Stories from May 23, 2023

Federal judge upholds St. Paul rent control ordinance
A federal judge has upheld St. Paul’s rent control law. Judge Nancy Brasel rejected claims from two apartment building owners who sued to block the ordinance.
Driest Memorial Day weekend in 16 years?
This looks like a rare dry and sunny Memorial Day weekend for most of Minnesota.
Trump instructed to obey court rules ahead of Manhattan criminal trial
At a hearing Tuesday in New York, which former President Donald Trump attended via video conference, Judge Juan Merchan ordered Trump to obey a protective order or face a possible contempt ruling.
While some of the Legislature’s policies garnered blowback from Republicans, DFL House Majority Leader Jamie Long, of Minneapolis, said they were supported by most Minnesotans.  But Republican Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, said Democrats focused too heavily on partisan issues.  This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
Lake Superior: Honoring and protecting Minnesota’s natural wonder
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. MPR News guest host Dan Kraker talks with a scientist, two artists and people who dip into its icy waters about the special relationships Minnesotans have with this natural wonder and how the lake is threatened by climate change.
From birth to death, legacy of racism lays foundation for Black Americans' health disparities
From birth to death, Black Americans fare worse in measures of health compared to their white counterparts. They have higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, higher incidence of asthma during childhood, more difficulty treating mental health as teens, and greater rates of high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses. 
A lifetime of racism makes Alzheimer’s more prevalent in Black Americans
Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s disease. They are less likely to be diagnosed and get treatment. The reasons are many and systemic and can be traced to American health inequities that follow Black people from birth to death.
Rep. Dean Phillips: Sen. Feinstein 'clearly losing mental acuity,' should resign
When Sen. Feinstein returned to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room earlier this month, the 89-year-old got a standing ovation. But Rep. Dean Phillips shared concerns about the Democrat’s physical and mental fitness.
Air quality alert Tuesday afternoon; showers, thunder north; very warm south
An air quality alert is in effect from noon through 8 p.m. Tuesday for central and southern Minnesota. Northern Minnesota should expect scattered showers and thunder. It’ll be warm south.
High blood pressure plagues many Black Americans. Combined with COVID, it's catastrophic
In a nation plagued by high blood pressure, Black people are more likely to suffer from it. And so, in the time of COVID-19, they are more likely than white people to die. It’s a stark reality. And it has played out in thousands of Black households that have lost mothers and fathers over the past three years, a distinct calamity within the many tragedies of the pandemic.
Black kids face racism before they even start school. It's driving a major mental health crisis.
The drivers of the youth mental health crisis for Black children begin early and persist through a lifetime. Black children’s first encounters with racism can start before they are even in school, and Black teenagers report experiencing an average of five instances of racial discrimination per day.
Black children are more likely to have asthma. A lot comes down to where they live
Black children are more likely to have asthma than kids of any other race in America. They’re more likely to live near polluting plants, and in rental housing with mold and other triggers, because of racist housing laws in the nation’s past.
Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy? One reason: Doctors don't take them seriously
Black women in the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. Some doctors don't take their concerns seriously. Black babies are more likely to die, and also far more likely to be born prematurely. 
State lawmakers wrapped up a couple of hours before the midnight adjournment after passing a $72 billion budget and a $2.6 billion public infrastructure bill. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Air quality alert Tuesday; pop up thunder north; cooler Wednesday
An air quality alert is in effect Tuesday for much of southern Minnesota. Tuesday will be very warm with widespread temps in the 80s. Spotty afternoon thunder develops in northern Minnesota along a cool front.
The NFL has expanded a program for minorities and women in sports medicine. The league aims to increase diversity among athletic trainers and medical staff in line with similar initiatives for coaches and the front office.
As session ends, Democrats ‘run the table’ at Capitol
Democrats were celebrating passing all their major priorities as the 2023 legislative session came to an end Monday night. Republicans were left to hope voters will want a change in 2024.
State lawmakers fast-track passenger rail between Duluth and the Twin Cities
State lawmakers have approved $195 million in funding for the Northern Lights passenger rail line connecting the Twin Ports and Twin Cities. Rail advocates have fought for it for decades, despite concerns about cost and ridership.
New fund protects farmers when grain buyers fail
A new Minnesota law will help protect farmers when they sell grain to a business that fails. The law creates a dedicated fund to reimburse farmers when a grain elevator goes bust and they don't get paid.
'XO, Kitty' is a coming-of-age Korean rom-dramedy with heart
The Netflix series XO, Kitty is a spinoff of the hit YA book and movie franchise, To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Anna Cathcart returns as Kitty Song Covey, a teenager with a penchant for matchmaking. The show is a mash-up of genres, including rom-coms, Korean dramas, and coming-of-age tales.
Minneapolis nonprofit seeks host homes for transgender youth traveling to Minnesota
As other states pass bans on gender-affirming care, a Minneapolis nonprofit says it's fielding more calls from transgender youth who are coming to Minnesota for care and need a place to stay. It’s asking Minnesotans to help by hosting them.