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Stories from April 17, 2025

Writer turned citizen scientist offers tips on living lightly to reduce your carbon footprint

Writer turned citizen scientist offers tips on living lightly to reduce your carbon footprint

Tamara Dean, author of “Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless,” talks to MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner about climate change and rethinking the lifestyle choices we make to lower our carbon footprint but still live productive lives.
by Paul Huttner and Matthew Alvarez

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Minnesota's energy sources; How much fish is safe to eat from Minnesota waterways

For the fifth year in a row, more than half of Minnesota's electricity came from carbon-free sources, according to a new clean energy report. The Minnesota Department of Health has updated its advice on how much fish is safe to eat from certain lakes with so-called "forever chemicals."
by Emily Reese

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Minnesota college enrollment recovers after a decade of decline

Minnesota college enrollment recovers after a decade of decline

A new report shows college enrollment has grown across the state and region after dipping from population changes, the pandemic and uncertainty over college affordability.
by Tom Crann and Ngoc Bui

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Health department issues new warning about eating fish from some Minnesota lakes with ‘forever chemicals’

Health department issues new warning about eating fish from some Minnesota lakes with ‘forever chemicals’

The changes to the fish consumption guidelines affect about 44 water bodies in 10 counties, in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals widely used for decades in consumer products to resist water, stains and grease.
by Kirsti Marohn

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In a first, Minnesota prison hosts official chess tournament

In a first, Minnesota prison hosts official chess tournament

On Thursday, for the first time, people incarcerated in a state prison in Minnesota played in an official chess tournament. Organizers and prison officials — and the people playing — say the game teaches and reinforces important life skills.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Help me get back to the dentist

Help me get back to the dentist

For many adults, their record of twice-yearly dental cleanings is spotty at best. Minnesota Now producer Alanna Elder reached out to an expert on how to get back on track with your dentist appointments
by Alanna Elder

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Amid a rift in the Canada-U.S. relationship, MPR News checks in with our northern neighbors

Amid a rift in the Canada-U.S. relationship, MPR News checks in with our northern neighbors

MPR News host Angela Davis and MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell headed to Thunder Bay, Ontario to hear how people who live near the Minnesota-Canada border feel about the changing relationship between the countries. “Our Canada Connections” airs Monday at 9 a.m.
by Nina Moini, Angela Davis, Chris Farrell and Cari Dwyer

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Train, semi collide in southern Minnesota — again

Train, semi collide in southern Minnesota — again

For the second time this month, there’s been a collision between a semi and a train in southern Minnesota.
by MPR News Staff

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Ethics investigation of state Senate president prompts conflict-of-interest rules scrutiny

Ethics investigation of state Senate president prompts conflict-of-interest rules scrutiny

Attorney and former State DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition on Thursday to talk about conflicts of interest at the Legislature.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gracie Stockton

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Severe weather potential includes Twin Cities

Severe weather potential includes Twin Cities

Dewpoints rising into the 50s and 60s along a warm front across southern Minnesota will help set the stage for severe weather Thursday afternoon and evening. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop, bringing the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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Tritium found in two more monitoring wells near Monticello nuclear plant

Tritium found in two more monitoring wells near Monticello nuclear plant

The utility has been working to recover radioactive tritium from as much as 900,000 gallons of contaminated water that leaked into the ground at its Monticello nuclear plant more than two years ago. The tritium levels in both monitoring wells are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's limit for safe drinking water.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Florida State gunman used deputy mom’s former service weapon to kill 2 and wound 6, authorities say

Florida State gunman used deputy mom’s former service weapon to kill 2 and wound 6, authorities say

The 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy opened fire Thursday at Florida State University with his mother’s former service weapon, killing two people and wounding at least six others, investigators said.
by The Associated Press

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Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid'

Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target's CEO amid DEI backlash 'very constructive and candid'

Target’s chief executive officer is planning to meet this week with the Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton's civil rights organization has encouraged consumers to avoid U.S. retailers that scaled backed their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for April 17

