Stories from May 22, 2023

Legislature plans restrictions on electronic pull-tabs
A finish-line addition to this year's tax bill will clamp down on electronic pull-tabs, which have become a cash cow in Minnesota since they were legalized to pay for the Vikings stadium in 2012.
Minnesota Legislature passes $72 billion budget; ends session
Minnesota lawmakers ended their 2023 session before their midnight deadline Monday, after passing a big health and human services budget bill and a capital works construction package. DFLers said they had achieved all their goals for the session. 
Xcel Energy breaks ground on Sherco solar project
The 460-megawatt solar project will be the largest in the Upper Midwest, and is expected to produce electricity to power 100,000 homes. It’s part of Xcel’s plan to expand solar resources to replace power plants that run on fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases.
Democrats at the state Capitol say they are on the verge of passing all their major priorities of the Legislative session. They include abortion rights, gun violence prevention, climate change and protecting democracy. This is an MPR News evening update for May 22, 2023. Hosted by Matt Sepic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott is officially running for president
Scott announced his run Monday morning in North Charleston, S.C. He has been endorsed by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the second ranking Republican in the Senate.
TikTok sues Montana over its new law banning the app
TikTok says Montana does not have the authority to weigh in on national security issues and that the law deprives American TikTok users of their free speech rights.
Smoky skies return this week to Minnesota
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is widespread across the northern United States.
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office had asked for the public’s help Monday morning finding Aryanna Lee Schulz, who was believed to have left her home at about 6 a.m. Sunday. Just before 3 p.m. on Monday, the sheriff’s office said Aryanna was safely located.
Rochester family urges lawmakers to pass MinnesotaCare for undocumented Minnesotans
Members of the Minnesota House and Senate are finalizing differences in two bills that would allow about 40,000 undocumented Minnesotans to access MinnesotaCare state health insurance.
St. Paul school district announces plans for its first East African elementary magnet school
The school will open in fall 2023 at the site of Jackson Elementary, which was closed because of declining district enrollment. For many parents, students and educators in the East African community, the announcement fulfills a long-held aspiration.
Over the weekend, lawmakers passed a transportation funding package that includes an increase in the state's gas tax. That hasn't happened in years. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Gorgeous weekend; More warm temperatures coming
Warm weather built over the weekend and will continue into the work week. A cold front will bring us back to normal midweek.
Biden and McCarthy gear up for the next round of debt ceiling talks
The two leaders are having an in-person meeting Monday after a "productive" phone call on Sunday about the debt ceiling. The U.S. could run out of money to pay its bills as early as June 1.
The latest workers calling for a better quality of life: airline pilots
In ongoing contract negotiations, pilots at major airlines are pushing for changes in scheduling, to allow for more time at home and fewer missed birthdays and other celebrations.
Minnesota Legislature enters final day after taxing weekend
Minnesota lawmakers have one more day to finish their work on a $72 billion two-year budget after passing a transportation bill and a tax bill over the weekend without a single Republican vote.
'This is good food': Reclaiming a classic Nigerian dish in Minnesota
Ask just about anyone to tell their personal story, and it’s likely that food will feature at some point. For Nigerian immigrant Uche Irogbu, fufu was a staple of his childhood, and now its a staple of his identity in the U.S.
With new name in Dakota, St. Paul nonprofit pushes Indigenous renaming forward
Lower Phalen Creek Project is now Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi. The new name means “those who care for Wakaŋ Tipi” in Dakota, referencing a cave currently known as Carver’s Cave but ancestrally called Wakan Tipi.