Stories from October 17, 2024

The Minneapolis City Council today voted to establish a fee for carbon emissions, overriding a mayoral veto of the policy in a 9-2 vote. The new fee will charge polluters per pound of carbon dioxide emitted. And the council also passed measures intended to boost transparency of off-duty police work.
Florida digs out of mountains of sand swept in by back-to-back hurricanes
 Residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast are digging out from mountains of sand after Hurricanes Helene and Milton clobbered them with back-to-back hits in less than two weeks. Storm surge as high as 10 feet swept sand into communities.
Fentanyl deaths in the U.S. have dropped faster than expected, CDC says
If the downward trend holds, this year is expected to be the first since 2020 to see overdose deaths fall below the 100,000 mark. However, Black and Native American communities remain vulnerable.
Minneapolis City Council moves forward on carbon fee in override of mayoral veto
The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to move ahead with establishing a fee for the city’s biggest carbon dioxide emitters, overriding Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto. But councilmembers agreed to move the fee date back several months to give the city time to address concerns with the policy.
The flu shot is different this year, thanks to COVID
A strain of influenza appears to have disappeared from the planet since COVID. As a result, U.S. flu vaccines have been redesigned.
Why some young men feel aimless and isolated
What’s going on with young men? On Thursday, a masculinity researcher joined MPR News host Chris Farrell to talk about why some young men don’t have a sense of purpose and feel isolated and stuck.   
Critical fire weather conditions across Minnesota
Gusty southerly winds, low humidity levels, and drought-affected land will contribute to red flag warnings and heightened fire weather concerns across the state from Thursday into Friday.
Winner of 3M Young Scientist Challenge invents AI pesticide detector for produce
Fourteen-year-old Sirish Subash — a ninth-grader from Snellville, Ga. — was crowned the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge contest in St. Paul this week. He picked up a cash prize of $25,000 and the lesson that moms are always right.
Israel says Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is dead
The Israeli military says three militants were killed in an operation in Gaza and intelligence agents are examining whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was one of them.
Morning Announcements for Oct. 17
Here are the morning announcements for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
Minnesota's drought continues to expand
Minnesota’s drought continues to expand as dry weather persists. Portions of northeast Minnesota saw a little improvement thanks to rainfall last weekend.
Minnesota Lynx must find way to win two straight games for 5th WNBA title
The Minnesota Lynx got the start they wanted. They just couldn’t finish off the New York Liberty. Now the Lynx will need to win two straight games to win a record fifth WNBA championship after losing 80-77 to the Liberty on a last-second shot by Sabrina Ionescu Wednesday night in Game 3 of the Finals.
The Lynx lost a last-second thriller to the New York Liberty Wednesday night 80-77. And the Republican Party of Minnesota is part of a lawsuit against Hennepin County regarding the 2024 election.
CVS and Walgreens are ailing. Here’s why
America’s biggest pharmacy chains are closing hundreds of stores, laying off thousands of workers and rethinking their role in our lives.
Red flag warning with another dry, windy day Thursday
It’ll be another dry, windy day Thursday with warmer weather. Temperatures will continue to warm up Friday into the weekend. There will be a few light rain showers Friday into Saturday. 
How to avoid sharing election misinformation
The 2024 election season is here. As we’re waiting to learn the final results, it can be easy to be duped by false or misleading information. Here are four tips to help you avoid spreading election related misinformation.
‘Horrifying’ mistake to harvest organs from a living person averted, witnesses say
At a hospital in Kentucky, witnesses say, a man who had been declared dead after a drug overdose was moving and visibly crying as he was prepped for surgery to donate his vital organs. The surgery was stopped and the man is alive three years later.
Minneapolis council members seek more oversight of off-duty police work
The controversial system has previously been called out by the Department of Justice for undermining officer supervision, with hourly rates for officers reaching up to $175 per hour — none of which goes to the city. 
Art Hounds: 'Halloween Tree' provides family seasonal thrills
'Halloween Tree' provides family seasonal thrills; also: theater about mental health and a new version of a classic monster story.
Trump tried a friendlier pitch with Latino voters at a Univision town hall
During a town hall outside Miami, Trump touted his record on the economy, yet called Jan. 6 a "day of love" and would not back off false claims about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
JD Vance says 'no,' he does not think Trump lost in 2020
Vance has faced repeated questions on the campaign trail about whether Trump lost in 2020. On Wednesday, he gave his most direct answer to date, answering "no" in response to a reporter's question.
Liberty beat Lynx 80-77, lead WNBA Finals 2-1
The Liberty are one victory away from winning their first title. Game 4 is Friday night in Minnesota with a deciding fifth game in New York on Sunday if necessary.
Harris interview on Fox gets testy — but also gives her a do-over
The interview was the vice president's first formal sit-down with Fox. She faced questions on immigration, and was given a chance to answer again what she would do differently from President Biden.