Stories from June 20, 2023

Here's the latest on the missing Titanic sub and the race to rescue those inside
The Titan, a minivan-size submersible, was carrying five people to the Titanic's watery grave when it lost contact. The vessel has enough oxygen to keep its passengers alive for about 40 more hours.
En Mineápolis, tres cuartas partes de los niños con elevados niveles de plomo son niños de color
El equipo de “Healthy Homes” realiza extensiva divulgación e inspecciona detalladamente los hogares que se consideran en riesgo de exposición al plomo. Los inspectores dicen que las comunidades imigrantes pueden encontrar plomo en elementos como el carbón presente en el maquillaje, especias y medicinas importadas, dulces y juguetes que vienen directamente de otros países.
In Minneapolis, three-fourths of kids with elevated levels of lead are children of color
The city’s Healthy Homes team does extensive outreach and conducts detailed inspections of homes deemed at risk of lead exposure. Inspectors say immigrant communities may encounter lead in items like coal used as makeup; imported spices and medicines, candy and toys that come directly from other countries.
Program brings farm fresh produce to incarcerated youth in Bemidji
Forget what you think you know about the food served in correctional facilities; these youth are getting farm-to-table meals thanks to a Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant program designed for schools.
Boundary Waters wildfire now 90 percent contained
Crews continue to make progress in battling a wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, officials reporting Tuesday the Spice Lake Fire is now 90 percent contained.
St. Paul's Monastery celebrates 75 years of hospitality, service
St Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul is celebrating its 75th anniversary this weekend. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer speaks with SubPrioress Sister Linda Soler more about the monastery’s past, present and plans for the future.
Bloomington is vying for a world expo to come to town in 2027. It's up against countries all over the world
Minnesota, specifically Bloomington is vying for a World Expo to come to town in 2027. We should find out early Wednesday morning if Minnesota's bid is successful. Minnesota is up against Argentina, Serbia, Spain and Thailand.
Minnesota’s first nonbinary legislator on what led them to public service
All this month as part of our Changemakers series, MPR News is profiling trans and nonbinary leaders making a difference in Minnesota. MPR News producer Nicole Ki spoke with Duluth Representative Alicia Kozlowski, who made history last November as the first nonbinary person elected to the Minnesota Legislature.
Hunter Biden will plead guilty in a deal that likely averts time behind bars in a tax and gun case
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been charged with failing to pay federal income tax and illegally possessing a weapon and has reached an agreement with the Justice Department. That's according to letter filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware made public Tuesday. 
Air quality alerts, heat this week; hopeful late week rain chances
Hot weather continues through the week with surface level ozone reducing air quality as well. Rainfall becomes increasingly possible later this week into the weekend.
Heat and reduced air quality continue to build; rain chances late week
The heating trend continues with highs near 90 Tuesday for many locations. An air quality alert goes into effect Tuesday through Thursday. We’re still tracking a slow moving system for late in the week.
How Ukraine created an 'Army of Drones' to take on Russia
We hear a lot about the big-ticket weapons the West is shipping to Ukraine. But Ukraine is also fighting effectively with a weapon it can buy off-the-shelf and is small enough to hold in one hand.
A proposal to convert a natural gas plant in central Minnesota to burn diesel fuel oil is sparking some opposition. Green River Energy says the change would provide flexibility during times when natural gas isn’t available or its price spikes, but environmental groups say it would increase air pollution.
Plan to convert Cambridge natural gas plant to burn diesel gets pushback
Great River Energy says the change would provide flexibility during times when natural gas isn't available or its price spikes. But environmental groups say it would increase air pollution.
Anger to action: How DFLers transformed Minnesota abortion rights after Roe
DFL lawmakers felt rage last June 24 as the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. They channeled that anger into winning at the polls then widening abortion access in ways that surprised even some supporters and angered opponents. Here’s how it happened.
Minnesota nickel mine brings environmental promise, but also concerns
Talon Metals is expected to soon submit plans to build an underground nickel mine outside the town of Tamarack, Minn., with the goal of supplying metals to build electric vehicle batteries. But skepticism over whether the company can mine safely persists.