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Stories from August 31, 2023

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe formalizes adult-use recreational cannabis on its tribal lands

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe formalizes adult-use recreational cannabis on its tribal lands

The ordinance creates a regulatory framework for the sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis products on the reservation. State law, enforced by Leech Lake and county law enforcement across the reservation, legalized adult use of cannabis on Aug 1.
by Melissa Olson

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Cargo ship sets sail with 'WindWings' created by Minnesota's Cargill

Cargo ship sets sail with 'WindWings' created by Minnesota's Cargill

Minnesota-based Cargill has developed modern sails they’re calling ‘WindWings’ that allow giant cargo ships to harness wind energy. And last week, the first ever vessel outfitted with the giant 123-foot sails embarked on a test journey from China to Brazil.
by Paul Huttner and Ngoc Bui

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Minnesota's First Feline goes missing

Minnesota's First Feline goes missing

On Aug. 26 Gov. Tim Walz’s orange tabby cat, Afton, went missing from his Eastcliff residence in St. Paul. He has removed his Apple AirTag.
by Sam Stroozas

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Hottest September day in 92 years possible this weekend

Hottest September day in 92 years possible this weekend

Temperatures in the Twin Cities have reached 100 degrees in September only once in the past 150 years of records. That could change this Labor Day weekend when an unusually hot and dry air mass blows into Minnesota.
by Paul Huttner

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Drought conditions expand in Minnesota; issues with firefighter grant program

Severe and extreme drought conditions expanded in Minnesota over the past week, and the Minnesota Legislative Auditor said Thursday that the Department of Public Safety didn't adequately manage a grant program aimed at helping firefighters. Those news stories and more, in an evening news update hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Music by Gary Meister.
by Kirsti Marohn

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DFL lawmaker to plead guilty to July DWI

State Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, says he’ll pay a fine, agree to a stayed jail sentence and avoid drinking and driving. A local prosecutor has signed off on the deal, which awaits judicial approval.
by Brian Bakst

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As U.S. COVID hospitalizations rise, some places are bringing mask mandates back

As U.S. COVID hospitalizations rise, some places are bringing mask mandates back

New COVID variants are fueling hospitalizations and prompting some schools and hospitals to reinstate mask mandates. Others are considering or ruling out the possibility, leaving it up to individuals.
by Rachel Treisman

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Minnesota's Town Ball tradition celebrates 100 years

Minnesota's Town Ball tradition celebrates 100 years

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dennis Brennan, a board member of the Minnesota Baseball Association who has a rich history in Town Ball.
by Cathy Wurzer and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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State Fair's beloved 'Giant Sing Along' is about strangers sharing strange moments

State Fair's beloved 'Giant Sing Along' is about strangers sharing strange moments

The Giant Sing Along has been part of the state fair since 2011. And here’s something you may not know: it was originally created by an art and design studio based in Montreal.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

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Growing diversity: The changing face of Minnesota farming

Growing diversity: The changing face of Minnesota farming

Don’t miss this special North Star Journey Live conversation recorded at the Minnesota State Fair about emerging farmers. What’s being done in our state to encourage more diversity in agriculture?
by Angela Davis and Kelly Gordon

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How the Minnesota mystery of 'Bloomfield bridge' was solved by a curious sleuth

How the Minnesota mystery of 'Bloomfield bridge' was solved by a curious sleuth

The history of the Bloomfield pedestrian bridge was nearly lost to time and fading memories. That is, until a man from Bloomington, Minn., spent two months trying to uncover its history.
by Cathy Wurzer, Lukas Levin and Gracie Stockton

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Art Hounds: Outdoor opera and a one-person show with a rotating cast

Art Hounds: Outdoor opera and a one-person show with a rotating cast

Art Hounds recommend the one-person play “Naive Super” at Norway House, in which the actor changes with every performance. Mixed Precipitation’s Pickup Truck Opera wraps up its traveling summer performances of Charles Gounod’s opera “Romeo and Juliet” at several outdoor metro locations. 
by Emily Bright

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Drought worsens for most of Minnesota; little rain in sight

Drought worsens for most of Minnesota; little rain in sight

Drought conditions worsen across Minnesota with hot weather and little or no rain in the next several days. The approaching heat wave could be record-breaking and the hottest this late in 45 years.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Reynoso scores twice, leads Minnesota United over Rapids 3-0

Reynoso scores twice, leads Minnesota United over Rapids 3-0

Emanuel Reynoso scored twice in the first 28 minutes to propel Minnesota United to a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Reynoso gave Minnesota United (9-8-8) the lead for good in the 18th minute on a penalty kick after drawing a foul on Colorado’s Ralph Priso. 
by The Associated Press

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Audio Postcard: Purple and gold pepper a prairie voyage

Audio Postcard: Purple and gold pepper a prairie voyage

Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root find bundles of purple Blazing Star and yellow Goldenrod in Lost Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, just north of Hastings, Minn.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Space Tower grounded for the rest of this year’s Minnesota State Fair

Space Tower grounded for the rest of this year’s Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair’s iconic Space Tower, soaring more than 300 feet above the eastern edge of the fairgrounds, won’t be taking any more fairgoers up for a ride this year after a wiring malfunction.
by Tim Nelson

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Teen pleads guilty in fatal shooting; more charges in Minneapolis Medicaid fraud

A teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday to shooting and killing a St. Paul man during a car theft. Michael Scott Brasel, 44, was killed in front of his house in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood in May. And five people face charges in an alleged scheme to defraud the Minnesota Medical Assistance program of nearly $10 million. This is an MPR News Morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appears to freeze up again, this time at a Kentucky event

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appears to freeze up again, this time at a Kentucky event

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to briefly freeze up and was unable to answer a question from a reporter at an event in Kentucky on Wednesday. He had a similar episode weeks ago in Washington.
by The Associated Press

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Why Biden is now routinely taking the short stairs up to Air Force One

Why Biden is now routinely taking the short stairs up to Air Force One

The built-in stairs lead to the belly of the plane. They're less photogenic than the tall, outdoor steps. But the sturdier stairs pose less of a health and political risk to the 80-year-old president.
by Tamara Keith

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Idalia extends its destruction along the southeastern U.S. coastline

Idalia extends its destruction along the southeastern U.S. coastline

Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach, Fla., on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm before it was downgraded to a tropical storm. Georgia and South Carolina could see heavy wind and flooding
by Vanessa Romo, Ayana Archie, Russell Lewis and Rachel Treisman

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Trump launched an ambitious effort to end HIV. House Republicans want to defund it.

Trump launched an ambitious effort to end HIV. House Republicans want to defund it.

Republicans in Congress back substantial cuts to the budget of the CDC, taking aim at one of former President Donald Trump's major health programs: a push to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
by Andy Miller and Sam Whitehead

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Then and now at the State Fair: Architecture of the miniature city

Then and now at the State Fair: Architecture of the miniature city

Think of the Minnesota State Fair as a miniature city. Like a city, the fairgrounds have been built up over more than 150 years, with different architecture styles.
by Alex V. Cipolle

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Still no strong 2024 GOP challenger for Amy Klobuchar

Still no strong 2024 GOP challenger for Amy Klobuchar

As DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar prepares to seek a fourth term next year, a strong Republican challenger has yet to emerge.
by Mark Zdechlik

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