Stories from May 8, 2024

The Minneapolis City Council is expected to begin its consideration of the appointment of a new Civil Rights Dept director when it meets tomorrow. And a former Feeding Our Future employee told a jury today about how he conspired with others at the Twin Cities nonprofit to steal money from government child nutrition programs.
Minnesota Book Awards announces 2024 winners
The Minnesota Book Awards announced their 2024 winners on Tuesday.
Feeding Our Future witness says he helped set up fake meal sites during the pandemic
A former Feeding Our Future employee said in a federal courtroom in Minneapolis that he conspired with others at the Twin Cities nonprofit to steal money from government child nutrition programs. He said he received kickbacks disguised as consultant payments.
Proposed budget cuts come after SCSU relied on reserves, one-time funding to balance budgets
St. Cloud State University’s faculty union has just eight days to respond to a proposed axing of more than one-third of the school’s degree programs and 57 teaching positions.
Taliban affirms that stoning will be punishment for adulterers — especially women
In a recording, the group’s leader declared: “We will flog the women ... we will stone them to death in public [for crimes].” What does Islamic law say on the matter? And have stonings taken place?
How these University of Texas-Austin students view Gaza war protests on their campus
As campus protests against Israel’s war spread to colleges across the U.S., NPR’s Leila Fadel speaks with University of Texas at Austin students, on both sides, about their concerns and demands.
She was abused in Catholic school, then Sister Bernadette became a nun
Sister Mary Bernadette Newton grew up in Eau Claire, Wis. She went to Catholic school, and she was abused in the first and fifth grade. She never thought she would become a nun after that, but then it became her life’s calling.
Bill to create state office for emergency medical services passes house, passage uncertain in senate
The bill would create a new Office of Emergency Medical Services in Minnesota. The office’s responsibilities would replace those of the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board.
Brooklyn Park teen sentenced to 11 years for murder
Foday Kamara, 17, was sentenced Wednesday for the murder of 23-year-old Zaria McKeever in 2022. Kamara broke into McKeever’s apartment and fatally shot her.
Our favorite health and wellness advice
MPR News host Angela Davis revisited some of our favorite health and wellness shows. Discover how much you do and don’t know about your nose, hear the latest research on colon cancer and learn about addressing loneliness. 
Sandhill crane shot and killed in central Minnesota. DNR seeking tips
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking tips and information on a shooting of a sandhill crane from a roadway northeast of Clarissa in Todd County.
Jamal Murray fined $100,000 for tossing objects onto court during Nuggets' loss to Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been fined $100,000 by the NBA but avoided a suspension for what the league described as “throwing multiple objects in the direction of a game official during live play.”
An ethics complaint against Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell will be on hold until next month — unless additional information comes out sooner related to her burglary arrest. And Gov. Tim Walz says negotiations will move ahead on rideshare driver protections that can also satisfy Uber and Lyft, the dominant players in the industry.
Biden heads to Wisconsin to laud a new Microsoft facility, meet voters — and troll Trump
President Joe Biden is racing into yet another battleground state. Biden on Wednesday is traveling to Racine, Wis., where he’ll highlight a decision by Microsoft to build a $3.3 billion data center that is expected to create roughly 2,000 jobs.
Rojas and France help the Mariners knock off the Twins 10-6
Josh Rojas and Ty France each hit an RBI single during Seattle’s four-run ninth inning, and the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 10-6. Cal Raleigh connected for a pinch-hit grand slam in the seventh for Seattle, which has won three of four.
Why wonky building codes could be key in reducing state’s climate impact
Building codes set minimum safety requirements for how new homes should be designed and constructed. But they can also be an important behind-the-scenes tool to fight climate change.
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert wins record-tying 4th Defensive Player of the Year award
Rudy Gobert, the Minnesota center, was announced Tuesday as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year for a record-tying fourth time — joining Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace.