Stories from June 28, 2023

Strong storms possible Wednesday night; better air quality Thursday
Strong storms are possible from near the Twin Cities into western Wisconsin Wednesday evening. Air quality improves Thursday. Temperatures warm up through the weekend.
Minnesota agencies that award state grants to nonprofits got new power from the Legislature this year to put holds on money if they spot potential problems. The added accountability steps coincide with an uptick in grant awards. An MPR News analysis of the new state budget shows nearly $1 billion in grants approved for the next two years. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Peter Cox. Music by Gary Meister.
Minneapolis council stops rent measure with three supporters out for Muslim holiday
Voters in Minneapolis are not likely to see a rent control question on the ballot this fall. The city council Wednesday killed the measure while three council members were away to observe the Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha.
Minnesota seeks staff to oversee nearly 1 billion in potential funding for nonprofits
Minnesota lawmakers approved nearly a billion dollars in funding for nonprofit organizations around the state over the next two years, including some that have been waiting years for funding.
South Koreans are getting younger, as a new law goes into effect
People in South Korea all became at least one year younger on Wednesday, as the country dropped a traditional method of counting their ages. Under the old system, a person was one year old at birth.
More unhealthy air in southern, central Minnesota as wildfire smoke continues
The air quality alert is in effect for most of the lower half of the state through midnight. Everyone in southern Minnesota is advised to limit time outdoors and exercise.
Remember Reaganomics? Freakonomics? Now there's Bidenomics
Jared Bernstein, President Biden's new top economic adviser, says that Bidenomics is "about getting things that are pretty granular done." And that it's working.
State auditors release the third of four reports on the Southwest Light Rail Transit project
State auditors released a third report Wednesday on the delays and cost overruns of the Southwest Light Rail Transit project. The 14.5-mile line from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie is running almost a decade behind schedule and nearly three times as expensive as initial estimates.
Opinion: If you love film, you should be worried about what's going on at Turner Classic Movies
Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced a shake-up at the network, which for years has offered a well curated film selection. Critic David Bianculli says TCM wasn't broken — and didn't need fixing.
Minnesota isn't alone: Air quality plummets across Midwest due to wildfires
Along with Minnesota, Chicago saw its air quality plummet, while other cities including Detroit, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh were experiencing unhealthy air quality levels.
Meet a community health leader dedicated to supporting Black trans women
Reneka Evans has worked in health care in the Twin Cities for more than two decades — at the African American AIDS task force, the Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis and now at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Southwest light rail: New report questions Met Council oversight
Among its findings, the audit released Wednesday found the Metropolitan Council did not hold contractors accountable to contract requirements and paid contractors for changes without ensuring those added costs were valid.
Poor air quality Wednesday; strong storms possible
Air quality will remain an issue as smoke lingers in eastern and southern Minnesota. An air quality alert continues essentially through midnight Wednesday.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued a record 23rd air quality alert of the year Tuesday morning, as yet another round of smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts across southern and eastern parts of the state. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Lawmakers earmark nearly $1 billion for Minnesota nonprofits along with new oversight
Lawmakers approved more than $900 million for nonprofits over the next two years, but they’re also after stricter oversight in the wake of the Feeding Our Future scandal.
ChangeMakers: Reneka Evans has dedicated her life to helping Black trans women
Evans, 54, has been working in community health care in Minnesota for more than two decades. She currently works as the LGBTQ+ community lead for the Minnesota Department of Health as part of its COVID-19 community response.
Mobile business owner experiences bumps in the road
Retail in small towns is changing, and mobile businesses are seeking their place in this new world. In Courtland, Minn., one entrepreneur with a mobile coffee shop is finding out there are pluses and minuses to being on the move.
Smoke from Canada's wildfires darkens Europe's skies
A plume of smoke and soot stretches for thousands of miles from the province of Quebec province across the Atlantic Ocean, as seen in satellite images from NASA.