Stories from May 28, 2024

Defense set to present case after prosecution rests in Feeding Our Future trial
Prosecutors have rested their case in the trial of seven people accused of defrauding taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs. They haven’t said that all of the financial transactions were fraudulent, only that the vast majority were.
Cooler Tuesday night with a frost advisory northeast; sunshine Wednesday
We get a break from rain as high pressure clears the skies out and brings dry weather. Wednesday and Thursday will be warmer but rain moves into western Minnesota Thursday. 
Minneapolis has reached a tentative agreement with the city's police union. And Minnesota leaders say a team of emergency responders has been dispatched to Iowa to assist with storm assessment efforts there.
Pope Francis apologizes for using slur referring to gay men
“The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms” during a closed-door discussion among bishops earlier this month, according to a Vatican press official.
State agency approves loan for tribal cannabis facility over board's recommendation
The Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation has approved a $2.5 million loan to a subsidiary of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to build a cannabis growing facility in Brookston, despite its advisory board’s vote against it.
Appeals court overturns conviction in fatal shooting of Minneapolis teenager Deshaun Hill
In 2023, Cody Fohrenkam was found guilty of shooting and killing 15-year-old North High School student Deshaun Hill. But the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the state failed to prove that Fohrenkam’s statements were lawfully obtained.
Bette Nash, the world’s longest-serving flight attendant, dies at 88
She began her career with now-defunct Eastern Airlines at age 21 in 1957, when Dwight Eisenhower was president, flights between New York and D.C. cost $12 and “stewardesses,” as they were called, served lobster on platters and passed out cigarettes on board.
Inspiration and advice for summer gardening  
Minnesota growing seasons are getting longer and warmer with climate change. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two gardening experts about what that means for planting and taking care of your garden heading into summer.
Scattered showers Tuesday; sun returns Wednesday
Unsettled weather continues Tuesday with scattered showers for the eastern half of Minnesota. Sunshine returns for Wednesday bringing warmer temperatures.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have one last chance Tuesday night to stay alive in the Western Conference Finals. Defense attorneys in the Feeding Our Future trial are expected to start presenting their case this week. And Minnesota Democrats will gather later this week in Duluth for their state convention.
Twins take opener from Royals 6-5 with strong start from Ryan and homers by Miranda and Larnach
Joe Ryan pitched seven smooth innings for the Minnesota Twins, who got a two-run homer by Jose Miranda and a three-run shot from Trevor Larnach and hung on to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in the opener of a four-game series.
Armenians, Hmong and other groups feel U.S. race and ethnicity categories don't represent them
The federal government recently reclassified race and ethnicity groups in an effort to better capture the diversity of the United States, but some groups feel the changes are still missing the mark. Hmong, Armenian, Black Arab and Brazilian communities in the U.S. feel that they are not accurately represented in the official numbers that their government produces.
Laugh it out: Can humor ease tension in polarizing times?
This summer, the Minnesota Humanities Center is sponsoring a series of improv shows around the state with the hope of helping communities work together on the issues that divide them.