Stories from August 16, 2024

Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew is set to become a U.S. citizen at the age of 78
Rod Carew, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, played for the Minnesota Twins from 1967 to 1985. He talked to MPR host Tom Crann about his path to American citizenship after migrating to the U.S. as a teenager.
Ask a Bookseller: ‘Bitch: On the Female of the Species’ by Lucy Cooke
On The Thread’s Ask a Bookseller series, we talk to independent booksellers all over the country to find out what books they’re most excited about right now. Carolyn Chin of Books on First recommends “Bitch: On the Female of the Species” by Lucy Cooke
Scattered showers with smoky skies; weekend roundup
Air quality alert out for portions of northwest Minnesota. Scattered rain showers continue into Friday evening, with isolated chances early Saturday. Pleasant temperatures expected this weekend.
The overall number of reported violent crime in Minnesota last year was lower than the previous year, according to the latest data released today by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. And investigators suspect that a semi-truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he struck four other vehicles near Duluth this week and killed four people.
Heading into DNC, Rep. Ilhan Omar expresses need for unity in Democratic Party
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar survived a primary challenge Tuesday from Don Samuels. Two years ago, Samuels came close to an upset, losing by only two points. This year, Omar prevailed by about 13 percentage points. She joined Tom Crann on All Things Considered to talk about her campaign and the Harris-Walz ticket.
Reports of violent crime were down across Twin Cities, Minnesota in 2023
The seven-county metro area experienced an 8.2 percent decrease in violent crime including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Greater Minnesota saw a 3.4 percent drop in violence compared to 2022.
Wildfire smoke returns to Minnesota this weekend
Canadian wildfire smoke will bring unhealthy air quality to parts of Minnesota this weekend. But the state has so far avoided the repeated air quality alerts of last summer.
Officers' use of force ruled justified in shooting of man outside Woodbury Target store
The Washington County Attorney says a sheriff’s deputy and police officer were justified in their use of force when they shot and wounded a man outside a Target store in Woodbury earlier this year.
How to say ‘Kamala’ — and why it makes a difference
As Vice President Harris has risen up in the political world, the name “Kamala” is getting more airtime. And on the campaign trail, Harris’ name is often intentionally mispronounced by her opponent.
Sun Country flight attendants vote to authorize strike
That move does not mean a strike will happen — but it does authorize union leaders to call one, if contract talks break down.
Critical DMs: Minnesota-made comics
Critical DMs are lightly edited Slack conversations by members of the MPR News arts team about Minnesota art and culture. This week, arts editor Max Sparber, senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle and arts reporter Jacob Aloi discuss locally created comics.
COVID-19 activity continues to increase in Minnesota over last 8 weeks
In the week ending Aug. 3, 218 Minnesotans were admitted to hospitals throughout the state with COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s most recent data. This is the eighth consecutive week of increasing COVID hospitalizations, starting from a low point of 58 admissions in the first week of June.
How to defeat 'The Age of Grievance'
In his new book, columnist Frank Bruni argues that a culture of grievance in America is splintering our personal lives, sabotaging our culture and swamping our politics. But there is a way out.
Summer is winding down slightly cooler than normal
Daylight in Minnesota is shortening as summer winds down with cooler-than-average temperatures.
Morning Announcements for Aug. 16
Here are the morning announcements for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Southbound I-35E will be closed from the I-35 split in the northern Twin Cities to I-694 over the weekend. And the Minneapolis City Council has approved a $275,000 settlement with a man who alleged he was choked and punched by a police officer in 2020. 
More spotty showers Friday, then a pretty nice weekend
Our system slowly pushes east with scattered showers continuing Friday. Clouds will decrease Saturday. There could be a few lingering showers Saturday. Sunday looks dry and sunny.
Napheesa Collier returns from the Olympic break to help the Lynx beat the Mystics, 79-68
Napheesa Collier had 17 points and 12 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season, Courtney Williams added 14 points and five assists, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Washington Mystics 79-68.
Harris wants to give families a big tax break for a new baby
The Harris campaign says she'd give families $6,000 when they have a new baby, and would restore the pandemic-era child tax credit, too. It's part of an economic plan focused on the cost of living.
Water treaty between Mexico and U.S. faces biggest test in 80 years
The water-sharing systems between Mexico and the U.S. are facing one of the biggest tests in their 80-year history after Mexico has fallen behind on billions of gallons of water deliveries.
Duluth’s iconic Chester Bowl on cusp of expanding its historic ski chalet
A community-run downhill ski area in the center of the city of Duluth that once trained generations of Olympic ski jumpers may soon begin a $3.8 million renovation and expansion of its chalet.
10 key data points and graphs about loss of shoreline on Minnesota’s lakes
Inspired by MPR News’ series, “Trouble by the water: Minnesota’s vanishing natural lakeshores?” This supplement goes deeper into the trends and data, including some county- and even lake-level data about Minnesota’s most beloved resource: our beautiful lakes.
In NW Wisconsin, a county finds paying homeowners to keep shorelines natural pays off
Advocates concerned about Minnesota’s vanishing wild shorelines often cite Burnett County’s success with a program that sends a check each year to property owners who follow its lakeshore rules. At Warner Lake, it’s helping keep the water clean.
TikTok fights for survival in latest filing as ban approaches
In the latest salvo in the fight over the hit app’s future in the U.S., lawyers for TikTok say the government’s push to ban TikTok is unconstitutional and lacks proof that TikTok is a real security risk.
Minneapolis pays $275k to man beaten, choked by cop during riot
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved a $275,000 settlement for a man whom a police officer allegedly punched and choked in 2020. While the payout to Asante Simmons pales in comparison to other police misconduct cases, it pushes the amount of money the city has paid out since 2006 above $94 million.