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Stories from September 5, 2023

Thousands of Minnesota students head back to class, some in brand new schools

Thousands and thousands of Minnesota students head back to class, some in brand new schools. Also, the panel charged with remaking the state flag meets for the first time. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Back-to-school vaccinations encouraged as Minnesota's immunization rate declines

Back-to-school vaccinations encouraged as Minnesota's immunization rate declines

Almost 30 percent of 6-year-olds in Minnesota are not up to date on their required immunizations in 2023. The state also has one of the lowest vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.
by Kyra Miles

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Lazzaro sex trafficking accomplice gets 3 years in prison

Lazzaro sex trafficking accomplice gets 3 years in prison

A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced the accomplice of sex trafficker Tony Lazzaro to three years in prison. Gisela Castro Medina, 21, admitted that in 2020 she recruited and groomed five girls to be sex partners for Lazzaro, 32, a one-time Minnesota Republican Party operative and top donor.
by Matt Sepic

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Heat wave ending; showers, storms into late Tuesday

Heat wave ending; showers, storms into late Tuesday

The heat wave ends Tuesday with the passage of a strong cold front. Showers and thunderstorms have been firing up. Some storms could be severe into Tuesday evening in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
by Bill Endersen

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Minnesota flag panel frets that deadline may be too tight

Minnesota flag panel frets that deadline may be too tight

A special commission working on a design for Minnesota’s flag and official seal met for the first time Tuesday, and some members said they doubt they can finish by a Jan. 1 deadline. 
by Brian Bakst

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Four injured when tent catches fire in central Minnesota

Four people were burned, one of them seriously, in a tent fire in the city of Maple Lake over the holiday weekend.
by Tim Nelson

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Spain's women's soccer coach is fired as fallout grows from unwanted World Cup kiss

Spain's women's soccer coach is fired as fallout grows from unwanted World Cup kiss

In its dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda, Spain’s soccer federation did not mention his connection to now-suspended president Luis Rubiales or his unpopularity among the Women’s World Cup-winning team.
by Laurel Wamsley

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Indigenous narratives at Radio Camp 2022

Indigenous narratives at Radio Camp 2022

The theme for 2022 was Indigenous narratives, and students conducted their interviews at Hoċokata Ti, a gathering space at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Shakopee.
by MPR News Staff

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NPR CEO John Lansing will leave in December, capping a tumultuous year

NPR CEO John Lansing will leave in December, capping a tumultuous year

President and CEO John Lansing plans to leave NPR nine months before his term is set to expire. His tenure has been defined by the pandemic, a racial reckoning and economic headwinds.
by David Folkenflik

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Audio Postcard: Spring season brings a hunt for hepatica

Audio Postcard: Spring season brings a hunt for hepatica

The number of flowers peaking through melted snow and fallen leaves was minimal in April, but one stood out. Wildflower chasers Kelly Povo and Phyllis Root discovered pale-petaled hepatica at the Townsend Woods Scientific and Natural Area.
by Cathy Wurzer, Heidi Raschke and Lukas Levin

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Walz weighing special session on student restraint law

Walz weighing special session on student restraint law

Police groups and Republican lawmakers have urged the governor to call a special session to repeal a law that prohibits school resource officers from restraining students in a way that restricts their breathing.
by Dana Ferguson

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Breakfast at the fair: Auntie M's Gluten Free

Breakfast at the fair: Auntie M's Gluten Free

The Morning Edition team spent the fair scoping out what Minnesotans were having for breakfast. In this audio postcard, MPR News producer Gracie Stockton takes us to a beacon for those with dietary restrictions: Auntie M's Gluten-Free.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Heat advisories, air quality alerts, potential strong storms Tuesday

Heat advisories, air quality alerts, potential strong storms Tuesday

We’ll have one more hot day across eastern Minnesota with highs in the 90s as a heat advisory continues. Strong storms are possible late in the day ahead of a sharp cool front.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Crews battle wildfire in Carlton County

Crews battle wildfire in Carlton County

Crews continued battling a 40-acre wildfire Tuesday in Carlton County, with aircraft back on the scene to drop water on the flames that were first spotted the day before.
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota 'Blue Zones' creator launches Netflix docuseries on quest for long life

Minnesota 'Blue Zones' creator launches Netflix docuseries on quest for long life

Minnesota native Dan Buettner has launched a four-part docuseries on Netflix — “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” — learning about longevity from cultures and communities around the world. Buettner was a guest on Morning Edition with Cathy Wurzer to talk about his latest project.
by Cathy Wurzer

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One more hot day Tuesday south with storms possible

One more hot day Tuesday south with storms possible

Tuesday will be hot in southeast Minnesota with storms developing across central Minnesota. An air quality alert is posted for northwest Minnesota into early Wednesday. It will be cooler statewide Wednesday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Air quality alert for NW Minnesota; 1st day of school for many students

Tuesday is the first day of school for most districts. Other schools started before Labor Day. Minneapolis and St. Paul schools sent out reminders Monday, encouraging parents to make sure their kids are hydrated and are dressed for the heat. Most of Minnesota will be hot, but also smoky in some places, too.

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Royce Lewis hits a grand slam, drives in 6 as the AL Central-leading Twins crush Cleveland 20-6

Royce Lewis hits a grand slam, drives in 6 as the AL Central-leading Twins crush Cleveland 20-6

Royce Lewis had a grand slam and a career-high six RBIs, and Jorge Polanco and Carlos Correa added solo homers off Lucas Giolito in his Cleveland debut as the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins beat the Guardians 20-6.
by The Associated Press

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First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, again

First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, again

The White House says President Joe Biden tested negative, and will continue to be tested ahead of a planned trip to India this week. The first lady will remain in Delaware.
by Jennifer Ludden

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Senate returns and faces deadline to avoid shutdown and questions about McConnell

Senate returns and faces deadline to avoid shutdown and questions about McConnell

Congress faces a tight deadline to pass a short term spending bill and avoid a shutdown. Also Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell faces questions about his health following a second public episode.
by Deirdre Walsh and Kelsey Snell

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St. Paul weighs ban on marijuana smoking in city-controlled spaces

St. Paul weighs ban on marijuana smoking in city-controlled spaces

The proposal in the St. Paul City Council would make it a petty misdemeanor to smoke cannabis flower, cannabis products and hemp-derived products on city-controlled property.
by Jon Collins

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Rochester bets on geothermal to power a green future

Rochester bets on geothermal to power a green future

Since June, construction workers in Rochester, Minn., have been drilling deep wells that will eventually be part of a large geothermal network meant to heat and cool multiple buildings downtown. These systems aren’t an option for every city. But in locations that have the right geologic conditions, it’s a climate-friendly way to heat and cool.
by Catharine Richert

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Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer dies at 90

Lahammer, who spent 34 years with The Associated Press, died Monday morning at his home in Minnetonka from old age, his daughter Mary Lahammer told the AP.
by The Associated Press

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