Stories from October 19, 2023

'Inappropriate, outrageous, illegal': Public defenders, AG challenge judge’s sentences prohibiting probationers from voting
The Mille Lacs County District Court judge in several sentencing orders barred defendants convicted on felony charges from voting as a term of their probation — seemingly in violation of state law.
Minnesota unemployment rate unchanged at 3.1 percent in September
Minnesota employers added 8,000 jobs in September while the state’s unemployment rate was unchanged, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
United Airlines will board passengers by window, middle, then aisle seats
Passengers in economy class will see the changes soon. Boarding remains unchanged for first class, business class and pre-boarding. The change is estimated to cut boarding times by up to 2 minutes.
Hennepin County Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette will serve as the city's Commissioner of Community Safety, a role that oversees the city's police, fire, 911, emergency response and neighborhood safety efforts. And last night, hundreds gathered at the State Capitol for a rally for Palestinians. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
Xcel Energy seeks to grow wind energy in southwest Minnesota
The Minneapolis-based utility is asking for proposals for about 1,200 megawatts of new wind projects. That's enough to power more than 485,000 homes in an average year.
Police in Cottage Grove say they executed a search warrant and talked with a person who confessed to dumping the bodies of eight dogs along a road near the Mississippi River last weekend.
Climate change has some moving to the Midwest
Go Midwest, young man? That’s the title of a recent piece in Time Magazine that touts the Midwest as a place people will likely move to in the future. So which factors make the Midwest a potentially attractive place to relocate?
MEA weekend: Things to do on staycation in Minnesota
For families not traveling this MEA weekend, there are plenty of activities closer to home in Minnesota that will keep the kids entertained while they’re out of school.
Three Minnesota Twins players among Gold Glove finalists
Three Minnesota Twins players are among the finalists for this year’s Gold Glove Awards. The Twins are hoping to have the team’s first Gold Glove winner since 2017, when both Brian Dozier and Byron Buxton won.
Biden calls Israel trip a gamble, readies prime time speech
Biden says he knew he had a lot on the line during his 31-hour dash to Tel Aviv. Now he'll follow that with an Oval Office speech to push for foreign spending, another gamble he can't afford to lose.
NCAA probing sign-stealing allegations against Michigan football
Michigan says it has been notified by the NCAA that football program is being investigated for allegedly stealing signs. The university said it is cooperating with the investigation.
Weekend weather: Dry in most of Minnesota; seasonal temps
Most of Minnesota will have a rain-free weekend. We have your weekend weather outlook, plus an update on fall colors.
Minnesota heads to Iowa City looking to break No. 24 Hawkeyes' stranglehold on Floyd of Rosedale
Minnesota and Iowa have played for the Floyd of Rosedale every year since 1935. Floyd has resided with the 24th-ranked Hawkeyes for eight straight years and 18 of the last 22. The Gophers' next opportunity to lay claim to Floyd comes Saturday when they visit Kinnick Stadium.
The school board elections you won’t want to ‘sleep on’
School board elections are at the center of local politics. But they’ve become increasingly polarized. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why culture war issues are suddenly playing a role in who gets elected to local school boards.
Minneapolis appoints new public safety commissioner
The Minneapolis City Council Thursday voted 12-1 to appoint Hennepin County Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette to lead the city’s public safety efforts. 
Rain eased drought conditions across most of Minnesota
After heavy rainfall late last week, drought conditions continue to improve significantly for most of Minnesota. Drought hangs on for most of north-central to southeastern Minnesota.
Lingering clouds Thursday with a few sprinkles north and east
There will be lingering clouds Thursday with some sprinkles possible in northeast Minnesota into western Wisconsin. Another round of showers is possible mainly northeast Friday.
The Minneapolis City Council will decide today whether to appoint Hennepin County Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette to lead the city's public safety efforts. St. Paul councilmembers approved a zoning overhaul allowing for more multi-family housing. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Palestinians trapped in Gaza find nowhere is safe during Israel's relentless bombing
Israeli airstrikes have pounded locations across the Gaza Strip, including parts of the south that Israel had declared as safe zones. The attacks early Thursday have heightened fears among more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in the territory that nowhere was safe.
Rally for Palestinians draws crowd to Minnesota Capitol
A rally in support of Palestinians drew a large crowd to the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday night. Demonstrators protested Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and called for an end to both the siege of Gaza and American support for Israel.
This is how the Republican Party became so strongly pro-Israel
The GOP hasn't always been so focused on Israel, but evangelicals, partisan sorting and neoconservatism all helped change that. Those ties take center stage now as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.
Advocates hope new Twin Cities zine fest kindles interest in queer, trans art
Zines — small, self-published magazines — have long offered a way to connect people around specific interests, especially in the arts. Thanks to a Twin Cities archivist, the first Midwest Queer & Trans Zine Fest will debut this weekend in Minneapolis.
Art Hounds: 'Uncle Vanya,' but make it hilarious
It’s a Minnesota music double music feature on Art Hounds this week. The Winona Symphony Orchestra performs, featuring Minnesota composer Libby Larsen. The Bakken Ensemble celebrates the bassoon. And “Life Sucks” at the Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis.
'Making grandfriends': Mankato care model draws kids, seniors together
Memory loss can be an especially isolating experience as people age. A new child care and memory care model in Mankato seeks to bring generations together through connections and joy.
Netflix raises prices for its premium plan
Netflix said it's raising the price for its most expensive streaming service by $2 to $23 per month in the U.S., and its lowest-priced, ad-free streaming plan to $12 — another $2 bump.
Blaine family mourns relatives killed in Israel-Hamas war
The Israel-Hamas war has tragically affected one local family in Blaine, Minn. A bomb strike Sunday in southern Gaza killed several members of Fatma Abumousa’s family and critically injured others.