Stories from September 18, 2024

Officials search for more staff, other fixes for growing child care crunch in Duluth
Officials, providers and parents gathered in Duluth this week to discuss possible solutions to the child care crisis in the city. The news three large day care centers will close soon is adding to an already large shortage of child care slots
Forget tedious paper applications, Americans can now renew passports online
The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport had expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year.
St. Paul City Council passes zoning ordinance for cannabis businesses
The new rules mirror those of liquor stores in St. Paul. The ordinance requires 24/7 video monitoring of the store’s sales areas and entrances and exits.
Vance says Haitian migrants with protected status are ‘illegal aliens’ to be deported
The Republican vice presidential nominee continues to rail against Haitian migrants living in Ohio, though many have Temporary Protected Status, as the GOP escalates its hardline immigration stance.
Two rounds of severe thunderstorms are possible across Minnesota over the next couple of days. And in a recent message to families, Minneapolis Public Schools says measles has been identified in at least one of the district's schools.
Report: Minnesota youth have huge potential to shape the 2024 presidential election
Voters ages 18 to 29 could decide Minnesota’s pick for president, according to nonpartisan research center CIRCLE. They could also impact the outcome in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. 
In break with tradition, the Teamsters will not endorse a presidential candidate
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union of 1.3 million workers, will not endorse Vice President Harris or former President Donald Trump for president, after decades of backing Democrats.
‘This is affecting a lot of people in my community‘: Haitians in Minnesota stand strong amid hateful rhetoric
Djenane Saint Juste is an author, dancer and the founder of the Haitian arts organization Afoutayi. She said that the political discussion around Haitians has deeply impacted her community here in Minnesota.
White House hosts first meeting with Trump, Harris transition teams
The outgoing administration plans to smooth the handoff to whomever wins in November. The meeting and invitation to both parties’ representatives are required under the Presidential Transition Act, which mandates that the designated candidate representatives serve in an advisory capacity.
Scattered rain and thunder, slight severe risk
A slow-moving cool front will spark scattered showers and thunderstorms across Minnesota through Thursday.
Gas pipeline approved near pipestone quarry sacred to Indigenous people, with conditions
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a permit to Magellan Pipeline Company along a route near a pipestone quarry considered sacred by many tribal nations. Tribal input over the past year resulted in the commission requiring the pipeline company to consult with tribes.
John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump’s GOP?
This year, Thune has jumped out to a pace meant to exhaust his rivals. But the drive to become leader has forced Thune into a delicate pose: contrasting Trump’s style of politics, but stopping short of the direct confrontations that have ended the careers of other Republicans.
Local lawmakers struggle with Duluth child care crisis
Lawmakers, parents and child care providers gathered for a roundtable to discuss possible solutions after the announcement of closures of three child care centers.
What to know about the two waves of deadly explosions that hit Lebanon and Syria
Just one day after pagers used by hundreds of members of militant group Hezbollah exploded, more electronic devices detonated in Lebanon Wednesday in what appeared to be a second wave of sophisticated, deadly attacks that targeted an extraordinary number of people.
Is your runny nose due to fall allergies or COVID?
Fall can be hard on our respiratory health. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with an allergist and an infectious disease doctor about how to diagnose, treat and prevent the things that make us sneeze, wheeze and cough.
At least 1 Minneapolis school reports measles case, district stresses up-to-date vaccinations
District officials say they’re working with the state department of health to notify close contacts. They did not say how many cases there are or what school they’re associated with, citing privacy reasons.
Morning Announcements for Sept. 18
Here are the morning announcements for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
 ‘Rez Ball’ is a story for everyone
The Netflix film directed by Sydney Freeland and co-written by Sterlin Harjo is a story centered on a Native American basketball team fighting to be recognized as the champions they are.
Willi Castro hits a 2-run homer, Twins down Guardians 4-1 to stay locked into AL wild-card spot
Willi Castro hit a two-run homer, Matt Wallner had two RBIs and the Minnesota Twins bounced back from a crushing loss in the series opener to beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 and stay locked into the final AL wild card. 
WNBA playoff picture starting to come into focus as Liberty clinch top seed and Minnesota second
More than half of the WNBA playoff seeds are set with the New York Liberty clinching the No. 1 seed. The Liberty topped the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night to earn homecourt throughout the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. 
Iconic Tupperware Brands seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Tupperware Brands has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company that revolutionized food storage decades ago says it plans to continue operating and will seek court approval for a sale.
Trump and Harris are taking a brief break from campaigning in battleground states
The presidential candidates are taking a brief break from campaigning in battleground states. On Wednesday, Donald Trump will be in suburban New York. Also Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris plans to speak at a Congressional Hispanic Caucus conference.
Another warm, muggy day with storm chances increasing into Thursday
We’ll have yet another very warm and muggy day Wednesday with some spotty showers and storms. A better chance of storms develops overnight Wednesday and late Thursday ahead of a cool front. 
Minnesotans who lost a home for failing to pay property taxes in the past few years could be entitled to compensation. And Minneapolis police say they misidentified a man accused of pistol whipping two residents of a north Minneapolis shelter.
NPR Exclusive: U.S. overdose deaths plummet, saving thousands of lives
After decades of devastating increases driven by fentanyl and other toxic street drugs, overdose deaths are dropping sharply in much of the U.S. The trend could mean roughly 20,000 fewer deaths in 2024.
Georgia election officials worry a GOP-led board will OK last-minute voting changes
Georgia election officials have said they are “gravely concerned that dramatic changes” approved by the State Election Board “will disrupt the preparation and training processes already in motion.”
Want to keep good workers? Praise them, a new study finds
New research from Gallup and Workhuman finds that employees who receive recognition on the job are 45 percent less likely to leave their jobs. Younger workers, in particular, say appreciation is key.
Minnesotans who lost their home to tax forfeiture may be entitled to money. Here’s how to claim it
The U.S. Supreme Court declared Minnesota’s process for handling tax-forfeited properties unconstitutional. Now, Geraldine Tyler and other affected Minnesotans stand to receive thousands of dollars as part of a legal settlement. 
Tracking the exploding pagers used in apparent Israeli attack on Hezbollah
Gold Apollo denied all involvement with the explosive pagers, telling NPR outside its offices in Taiwan that it was a Budapest-based company called BAC Consulting which manufactured the devices.
The FBI is investigating packages sent to election officials in more than 15 states
The FBI and the U.S. Postal Service were investigating the origin of suspicious packages that have been sent to elections officials in more than 15 states. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Report: Cancer diagnoses are more common but so is surviving
A new report shows rapid development of new cancer treatment and detection is helping people live more. But more people are also getting diagnosed, and at younger ages.
Trump held his first campaign event since the apparent assassination attempt
Trump’s town hall in Michigan was shorter than his typical campaign rally, but he used the event to discuss everything from the failed attempts on his life to a promise to boost the auto industry.