Stories from August 8, 2023

Proposal to boost rideshare driver pay moves forward in Minneapolis
A proposal in front of the Minneapolis City Council which seeks to, among other things, boost pay for Uber and Lyft drivers whose rides originate in the city, gained approval in a committee. The full council will vote on the measure next week.
The challenge, and opportunity, of 'getting to green' in Minnesota
While many people are in favor of moving towards a so-called green economy through reducing our dependence on climate change causing fossil fuels, the realities of making that move are complex. Margaret Cherne-Hendrick who works for Fresh Energy, a St. Paul-based clean energy nonprofit, says the transition offers challenges and opportunities.
Spotty storms up north Tuesday night. More widespread rainfall is possible Thursday night.
Authorities release 14-year-old held in fatal weekend shooting in St. Paul and both Fargo officers wounded in an ambush shooting that killed a colleague are now out of the hospital. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
What have we learned from Minnesota's summer of smoke? A meteorologist weighs in
There’s another air quality alert that parts of Minnesota is dealing with Tuesday. Heavy ground level smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting across Northern Minnesota. That makes Tuesday the 41st day with bad air quality in Minnesota this year.
Minnesota wildland firefighters help stop Canada's wildfires, here's one on what she's seen
Our state has been answering the call for help thanks to the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact. It’s a partnership where Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Manitoba and Ontario have all agreed to help each other out with firefighting.
Only a small share of M Health Fairview patients leave the hospital early, against their doctor’s advice. But according to new reporting in Sahan Journal, that number is five times higher for people who use opioids or meth.
The healing benefits of getting outdoors
Listen back to a conversation with MPR News host Angela Davis and two Minnesotans who are helping others experience the joys of the outdoors and the health benefits.
Southern Minnesota city lifts boil water advisory
The city of Eagle Lake, Minn. — just east of Mankato — asked residents and businesses earlier this week to boil water from the municipal water system after a power outage led to a drop in water pressure.
Review: Theater Mu’s Kung Fu Zombies Saga is a thought-provoking spectacle 
Theater Mu’s “Kung Fu Zombies Saga” at the Luminary Arts Center in Minneapolis offers a gripping two-act epic that combines family, grief and survival — with elements of hip hop, Southeast Asian mythology and 1980s cinema — delivering standout performances and fight choreography through Aug. 13.
A new clue to the reason some people come down with long COVID
Researchers have found a link between the FOXP4 gene and the occurrence of what’s known as long COVID. The finding could lead to a better understanding of a condition that affects millions.
Unity or challenge? Rep. Dean Phillips responds to potential presidential bid
The Democratic Party is still largely backing incumbent President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination since the 80-year-old launched his reelection campaign in April. Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has been flirting with the idea of adding his name to a short list of Democratic presidential candidates.
Warm again Tuesday with another air quality alert north; thunder develops north also
Expect slightly warmer than normal temperatures again Tuesday with sunshine south and late day storms north. We also have another air quality alert for portions of central and northern Minnesota.
Officials with SharePoint Credit Union and Star Choice Credit Union, with branches in the Twin Cities metro area, say they aim to combine early next year pending approval from regulators and members.
More wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada is triggering an air quality alert for Minnesotans. In Duluth, folks will cast their ballots in the city’s Primary Election. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
There's money in Magic: The booming business of rare game cards
For decades, sports have led the pack in the trading card market. Now, as celebrities shell out millions for rare game cards, fantasy characters are giving star athletes a run for their money.
Biden is creating a new national monument near the Grand Canyon
The president will make the announcement in Arizona on Tuesday. The designation protects lands that are sacred to indigenous peoples and blocks new uranium mine claims.
Minnesota’s ambitious EV dreams still need a charge
Minnesota’s clean energy push includes an ambitious goal to have electric vehicles be 20 percent of all light-duty vehicles on the road by 2030. However, getting there means building thousands of electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
Listening to the birds and the bees to make solar farms more biofriendly
As the U.S. makes the transition towards greener energy production, one thorny issue is the millions of acres needed for solar farms. This will involve farm fields and other lands. At three sites in Minnesota, research is underway to find ways of serving both the needs of energy and nature.
Growing power line needs generate new friction in Minnesota’s clean energy shift
Moving solar and wind energy from where it’s produced to where it’s needed means a major buildout of new transmission lines, but the projects often face pushback from landowners concerned about aesthetics, health and the environment.