Stories from October 12, 2023

Donald Trump's classified documents case gets new questions from judge and attorneys
At a hearing Thursday, prosecutors asked a U.S. district judge to decide whether a lawyer representing one of Trump's co-defendants in the Mar-a-Lago documents case has a conflict of interest.
Clock ticks for Metro Transit fare enforcement change
The Transit Rider Investment Program, or TRIP, was part of new legislation passed this year at the Capitol. The Metropolitan Council has to report on the activities of TRIP by Feb. 15 of each year, beginning in 2024.
Drought-easing rains through Friday
A soggy weather system brings significant rain through Friday.
Five law enforcement officers were wounded by gunfire this morning in central Minnesota. In Minneapolis, some members of the City Council are raising questions about Mayor Jacob Frey's proposal to build a new Third Precinct police facility.  Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.
The Sympathizer author's memoir is cocky and riveting — self-consciously constructed as if written for a standup audience and serving as a generous, one-stop primer for his fiction and scholarly work.
'In the North' – Minnesota’s first independent Indigenous museum opens in an 'ironic' location
The former Enbridge-occupied building in Park Rapids, Minn., where activists once protested the Line 3 pipeline, has been transformed into Giiwedinong, an independent museum highlighting Indigenous perspectives on treaty rights and environmental justice.
Follow Minnesota's green transition with MPR News Getting to Green series
Minnesota leaders set an ambitious goal to be carbon-neutral by 2050. What will it take to carry out Minnesota’s green energy transition? Here at MPR News we’re tracking Minnesota’s clean energy progress, in a series called Getting to Green.
All things Fargo-Moorhead from MPR News. Your source for local news stories, events and weather, updated weekdays. What do you want to know about the Fargo-Moorhead area today?
Processing that Twins loss, and other sports news
Sports guys Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer Thursday morning to process Wednesday’s Twins game and talk about what’s next in Minnesota sports.
Stillwater pastor on ministry's burnout problem
Reverend Karna Moskalik talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the burdens on faith leaders as well as what helps.
Rep. Dean Phillips weighs in on House speaker vote
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Representative Dean Phillips Thursday morning and asked him to share his perspective on the situation.
5 officers shot near Princeton, Minn.
MPR News digital editor Anna Haecherl gave MPR News host Cathy Wurzer an update, live from the scene.
This Australian writer might be the greatest novelist you've never heard of
Helen Garner, 80, embraces the many-sidedness of life. Her books crackle with curiosity and unpredictability — they win big prizes, kickstart controversies and say things other people rarely dare.
Rep. Dean Phillips speaks on Israel war, House Speaker election, potential run for president
Minnesota 3rd District Rep. Dean Phillips has been one of the more vocal members of Minnesota's delegations in recent weeks: He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to share thoughts about on the Hamas attacks in Israel, dysfunction in the U.S. House, and why he suggests someone challenge President Biden.
Minnesotans with ties to Israel, Gaza react to war
The death toll among Israelis and Palestinians continues to climb as civilians bear the brunt of what has become a devastating war, and Minnesotans with ties for the region.
5 law enforcement officers shot, wounded in central Minnesota
The five are members of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force. They were shot while executing a search warrant at a Benton County home, authorities said early Thursday afternoon. A suspect is in custody.
Widespread, slowly moving soaker arriving
Widespread rain will soak southern and central Minnesota, starting in the southwest Thursday morning and tracking northeast. Easterly winds will become blustery.
Hollywood studios break off strike talks with actors
Strike talks have broken off between Hollywood actors and studios. The alliance of studios and streaming services that negotiates with actors says the two sides are so far apart in their contract talks that there is no point in continuing. 
Widespread rain coming our way
Rain will spread out of Iowa and northward across Minnesota during the day Thursday and into Thursday night. Widespread amounts in excess of an inch are likely. Easterly winds could gust over 40 mph.
New proteins, better batteries: Scientists are using AI to speed up discoveries
New artificial intelligence tools are being rapidly developed across the sciences. They may not be able to solve every problem, but in some cases, they're shortening the time to new breakthroughs.
The Minnesota Twins made it further into the post season than they've been in many years, but the team lost Game 4 to the Houston Astros, ending the 2023 season. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
GOP's Scalise ends his bid to become House speaker after failing to secure the votes to win gavel
Republican Steve Scalise has ended his bid to become House speaker after failing to secure the votes to win the gavel. Scalise told GOP colleagues at a closed-door meeting late Thursday of his decision. 
Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv as Israel mobilizes along its border with Gaza
The arrival of the U.S. secretary of state is part of a diplomatic tour to show support for Israel following deadly attacks by Hamas militants. Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza.
Climate rules are coming for corporate America
U.S. regulators are finalizing rules that will make publicly traded companies disclose information about climate change. Other jurisdictions have been announcing similar requirements.
Book ban attempts on the rise in Minnesota schools
Occasional parent concerns about a book have morphed into confrontations with groups and parents coming in with long lists of titles they see as inappropriate. It’s happening across the nation and in Minnesota, where Bloomington schools face pressure to remove dozens of titles.
Art Hounds: Pine City blues
This week, Art Hounds recommend the play “The Pavilion” at Lyric Arts in Anoka, the Afro-Atlantic Playwright Festival at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, and Owen Brown's interactive exhibit “Myriorama” at the Veronique Wantz Gallery in Minneapolis. 
Astros power past Twins 3-2 in ALDS Game 4
Royce Lewis gave the Twins another big-moment home run — a line smash into the left-field seats with a similar trajectory to the one he hit in his first postseason at-bat in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series sweep over Toronto — but it wasn’t enough to keep Minnesota’s season going.
Families of hostages taken by Hamas militants are desperate amid threats of execution
Many Israelis are frantically looking for clues about loved ones believed to be held in Gaza. Ido Dan keeps watching a video that appears to show Hamas militants kidnapping his 12-year-old nephew.