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Stories from July 20, 2023

Leaked groundwater containing tritium may have reached Mississippi River in Monticello

Leaked groundwater containing tritium may have reached Mississippi River in Monticello

Xcel Energy says water with very low levels of radioactive tritium was detected about 30 feet from the river’s edge. State health and pollution control officials say there’s no risk to drinking water.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Law enforcement veteran brought in to reform Minneapolis is stepping down after 13 months

Law enforcement veteran brought in to reform Minneapolis is stepping down after 13 months, and state employment officials say the great resignation is over. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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How Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' became a political controversy

How Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' became a political controversy

The country music star is known for his songs about rural life, but critics, especially those on the left of the political spectrum, say his latest music video takes the nostalgic themes too far.
by Emily Olson

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Hennepin County treatment court graduates commit to long-term recovery at first ceremony since COVID

Hennepin County treatment court graduates commit to long-term recovery at first ceremony since COVID

Since 1996, state treatment courts have provided an alternative to incarceration for some who enter the criminal justice system. Participants make regular appearances in front of a judge, are supervised under a probation officer and must submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
by Olivia Stevens

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More Minnesota kids hospitalized due to opioid exposure

More Minnesota kids hospitalized due to opioid exposure

Since January of 2022, the Minnesota Poison Control System said it’s been contacted about 66 children under age 3 requiring medical care due to exposure to opioids, including fentanyl.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Planting 'climate-smart' trees from the south to save forests up north

Planting 'climate-smart' trees from the south to save forests up north

Climate change is putting stress on the traditional spruce and pines in Minnesota’s northern forests — and there’s real concern about their future. So, researchers are planting trees from the southern parts of our state in hopes of saving our northern forests.
by Paul Huttner and Ngoc Bui

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As states crack down on gender-affirming care, transgender youth and families consider Minnesota

As states crack down on gender-affirming care, transgender youth and families consider Minnesota

MPR political reporter Dana Ferguson talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about her reporting along with KUER reporter Saige Miller, who joined us from Salt Lake City.
by Cathy Wurzer, Dana Ferguson and Gretchen Brown

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What's the deal with Ozempic and Wegovy? 2 Minnesota doctors explain

What's the deal with Ozempic and Wegovy? 2 Minnesota doctors explain

Some patients say these drugs have vastly improved their lives. There are also critics who worry they are being too widely used for cosmetic weight loss and feeding into an obsession with thinness.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

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Here's where the criminal and civil cases facing Trump stand

Here's where the criminal and civil cases facing Trump stand

Former President Donald Trump faces a number of criminal charges in two cases — but that may not be all, as he faces scrutiny in other probes. This all comes as Trump is running for president.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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State Rep. Wolgamott apologizes for DWI arrest

Following an arrest earlier this month for suspected drunk driving, Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, apologized Thursday and said he “takes full responsibility” for his actions.
by MPR News Staff

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Co-host New Zealand stuns Norway to open the Women's World Cup

Co-host New Zealand stuns Norway to open the Women's World Cup

Host team New Zealand defeated Norway 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament, following a brief pause to remember those killed and injured in a shooting in Auckland just hours before.
by Ashley Westerman

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Blockbuster drug Humira finally faces lower-cost rivals

Blockbuster drug Humira finally faces lower-cost rivals

After years of being the world’s best-selling drug, Humira faces competition from copycat versions known as biosimilars. One called Yusimry costs a $1,000 or less.
by Sydney Lupkin

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Denied abortion for a doomed pregnancy, she tells Texas court: 'There was no mercy'

Denied abortion for a doomed pregnancy, she tells Texas court: 'There was no mercy'

Women who had complicated and tragic pregnancies are suing Texas over its abortion bans. A hearing had emotional testimony in an Austin courtroom Wednesday. The state wants the case dismissed.
by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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Three Florida men are on the ballot in 2024. Voters there still want Trump

Three Florida men are on the ballot in 2024. Voters there still want Trump

In a statewide poll released this month, former President Trump led a crowded field of contenders for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was among those trailing Trump.
by Claudia Grisales

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Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition in Minnesota prairie

Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition in Minnesota prairie

Under the tall prairie grass outside this southwestern Minnesota town lies a precious seam of dark red pipestone that, for thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried and carved into pipes essential to prayer and communication with the Creator.
by The Associated Press

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Portions of Minnesota now in extreme drought; hot, dry weather next week

Portions of Minnesota now in extreme drought; hot, dry weather next week

Areas of drought continue to grow in Minnesota. Portions of the state are now in extreme drought. We’ll be temporarily cooler Thursday but hot, dry weather builds for next week.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Thousands remain without power after storms bring large hail, damaging wind to Minnesota

Thousands remain without power after storms bring large hail, damaging wind to Minnesota

Xcel Energy and other utilities reported more than 3,000 customers remained without power Thursday afternoon across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, after thunderstorms brought large hail and damaging winds to the region Wednesday night.
by Andrew Krueger

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Cleanup and power restoration underway after strong storms, possible tornado

Xcel Energy crews are working to restore power for some 40-thousand Minnesotans after strong storms swept across the state Wednesday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service is investigating a report of a possible tornado in the northwestern part of the state. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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Mosquitoes spread malaria. These researchers want them to fight it instead

Mosquitoes spread malaria. These researchers want them to fight it instead

Scientists have used a gene-editing technique to make mosquitos allies in the fight against malaria. Environmentalists are troubled by the idea of genetically modifying wild animals.
by Geoff Brumfiel

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Delivery drivers want protection against heat. But it's an uphill battle

Delivery drivers want protection against heat. But it's an uphill battle

As heat waves hit the U.S., delivery drivers are especially vulnerable to rising temperatures. Workers at some of the biggest delivery companies are pushing for more protection against extreme heat.
by Danielle Kaye

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'Refugees in the USA': Transgender care bans cause families to pull up stakes

'Refugees in the USA': Transgender care bans cause families to pull up stakes

In a year that saw polarized policymaking around gender care access, MPR News and KUER teamed up to tell the story of how gender-affirming care bans and care shields are affecting access in Minnesota and Utah.
by Dana Ferguson and Saige Miller

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Local brass band transforms George Floyd Square with music

Local brass band transforms George Floyd Square with music

In the wake of the police murder of George Floyd in May 2020, Butchy Austin was looking for a way to grieve and connect to his south Minneapolis community. He dusted off his trumpet and walked from his home to the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. And he played.
by Jon Collins

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