Stories from June 10, 2024

In historic contract cycle teachers saw highest raises, slowest pace to settle in 20 years
According to Education Minnesota, which represents nearly all public schools teacher’s unions, there are still six districts with unsettled contracts. For those with a new contract, some teachers are getting the highest raises in their careers.
‘Beyond the Light’: Minneapolis artist Layne Kennedy reveals the stories behind photographs in new book
Visual artist Layne Kennedy has spent a career taking photos. Now, he’s collected dozens of his images — and the stories behind them — in a new book.
A 4-year-old reported missing Sunday was found dead in Minnehaha Creek this morning after having apparently drowned. And an MPR News, KARE-11, Star Tribune Minnesota poll shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in a close race in the state. According to the poll conducted last week, Biden had support from 44.5 percent support compared to Trump's 40.6. That's considered a dead heat given the poll's margin of sampling error.
Blocked from asylum, many migrants juggle their choices: Try to cross again or give up
“We made the mistake of crossing illegally … But that’s the desperation of a person who fears for the safety of his loved ones,” says an immigrant deported days after crossing through the Arizona border.
Here’s how companies like Target may decide which prices to cut
Companies are responding to consumer frustration by lowering prices on thousands of items. An expert breaks down the pricing strategies they may use to determine what products make the cut.
New presidential poll analyst says, ‘We can’t say for certain who’s ahead’
Voters are split down the middle for the 2024 presidential election. An analyst broke down the polling results, including why we can’t say for certain who’s leading in Minnesota.
Climate change linked to rising home insurance rates in Minnesota
Minnesota was the only state to see losses in the home insurance market in six of the last seven years, the New York Times reported. The losses correlate with increasing home damage from severe weather.
Tuesday morning showers; severe risk Wednesday
Showers and a few thunderstorms are possible Tuesday. A higher risk for severe storms Wednesday.
What to know about Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier’s first hearing in more than a decade
Peltier has spent most of his life in prison since his conviction in the 1975 killings of two FBI agents in South Dakota. Supporters have long argued that Peltier was wrongly convicted and say this parole hearing may be his last chance at freedom.
Financial advice for new grads in Minnesota
MPR News host Angela Davis talked with two financial experts about financial advice for students who are leaving high school or college and starting in their first jobs.
In ‘Consent,’ an author asks: ‘Me too? Did I have the agency to consent?’
Jill Ciment wrote about a relationship she had with a teacher when she was very young — that turned into a marriage — in “Half a Life.” Now, eight years after his death at 93, she reconsiders their relationship in light of the #MeToo movement.
Nice Monday with evening rain; warmer, stormy midweek
High pressure will keep skies mostly sunny Monday. The next disturbance will spread showers across the state Monday night into Tuesday morning. More storms are possible Wednesday. 
A new MPR News, Star Tribune, KARE-11 Minnesota Poll shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in a close race in the state — five months before the election. And a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “Kids Count Data Book” finds Minnesota is holding steady in its ranking as fifth in the nation for child well-being. 
McBride hits 7 3s, scores season-high 32 as Lynx beat Storm 83-64
Kayla McBride hit seven 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 32 points, Napheesa Collier scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx beat Seattle 83-64 and snapped the Storm’s six-game win streak. 
WNBA star Caitlin Clark doesn't make the USA Olympics basketball team
The Indiana Fever rookie confirmed she wasn't selected to join the national team at the Summer Games in Paris. The tentative roster includes stars Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart.
Benny Gantz resigns as Israeli war cabinet member
Gantz followed through on his plan to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government on Sunday citing its failure to advance a plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza.
New Minnesota poll has Biden with narrow edge over Trump as both remain unpopular
A new MPR News/KARE 11/Star Tribune poll has President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump running close in Minnesota. Most of those surveyed disapprove of Biden’s job performance and Trump's standing. Most have made up their minds on the election.
Once called Nantucket fever, this nasty tick-borne illness is on the rise
Once called Nantucket fever, the tick-borne illness babesios is spreading from the Northeast into the Midwest. A clinical trial starts this month to see if an anti-malaria drug can treat the disease.