Stories from June 21, 2023

House votes to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff
The California Democrat, who gained national recognition during his participation in congressional investigations of former President Trump, is a frequent target of Republicans and Trump himself.
Air quality alert continues through Thursday
Rain chances will increase as we approach the weekend.
Chef Sammi Loo's Ootori Sushi, Mezza 9 bring international flavors to Rochester
The Appetites tour wrapped up in Rochester. MPR News host Tom Crann met with restaurateur Sammi Loo to talk about her journey from sushi to pastries and all things food in Med City.
Are you ready for it? 'Swiftieapolis' prepares to welcome half a million people this weekend
With crowds of about half a million people expected in downtown Minneapolis this weekend for Twin Cities Pride and Taylor Swift concerts, Mayor Jacob Frey declared that he was temporarily renaming the city “Swiftieapolis.” 
5 things to know about Minnesota's air quality alert
Ground level ozone levels are much higher than usual. It’s a byproduct of pollutants and can make air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Prosecutors get an extension for charges against driver suspected of killing five young women in crash, and Bloomington loses out to Belgrade to host 2027 World Expo event. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Monarch butterflies' white spots may help them fly farther, scientists say
Monarch butterflies with more white spots on their mostly orange-and-black wings are more successful at long-distance migration. Some scientists think the spots may affect airflow around their wings.
Longest day of the year begins with haze, ushers in potential showers this weekend
Wednesday is hot and hazy. Just one week ago, the air smelt like burnt tires from wildfire smoke. This time around, it is not smoke but ozone bringing about the milky skies.
Twin Cities Jazz Fest co-directors talk festival's longevity, passing the torch
Camille Thurman, Christian McBride, Paquito D'Rivera and a whole line up of talented nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians perform Friday and Saturday at Mears Park in downtown St. Paul and over 15 venues across town.
Charges delayed in Minneapolis crash that left five people dead
Prosecutors say they’ve received a 24-hour extension to file charges against a driver suspected of causing a crash that claimed the lives of five young women in Minneapolis last week.
Two new novels illustrate just how hard it is to find a foothold in America
Brandon Taylor's “The Late Americans” is a sexually-explicit, cynical novel about young people striving. “Such Kindness,” by Andre Dubus III, grapples with injury, addiction, masculinity and loneliness.
Wisconsin lawmakers poised to approve liquor law overhaul
Wisconsin lawmakers are poised to approve a massive overhaul of the laws governing the state’s multibillion-dollar liquor industry, a proposal supported by the smallest craft brewers to the largest national brewers, bar owners and alcohol distributors.
Experts raised safety concerns about OceanGate years before its Titanic sub vanished
Experts from within and outside OceanGate worried about the safety and development of the Titan as far back as 2018, years before its inaugural dive. One tells NPR its disappearance isn’t a surprise.
Explosion hits a building in Paris, injuring 16. Police are trying to determine the cause
A strong explosion hit a building in Paris’ Left Bank on Wednesday, leaving at least 16 injured and igniting a fire that sent smoke soaring over city monuments and prompted the evacuation of surrounding buildings, police said. The cause of the blast was not immediately known.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report just after 8 a.m. that an aircraft beacon had been activated, and another plane in the area saw possible wreckage on the ground.
Trailblazing golfer working to get more Black women and girls in the game
On the South side of Minneapolis more than a half century ago, Lynnette Landry fell in love with the game of golf, and she is still working to make the sport more accessible to everyone, including Black girls and women.
'Rich White Men' reinforces the argument that inequality harms us all
While not a new concept, Garrett Neiman makes distinct contributions to the conversation; as a rich white man, he has insider's access to that population — and doesn't shy away from self-indictment.
Don't get the jitters — keep up a healthy relationship with caffeine using these tips
Seventy five percent of Americans consume some kind of caffeine at least once a day. Whether your caffeine of choice is coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, how do you know that it's working for you and not against you?
Heat, ozone bring more air quality alerts; rain expands into the weekend
The heat continues for southern Minnesota through Friday. Ozone continues to create reduced air quality. The chance of rain will be expanding slowly east into the weekend.
Spice Lake Fire 100% contained; BWCAW closure area scaled back
Officials reported Wednesday the Spice Lake Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now 100 percent contained — and a temporary closure order for part of the wilderness has been drastically reduced.
Minnesota's bid to host world expo in Bloomington falls short
Minnesota’s bid to host a world expo event in Bloomington in 2027 has fallen short. Voters at a Bureau of International Expositions meeting in Paris on Wednesday awarded the 2027 gathering to Belgrade, Serbia.
Another hot day for the summer solstice;  low air quality continues
Look for another 90 degree day Wednesday. The heat and poor air quality continue through at least Friday with rain possible in northwestern Minnesota Wednesday and statewide by Saturday. 
In a letter sent to Target CEO Brian Cornell by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 14 other attorneys general, the group says they "stand ready to help address any anti-LGBTQIA+ threats and harassment in Target stores." The Minnesota-based company was criticized for some items the store was carrying for Pride month by several conservative groups. The company pulled some items from stores after employees received threats.
Arroyo has 5 hits, 4 RBIs as Red Sox beat Twins 10-4 for 6th straight win
Added to the starting lineup late, Christian Arroyo had a career-high five hits and drove in four runs, while Kutter Crawford pitched five scoreless innings for the Boston Red Sox in a 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins.
How many miles do you have to travel to get abortion care? One professor maps it
An economics professor at Middlebury College and her undergrad research assistants have been tracking access to abortion care since 2009. These maps show the dramatic changes in the past decade.
Election workers are facing threats and harassment as they brace for 2024
Election workers across 22 different states told NPR they've received threats or felt unsafe doing their jobs, and many are worried for what the 2024 presidential election will bring.
ChangeMakers: For two-spirit legislator Alicia Kozlowski, community is everything
Kozlowski, 35, made history last fall when they became Minnesota’s first nonbinary legislator. Their path to office started with a running group for women and gender-expansive people called KwePack.
Minnesota abortion clinics see out-of-state demand surge, post-Roe
Minnesota was already an island of abortion access when the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade one year ago. The decision has brought new challenges as Minnesota clinics work to meet the needs of a growing list of patients from around the country.
As new North Dakota laws target transgender rights, some residents live in fear
North Dakota has several new laws targeting transgender people. Among the laws passed this year are a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, restrictions on transgender girls participating in sports and limits on bathroom access and pronoun use for K-12 students.
Summer solstice brings druids, pagans and thousands of curious people to Stonehenge
A seemingly curious alliance of druids, pagans, hippies, local residents and tourists gathered around Stonehenge and greeted sunrise on Wednesday, which is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.