Stories from May 6, 2024

Ahead of Tuesday address, Minneapolis mayor discusses housing and homelessness
Ahead of his State of the City address Tuesday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke with MPR News host Tom Crann in a wide-ranging interview. On the agenda: a tough 2024 budget year, potentially steep property tax increases, homeless encampments and the city’s housing wins.
Equal Rights Amendment takes step forward in the Minnesota Legislature
DFL Leaders want to put a constitutional amendment before Minnesota voters in 2026 that would extend to abortion rights and gender identity. It differs from a version that cleared the state Senate.
Tribal members reflect on 100th anniversary of Indian Citizenship Act at Minnesota Capitol
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act, which gave Native Americans U.S. citizenship. Representatives of Minnesota’s 11 sovereign tribal nations gathered at the state Capitol to reflect on accomplishments, and what more needs to be done.
President Trump will campaign in Minnesota next week after twice coming up short in the state. And state legislators and Minneapolis council members say they have an updated wage proposal for rideshare drivers.
Lawmakers, Minneapolis council members reach rideshare driver deal — but Uber and Lyft aren’t on board
The agreement at the state Legislature would set both Minneapolis and statewide wages for drivers at $1.27 per mile and $0.49 per minute. Uber and Lyft say they’ll stop operations in Minnesota if the statewide legislation is enacted.
Pulitzer Prizes in journalism awarded to The New York Times, The Washington Post, AP and others
The New York Times and The Washington Post were awarded three Pulitzer Prizes apiece on Monday for work in 2023 that dealt with everything from the war in Gaza to gun violence, and The Associated Press won in the feature photography category for coverage of global migration to the U.S. 
Three people died and three others were critically injured in a head-on crash early Sunday in central Minnesota. The State Patrol said the crash may have involved drunken driving.
Biggest tornado outbreak in Twin Cities history came May 6, 1965
“You kids get inside. Your father called and there’s a tornado coming!” MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner recalls his mom’s words before six tornadoes tore through the western Twin Cities 59 years ago.
Trump to make 1st campaign stop in Minnesota of latest presidential run
After losing Minnesota twice, former President Donald Trump has been telling backers he has a chance to put the state on the map in 2024. He’ll come to a Republican Party fundraising dinner in St. Paul next week.
Duluth electric utility owner Allete sold for $6.2 billion
The parent company of Duluth-based utility Minnesota Power will go private after a $6.2 billion sale, which the company said was needed to help fund its green energy transition.
Minneapolis English teacher named Minnesota Teacher of the Year 2024
Ninth grade English teacher Tracy Byrd became a teacher in 2017 after leaving a career in the financial world. Colleagues on Sunday praised his dedication to students as a teacher and coach at Washburn High School, his alma mater. 
Disabled riders in Twin Cities weigh transit options as potential rideshare exit approaches
People with disabilities face limited choices for transportation — and some are worried about losing an option, if Uber and Lyft stick to their promises to leave Minneapolis in July. Other transit options are looking to fill the gap, but some users aren’t confident they can.
State of Democra-Z: Campus protests point to war as top of mind for young voters
The Israel-Hamas war is coming to the forefront of 2024 election. We asked Gen Z voters how the campus protests in Minnesota and nationwide are impacting their thoughts on the election.
Trump fined $1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial has fined him $1,000 for violating his gag order and has sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
Warm and windy Monday with showers and some thunder possible overnight
It’ll be a warm one Monday with temperatures well into the 70s for the afternoon. Showers and a few thunderstorms are possible overnight. The week will be unsettled with more rain chances. 
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Minnesota secures final spot in PWHL playoffs
Minnesota’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team is heading to the playoffs in its inaugural season.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah
The Israeli military on Monday ordered tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Rafah to evacuate, a move indicating Israel's offensive on Gaza's southmost area could be imminent.
Largest-ever marine reptile found with help from an 11-year-old girl
A father and daughter discovered fossil remnants of a giant ichthyosaur that scientists say may have been the largest-known marine reptile to ever swim the seas.
‘I did not feel like a human’: Brittney Griner tells NPR about detention in Russia
Griner's new memoir recounts being humiliated by guards, of the pain from squeezing her 6-foot-9 frame into cramped beds and cage, and cutting her locs because it was so cold that her hair froze.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says U.S. is in a space race to the moon with China
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told NPR he sees the U.S. in an urgent race with China to find water on the moon, and that he trusts SpaceX, despite Elon Musk's increasingly controversial profile.
Dwindling timeline, ethics probe test Minnesota lawmakers ability to complete work
The fate of a capital investment bill, a raft of budget bills, agreements on cannabis legislation and the potential for action on sports betting and a constitutional equal rights amendment all hang in the balance.
U of M mulling highest tuition bump since 2010 for in-state students
Interim President Jeff Ettinger’s budget for the next fiscal year proposes to slap a 4.5 percent tuition hike on in-state undergraduate students studying at the Twin Cities campus. If approved by the Board of Regents, that would be the highest annual tuition increase for Minnesota residents since 2010.