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Stories from September 18, 2023

Hormel meatpackers back at work, for now, amid historic labor tensions around the U.S.

Hormel meatpackers back at work, for now, amid historic labor tensions around the U.S. and there may be some spectacular northern lights overnight and tomorrow before dawn in Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Union workers at Hormel Foods plant in Austin reject contract offer

Union employees at the Hormel Foods plant in Austin, Minn., are now working under a short-term contract extension, after voting last week to reject a long-term labor contract offer from the company.
by MPR News Staff

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Teen charged in shooting threat that shut down Edina High School

Prosecutors on Monday charged a Minneapolis teen with two felonies for allegedly making a threat outside Edina High School last week.
by Matt Sepic

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Judge dismisses pipeline protest charges against 3 Native women

Judge dismisses pipeline protest charges against 3 Native women

In a forceful opinion, District Court Judge Leslie Metzen wrote that as respected members of Anishinaabe tribes, Winona LaDuke, Tania Aubid and Dawn Goodwin were exercising their free speech rights and spiritual beliefs.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Sewing thread lifeline: Weekly gatherings help Afghan refugees build community in Minnesota

Sewing thread lifeline: Weekly gatherings help Afghan refugees build community in Minnesota

Hundreds of Afghan refugees have made their way to Minnesota since the fall of Kabul two years ago. It can be a tough transition, but efforts to help them build a community here now include a cultural touchstone for many Afghans: sewing.
by Tim Nelson

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Minnesota picks Taylor Heise 1st in the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League draft

Minnesota picks Taylor Heise 1st in the inaugural Professional Women’s Hockey League draft

Minnesota with its second-round pick drafted American goaltender Nicole Hensley to add to its group led by Heise and free agent signings Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein.
by The Associated Press

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With raptor migration underway, meet two birds that may be passing through your neighborhood

With raptor migration underway, meet two birds that may be passing through your neighborhood

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Lori Arent, Assistant Director of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center, to get to know two birds on the move in Minnesota this month.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

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Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault on 50 years covering Black lives

Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault on 50 years covering Black lives

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Charlayne Hunter-Gault about the award-winning journalist’s latest book, her conversation with Nelson Mandela, how she made history and why Black history needs to be told.
by Angela Davis

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Northern lights could put on a show overnight

Northern lights could put on a show overnight

A University of Alaska-Fairbanks forecast indicates “highly active” auroras may be visible as far south as the Twin Cities area into early Tuesday morning. NOAA has issued a geomagnetic storm watch.
by Paul Huttner

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Debris has been located in search for the F-35 jet that went missing

Debris has been located in search for the F-35 jet that went missing

The pilot ejected safely from the fighter jet near Charleston, S.C. Now the Marines want the public's help in finding the aircraft, which is part of a training and demonstration squadron.
by Bill Chappell

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Outside group looks to add reforms to MPD labor contract

Outside group looks to add reforms to MPD labor contract

The group “Mpls for a Better Police Contract” is proposing 22 recommendations for the city council when negotiating a new contract with the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alanna Elder

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Meet the woman who discovered an invasive insect in Minnesota

Meet the woman who discovered an invasive insect in Minnesota

Citizen scientist Krista Menzel describes herself as a “crazy bug lady.” She’s the woman who discovered an invasive insect’s presence in Minnesota this summer.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Minneapolis Animal Care and Control: 'Where animals go to live'

Minneapolis Animal Care and Control: 'Where animals go to live'

Like many animal shelters around the country, Minneapolis Animal Care and Control is dealing with an influx of pet surrenders, due in part to COVID-era eviction protections expiring.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Steve and Mary Grove: Boosting each other and Minnesota

Steve and Mary Grove: Boosting each other and Minnesota

The Star Tribune’s new publisher Steve Grove and startup investor Mary Grove met when they were both working at Google. Today, they’re each other’s biggest fans and big believers in the potential of Minnesota. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the married couple as part of her Power Pairs series.  
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Hunter Biden sues IRS over release of his tax records

Hunter Biden sues IRS over release of his tax records

Among other things, Biden is seeking $1,000 for each unauthorized disclosure and attorneys fees.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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Rainy week did not alleviate spread of drought

Rainy week did not alleviate spread of drought

Drought remained an issue as we entered the second week of September, but rain has started to trickle in. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with retired meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley about the rainy weather in their weekly weather chat.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Above-normal temps return; aurora may be visible overnight into Tuesday

Above-normal temps return; aurora may be visible overnight into Tuesday

Clouds will increase some Monday and it will be warmer with highs well into the 70s for most. Southern Minnesota will see 80s Tuesday through Friday with rain possible late week.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Navigating marijuana legalization in greater Minnesota

Navigating marijuana legalization in greater Minnesota

It’s been more than a month since marijuana became legal in Minnesota and cities around the state are still working to integrate the new law seamlessly.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Officials say 5 prisoners sought by the U.S. in a swap with Iran have flown out of Tehran

Officials say 5 prisoners sought by the U.S. in a swap with Iran have flown out of Tehran

Flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed a Qatar Airways flight take off at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, which has been used for exchanges in the past. Iranian state media soon after said the flight had left Tehran.
by The Associated Press

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'The Care and Keeping of You,' American Girl's guide to puberty, turns 25

'The Care and Keeping of You,' American Girl's guide to puberty, turns 25

“The Care and Keeping of You” from American Girl eased the adolescent anxieties of the millennial and Gen Z girls who read it. Now the book is marking its 25th anniversary.
by Tilda Wilson

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Warming trend this week with rain potential later in the week

Warming trend this week with rain potential later in the week

Monday will be warmer with increasing high clouds and the chance of an isolated shower in southern Minnesota. Tuesday and Wednesday will bring highs in the 80s south.
by Sven Sundgaard

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St. Paul City Council to vote on cannabis use; State Patrol finishes DWI crackdown

The St. Paul city council has scheduled a vote Wednesday on where people can smoke cannabis openly in the city. The current version prohibits smoking marijuana in parks and within 25 feet of entrances of public buildings and workplaces. The State Patrol just finished a DWI crackdown. As of last week, more than 19 thousand drivers were tagged for impaired driving. The state department of public safety also says arrests for driving while drugged have gone up nearly 100 percent between 2018 and 2022 compared to previous years. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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In the tale of 5 presidential impeachments, how will the latest one stack up?

In the tale of 5 presidential impeachments, how will the latest one stack up?

House Republicans have launched an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. But this case is different — both in substance and in process — than those of former presidents Nixon, Clinton and Trump.
by Tamara Keith

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Nutrient producing microbes win over farmers but skeptics doubtful

Nutrient producing microbes win over farmers but skeptics doubtful

A growing number of farmers are using nitrogen producing bacteria as an alternative to the polluting synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, but some soil health experts are skeptical of the new products.
by Dan Gunderson

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