Stories from November 8, 2023

3 are charged with running sex ring that catered to politicians, military and others
DOJ says possibly hundreds of clients include government contractors with security clearances, doctors, lawyers, elected officials, military officers, professors and executives at tech companies.
The state Supreme Court has tossed out a challenge to former President Donald Trump’s ballot status next year. Also, the Minneapolis City Council races have unofficial winners, including current council president Andrea Jenkins. This is the evening MPR News update, hosted by Nancy Lebens. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota Supreme Court rejects bid to bar Trump from primary ballot
The court on Wednesday said that the primary is a party-run process. It didn’t rule out revisiting the issue later of whether former President Donald Trump can appear on Minnesota general election ballots in 2024 if he wins the Republican nomination.
FDA approves Zepbound, a new obesity drug that will take on Wegovy
Eli Lilly said the obesity medicine, which helped adults in clinical studies lose about 20% of their body weight, will be available in the U.S. by the end of the year. The list price will be $1,060.
Judge finds mosque arson suspect mentally incompetent
A federal magistrate judge on Wednesday ruled that a man accused of setting fires inside two Minneapolis mosques earlier this year is not mentally competent to stand trial. Jackie Rahm Little, 36, of Plymouth, Minn., is facing arson and hate crime charges.
Meet Nadia Mohamed, St. Louis Park's newly elected mayor and first Somali councilmember
Minnesota held a number of historic mayoral races across the state, including the election of the next mayor of St. Louis Park, Minn., Nadia Mohamed, who appears to be the first Somali mayor elected in the country.
Minneapolis City Council election results rundown: a nail biter and a more liberal council
The political makeup of the Minneapolis City Council will become more liberal after election results Wednesday show some progressive candidates likely gaining an edge in the body.
Emerging Farmers office pushes to expand diversity in farming
Lillian Otieno is the first director of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Office of Emerging Farmers. She was a coordinator with the office and its sole employee before state lawmakers voted to expand it in May 2023.
Russia says International Olympic Committee is giving Israel a pass on Gaza
Russia has been sanctioned by the IOC for actions taken as part of the invasion of Ukraine. Officials in Moscow say Israel is being treated differently by the IOC as fighting continues in Gaza.
What disaster creates: A Palestinian American artist investigates conflict
In Minneapolis, Palestinian American artist Lamia Abukhadra’s new light installation, “Not the Sunrise,” at the Hair + Nails gallery, juxtaposes images of the sun with the stark reality of the 2021 bombings in Gaza, challenging perceptions of conflict and media through art.
Minneapolis City Council President Jenkins survives strong election challenge
Andrea Jenkins narrowly defeated challenger and political newcomer Soren Stevenson to retain her 8th Ward seat. Jenkins’ unofficial victory is also a rare come-from-behind win.
EPA says 'further actions' needed to protect human health from nitrate in southeast Minnesota
Environmental groups petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying nitrate in the groundwater in southeast Minnesota’s karst region — largely from fertilizer and manure applied to crop land — poses an imminent danger to human health.
Are you tired of family drama?
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three therapists about how early family experiences shape us, and how to disentangle ourselves from the pain, hurt and conflict of dysfunctional family relationships.
Unfurled! Minnesota state flag public submissions revealed
Minnesotans hoping to influence the look of their new state flag like their stars and their loons — lots and lots of loons. There are loony ideas, too, including a pitch with a hot dish at the fore.
Winds increase late Wednesday; more snow showers north Thursday
Lingering rain and snow showers will depart northeastern Minnesota through the morning Wednesday. Winds will increase to the west. Temperatures will remain mild south. 
Shimmering galaxies revealed in new photos by European space telescope
Scientists have unveiled the first pictures taken by the European space telescope Euclid. The photos were revealed by the European Space Agency on Tuesday, four months after the telescope launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Lingering rain, snow showers for the North Shore early Wednesday
Snow and rain showers will linger north early Wednesday. Sunshine breaks out south Thursday and it will be windy statewide as cooler air moves in for a few days. 
A pod of orcas has sunk a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar
The pod rammed the boat's rudder for about 45 minutes. Authorities were able to get crew members to land safely, but their yacht was irreparably damaged.
It’s the morning after Election Day and results are rolling in. So far, there’s a major shakeup in store for Duluthians, a potential upset in the Minneapolis City Council ranks, a new tax coming to St. Paul and a mayor making history in St. Louis Park.
St. Paul elects school board members Allen, Carrillo, Franco, Valliant in sweep for teachers’ union
Voters chose four winners from seven candidates for the Saint Paul Public Schools board: Incumbent Chauntyll Allen, returning board member Yusef Carrillo, plus newcomers Carlo Franco and Erica Valliant.
Inside the weird and delightful origins of the jungle gym, which just turned 100
The history of the jungle gym, and its sibling the monkey bars, is full of weird and delightful twists and sub-plots that take us from Japan to suburban Chicago and delve into theoretical math.
Reinert easily wins Duluth mayoral contest over two-term incumbent Larson
A former Duluth City Council member and state legislator, Roger Reinert campaigned on a need for new leadership in the city while strengthening core services. He beat incumbent Emily Larson, winning 60 percent of Tuesday night’s vote.
Philadelphia elects first Black woman mayor
Pennsylvania voters have elected women for the first time to lead Philadelphia and the state’s second-largest county, which includes Pittsburgh. 
One of the most closely watched races this cycle is in Kentucky. Incumbent Andy Beshear is a blue governor in a red state, running in a race where national politics has been made a primary issue.
Houston mayor's race goes to runoff election
Houston, the fourth largest U.S. city, will have a runoff election between longtime Democratic State Senator John Whitmire and Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Ohio voters enshrine abortion access in constitution in latest statewide win for reproductive rights
Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, the latest victory for abortion rights supporters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.