Stories from August 10, 2023

A year after record price pressures, Minnesota has some of the lowest inflation in US, and authorities are investigating the tragic shooting of a 3 year old in east central Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Minneapolis increases affordable housing funding by $4 million
Mayor Jacob Frey announced Thursday that the city has agreed to give the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) $5 million annually for property improvements and expansions — an increase over current annual amount of $1 million.  
Twin Cities receives hopeful inflation report: what does it mean for your wallet?
Inflation in the Twin Cities is at just one percent, according to new data the Bureau of Labor Statistics released this morning. That's lower than the national rate of 3.2 percent and the lowest inflation rate in the Twin Cities since July 2020.
Rulemaking process underway for new environmental justice areas
A rulemaking process is underway by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for a law passed this year aimed at addressing health inequities in disenfranchised communities.
Supreme Court blocks OxyContin maker's bankruptcy deal that would shield Sackler family members
The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would shield members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids.
Weekend weather: Quiet Saturday, rain at times on Sunday
Saturday looks like the driest day of the weekend. We take a look at our weekend rain chances and temperatures.
Emmy Awards rescheduled to January 15 due to Hollywood strikes
The 75th Emmy Awards have been rescheduled to broadcast on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s television’s most prestigious awards show, but ratings have been dropping steadily.
Christian Cooper on what it means to be a Black man in the natural world
Christian Cooper was birdwatching in Central Park in 2020 when a white woman falsely accused him of threatening her. That incident went viral, pushed his work as a Black birder into the public eye, and led to his fantastic memoir, “Better Living Through Birding: Notes From A Black Man In The Natural World.”
U of M med student reflects on 2 months behind the front lines in Ukraine
Twenty-four-year-old Sergey Karachenets had no military experience but wanted to give back to the country where he was born: Ukraine. The University of Minnesota medical student and EMT has spent the last two months behind the front lines as a combat medic.
Maui fire deaths surge to 53 and likely to go higher, governor says. Over 1,000 structures burned
The search of the wildfire wreckage on the Hawaiian island of Maui is revealing a wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities, as firefighters battle the stubborn blaze that has already claimed 36 lives, making it the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years.
Cooler north, warm south; showers and thunderstorms Thursday night
Thursday will be warm in southern Minnesota while northern Minnesota cools off. Scattered storms will be possible late Thursday into early Friday with another chance of rain Sunday.
Thousands of Minnesotans still need to file paperwork to renew their Medical Assistance coverage after a three-year national pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. A former state Republican Party operative and top donor will spend the next 21 years in federal prison for sex trafficking. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Hollywood strikes' economic impacts are hitting far beyond LA
The writers and actors strikes in Hollywood are affecting jobs across the U.S. The Motion Picture Association says film and TV productions employ more than 1.7 million people outside California.
Long wait times and far out appointments frustrate Minnesotans seeking drivers licenses
Officials from Driver and Vehicle Services say continuing staffing shortages are largely to blame for the struggle to nail down an appointment, with backlogs from the pandemic making matters worse.
Minnesota Rokkr Regiment reconnects veterans, active duty members through video game
A Twin Cities based esports organization is helping active service members and veterans build community and talk through common challenges while playing the popular video game, Call of Duty.
Pakistan's parliament is dissolved to pave way for elections
Pakistan's president on Wednesday dissolved the lower house of parliament as the country's top opposition leader is fighting to overturn a corruption conviction.