhood grocery store. For years, the Lamplighter Lounge was the subject of many police calls for violent shootings — a couple of them fatal.