Stories from August 15, 2023

Frey outlines $1.8 billion budget for Minneapolis, says city is in 'state of transition'
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey outlined on Tuesday his proposed $1.8 billion dollar budget for next year, which includes funding for projects in areas ranging from affordable housing to public safety and climate change. 
Severe risk Wednesday; 90s ahead this weekend
We’re about to add more 90-degree days to our toasty summer.
Late-summer stimulus: Minnesota tax rebates begin arriving
In waves, the Department of Revenue will begin distributing one-time rebates this week to taxpayers who qualified based on 2021 income. The payments amount to $260 per person and up to $1,300 for a household.
Can movie theaters sustain the 'Barbie boost'?
Going to the movies is hot again thanks to the so-called "Barbie boost." “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer” and other movies continue to rev up the summer box office. But can theaters sustain the momentum?
Small business on the big screen: Black women business owners get special recognition
Sheletta Brundidge made a big investment that got five black women entrepreneurs that chance to put their small business on the big screen — right in front of the U.S. Bank Stadium for thousands of people to see in the form of a billboard.
Duluth City Council votes to ban smoking marijuana in public parks
The Duluth City Council has voted to ban smoking marijuana in all city parks, including the popular Lakewalk pedestrian path along Lake Superior, Bayfront Festival Park and Spirit Mountain.
This 'Evergreen' LA noir novel imagines the post-WWII reality of Japanese Americans
In Naomi Hirahara's mystery novel, a Japanese American family interned during the war returns home to a changed city. They're still settling in when their daughter is caught up in a murder.
More people are saying 'knot yet' and waiting to marry later in life
MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the shift in marriage trends across the country. They will discuss people delaying marriage, the decline in divorce rates and what marriage therapy involves.
Privately held Esmark makes offer for US Steel, sets up bidding contest for iconic steelmaker
ndustrial conglomerate Esmark says it has made an all-cash bid to buy U.S. Steel that values the iconic steelmaker at $7.8 billion. That tops an earlier offer from rival Cleveland-Cliffs. 
A new fast-growing tree species out of Minnesota may be part of a climate change solution
A new cottonwood-poplar hybrid tree from the University of Minnesota can grow up to eight feet per year. Scientists hope the tree will meet the need for more shade in the state.
Sunshine returns with steamier conditions by Wednesday and potentially strong storms
The sun is back for Tuesday along with more seasonable temperatures. Wednesday will be warmer, windy and more humid south ahead of a cold front which will touch off strong storms late in the day and overnight.
States that protect transgender health care now try to absorb demand
Waiting lists for gender-affirming health care are growing in states that declared themselves refuges for transgender people as bans for such care for minors take effect around the country. 
Brighter Tuesday; heating up Wednesday with storms late
Tuesday will be seasonable with plenty of sunshine. Wednesday will be warmer and more humid with storms late as a cool front sweeps across Minnesota.
The entire police department in the southeast Minnesota city of Goodhue resigned last week after the city's chief of police announced his resignation. Nearly a dozen aid workers are in Hawaii from Minnesota and surrounding states as part of the Red Cross response to the fires on Maui. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Wildfires in Maui are among the deadliest in U.S. history. These are the other fires atop the list
Wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed at least 96 people, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Here’s a look at the other deadliest fires in U.S. history.
What happens when thousands of hackers try to break AI chatbots
In a Jeopardy-style game at the annual Def Con hacking convention in Las Vegas, hackers tried to get chatbots from OpenAI, Google and Meta to create misinformation and share harmful content.
Long before latest push to bring high tech to north Minneapolis there was Microtron
There’s a new push to bring high tech businesses and jobs to north Minneapolis. However, 35 years ago a pioneering Black business owner named Beck Horton — and his now defunct company Microtron — did just that.
Kansas newspaper says it investigated local police chief prior to newsroom raid
The Marion County Record had been looking into allegations of misconduct against the local police chief just months ago, according to the paper's publisher, raising concerns about their motives.