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Stories from July 13, 2023

WHO says aspartame is a 'possible carcinogen.' The FDA disagrees

WHO says aspartame is a 'possible carcinogen.' The FDA disagrees

Moderate consumption of aspartame is OK, scientists say. But heavy consumers may want to reduce their intake. The WHO says aspartame may "possibly" cause cancer. The FDA questions the evidence.
by Allison Aubrey

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Judge OKs state plan to monitor MPD, overhaul policing

Judge OKs state plan to monitor MPD, overhaul policing

During a two-year investigation, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights found a pattern of racial discrimination in the MPD. The U.S. Justice Department reached similar conclusions in a report last month.
by Nina Moini and Matt Sepic

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State Fair boosts 2023 security budget after shooting last year

State Fair CEO Renee Alexander says the fair is set to spend around $4 million for safety measures this year. That’s more than double the usual budget, she says. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Jacob Aloi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
by Jacob Aloi

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During Minnesota visit, Justice Kavanaugh seeks to dispel the notion that SCOTUS is partisan

During Minnesota visit, Justice Kavanaugh seeks to dispel the notion that SCOTUS is partisan

Justice Brett Kavanaugh pointed to the mixed U.S. Supreme Court decisions this term as he sought Thursday to dispel notions that it is partisan, even after conservatives brought about the end of affirmative action in college admissions and struck down President Joe Biden's student loan debt relief program.
by The Associated Press

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Powerball jackpot climbs to $875 million, the third-largest on record

Powerball jackpot climbs to $875 million, the third-largest on record

The new jackpot for the next drawing is the third-largest in the history of the game, coming behind the world record $2.04 billion jackpot won last year and the $1.586 billion jackpot won in 2016.
by Jonathan Franklin

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How to weatherize and super insulate your home to become more energy efficient

How to weatherize and super insulate your home to become more energy efficient

One of the biggest opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is weatherizing and super insulating existing homes and buildings. And lawmakers this year set aside a big chunk of money to help people do just that. So how can you get started?
by Paul Huttner and Ngoc Bui

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How will a new Minnesota law affect mergers between large health care companies?

How will a new Minnesota law affect mergers between large health care companies?

A law recently signed by Gov. Tim Walz outlines new ways for Minnesota’s attorney general to oversee hospital deals like the proposed merger between Sanford Health and Fairview into one mega-hospital system.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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'The Beast You Are' is smart, self-aware, fun, creepy, and strange

'The Beast You Are' is smart, self-aware, fun, creepy, and strange

These Paul Tremblay stories — a wildly entertaining mix of literary horror, psychological suspense and science fiction — will be more than enough to make readers into immediate fans.
by Gabino Iglesias

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After a fatal car crash, a Maple Grove man turns to restorative justice

After a fatal car crash, a Maple Grove man turns to restorative justice

When Johnny Palka’s wife, Yvonne, was hit by a car and killed in November 2019, he had a choice: pursue traditional criminal prosecution for the driver, or something else. The path he chose is commonly known as restorative justice.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Minnesota's new health system merger law: Key questions, answered

Minnesota's new health system merger law: Key questions, answered

A new Minnesota law banning anti-competitive health care mergers could affect several proposed deals involving state health systems. The law’s author, DFL Rep. Robert Bierman, spoke to MPR News Thursday about the future of health care in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Summery Thursday; thunderstorm chance late afternoon and evening

Summery Thursday; thunderstorm chance late afternoon and evening

It’ll be dry for much of Thursday, but scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible in some areas late Thursday afternoon and this evening.
by Ron Trenda

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Westbound Interstate 94 near St. Croix River reopens after earlier crash

Westbound Interstate 94 near St. Croix River reopens after earlier crash

The westbound lanes of Interstate 94 near the St. Croix River reopened to traffic just before 8 a.m. Thursday, after being closed for a couple of hours in the wake of a semi rollover crash.
by MPR News Staff

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St. Luke’s plan to merge with Aspirus Health is the latest for Minnesota health care

Duluth-based St. Luke’s plans to merge with Aspirus Health, a nonprofit health system that operates in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The new system will contain 19 hospitals, 130 outpatient locations and nearly 14,000 staff. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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An otter in Santa Cruz is hassling surfers — and stealing their boards

An otter in Santa Cruz is hassling surfers — and stealing their boards

The 5-year-old female southern sea otter was first seen hijacking surfboards in Santa Cruz last September. Officials successfully drove the otter away from the area, but she has since returned.
by Dustin Jones

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Minneapolis cafe, worker-run since 1974, reopens with new vision (and brunch)

Minneapolis cafe, worker-run since 1974, reopens with new vision (and brunch)

Seward Cafe has been a prominent part of south Minneapolis history for nearly 50 years. After its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, collective members have focused on ushering in a new age of the cooperatively owned venue.
by Sam Stroozas

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Art Hounds: Broadway, Shakespeare and 48-hour bands

Art Hounds: Broadway, Shakespeare and 48-hour bands

This week, the Art Hounds recommend “A Chorus Line” by actors 55 and up, “Twelfth Night” in a parking lot and a music festival in St. Peter, Minn.
by Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber

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Nineties Black cinema returns to Minneapolis this summer

Nineties Black cinema returns to Minneapolis this summer

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, with the guidance of poet and New York Times bestseller Hanif Abdurraqib, is set to host a public summer screening series of five influential films from the ‘90s by Black filmmakers.
by Aaliyah Demry

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