Stories from May 24, 2023

State Democrats strike up the band on the Capitol lawn to tout their legislative sweep and Xcel says there’s anothe radioactive tritium spill at its Monticello plant. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
A Twin Cities Culver’s franchisee is facing a pair of federal lawsuits alleging that employees faced racist taunts and sexual harassment and that managers discriminated against a disabled worker.
Tina Turner, unstoppable superstar whose hits included 'What's Love Got to Do With It,' dead at 83
She teamed with husband Ike Turner for a dynamic run of hit records and live shows and survived her horrifying marriage to triumph in middle age. Turner's manager says she died Tuesday after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
July preview ahead; trending dry again
The forecast models look a lot like summer in the next week.
Minnesota DNR FalconCam welcomes 2 new chicks
We’re tracking developments of the two peregrine falcons featured at the Minnesota DNR’s FalconCam nest in downtown St. Paul. Over the weekend, two falcon chicks hatched.
How to take action on youth mental health
We listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with two Minnesota professionals about how to recognize signs of mental health challenges — and what to do and say to help that young person in your life.
Survey: Weapons, fights in St. Paul public schools largest concern for students, parents, staff 
The results of a school safety survey presented to the school board Tuesday evening revealed that while most students are not involved in violence, many feel unsafe in parts of school buildings.
Cooler north with some showers; holiday weekend looks warm, mostly dry
Air quality will be better Wednesday but skies will remain hazy. Northern Minnesota will be much cooler with more clouds and a few showers. June temperatures are back for the weekend.
Target pulls some LGBTQ+ merchandise from stores ahead of June Pride month after threats to workers
Target is removing certain items from its stores and making other changes to its LGBTQ+ merchandise nationwide ahead of Pride month, after an intense backlash from some customers including violent confrontations with its workers.
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. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Cooler, breezy Wednesday; warm, dry holiday weekend ahead
High temperatures across Minnesota Wednesday will range from the low 80s in the southwest to 70s east, 60s north and just 50s along the North Shore. There will be some showers in north-central Minnesota.
Death sentence reduced to life in prison for man who killed North Dakota student
The death sentence for a Minnesota man who killed a North Dakota student in 2003 has been changed to life in prison. A federal appeals court judge officially reduced the sentence for 70-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. last week.
Giants rally past Twins 4-3 on Conforto's key double, go-ahead homer
The San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 for their seventh win in eight games. Michael Conforto doubled to spark a slow-developing sixth-inning rally and hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh for the Giants against Twins reliever Jorge López.
A year after Uvalde's school massacre, healing remains elusive
There are still many unresolved questions about the shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers. As they grasp for answers, surviving families and the broader community feel suspended in grief.
Happy Birthday, Bob!
Enjoy a playlist of cuts from the legendary musician, who turns 82 this year.
Debt ceiling talks aren't going well. Here's where they stand
After another round of staff-level talks, House Republicans insist there's a gulf between them and the White House on key areas on how to resolve the looming debt ceiling deadline.
Lawmakers approve tougher enforcement, penalties for water permit violators
The bill gives state regulators stronger authority to crack down on violators who pump more water than they're permitted. Farmers worry they could face hefty fines if they overdraw to keep their crops alive during a drought.
In 'American Born Chinese,' a beloved graphic novel gets Disney-fied
In the Disney+ show American Born Chinese, Jin is an insecure Chinese-American kid just trying to get through high school when he befriends the new kid in town, Wei-Chen. Wei-Chen is actually a god on a divine quest, and he drags Jin along with him. And the two come to realize they're more alike than they ever imagined.