Morning Announcements for April 17

These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, April 17. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Representing immigrants in a time of policy changes

Representing immigrants in a time of policy changes

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with immigration attorney Gloria Contreras Edin about what inspired her to pursue law and what she’s seeing on the ground as immigration policies change.  
by Angela Davis and Nikhil Kumaran

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AmeriCorps members who respond to disasters and help nonprofits are let go in DOGE cuts

AmeriCorps members who respond to disasters and help nonprofits are let go in DOGE cuts

Young volunteers who respond to natural disasters and help with community projects across the U.S. have been discharged. It's a result of the Trump administration’s campaign to shrink the government’s workforce and services.
by The Associated Press

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Paige Bueckers talks about her investment stake in Unrivaled league on ‘Good Morning America’

Paige Bueckers talks about her investment stake in Unrivaled league on ‘Good Morning America’

Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings, confirmed during an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday that she is an investor in Unrivaled, which just completed its inaugural season.
by The Associated Press

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UnitedHealth cuts 2025 forecast after dealing with first-quarter care use spike

UnitedHealth cuts 2025 forecast after dealing with first-quarter care use spike

UnitedHealth chopped its 2025 forecast after being surprised by care use from its Medicare Advantage customers in a worse-than-expected first quarter. Shares of the health care giant started tumbling early Thursday.
by The Associated Press

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Twins take series from Mets with 4-3 win on Ty France’s game-ending single in the 10th inning

Twins take series from Mets with 4-3 win on Ty France’s game-ending single in the 10th inning

Ty France singled in the 10th inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 4-3 victory after the New York Mets rallied with a three-run eighth. France smacked a 1-1 pitch from Reed Garrett with none out that bounced in center field with no chance for Tyrone Taylor to get his glove down. 
by The Associated Press

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Sleep training is no longer just for babies. Some schools are teaching teens how to sleep

Sleep training is no longer just for babies. Some schools are teaching teens how to sleep

Sleep training is no longer just for newborns. Some schools are taking it upon themselves to teach teenagers how to get a good night's sleep. The problem isn't just that high schoolers are tired, that's nothing new.
by The Associated Press

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Mayo Clinic is changing the name of its DEI office. Protesters gather outside El Salvador’s consulate

Mayo Clinic is changing the name of its Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. Protesters outside El Salvador’s consulate in St. Paul yesterday demanded the return of a man mistakenly deported from the U.S. to a prison in that Central American country.
by Phil Picardi

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Twins to place Wallner on injured list with hamstring strain, believe Correa’s sore wrist is minor

Twins to place Wallner on injured list with hamstring strain, believe Correa’s sore wrist is minor

The Minnesota Twins will place right fielder Matt Wallner on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. They believe they've avoiding a long-term absence for shortstop Carlos Correa with his sore left wrist. 
by The Associated Press

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Vatican opens solemn run-up to Easter with recovering Pope Francis on the sidelines

Vatican opens solemn run-up to Easter with recovering Pope Francis on the sidelines

The Vatican is opening the most solemn period of Holy Week with a recovering Pope Francis largely on the sidelines. The 88-year-old Francis was a no-show at the start of the Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. 
by The Associated Press

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Head Start funding lags by nearly $1 billion this year, causing some preschool closures

Head Start funding lags by nearly $1 billion this year, causing some preschool closures

Federal databases show Head Start centers across the U.S. have received nearly $1 billion less in federal funding compared with this time last year. This week, the lag in funding caused some preschool classrooms for 400 low-income children to close in central Washington state.
by The Associated Press

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RFK pushes to find ‘environmental’ cause of autism, calls growing rates an ‘epidemic’

RFK pushes to find ‘environmental’ cause of autism, calls growing rates an ‘epidemic’

Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
by Rob Stein and Carmel Wroth

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Trump policies top the talking points at Minnesota lawmaker town halls

Trump policies top the talking points at Minnesota lawmaker town halls

Lawmakers from both parties fielded questions and comments from constituents in person. President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, health care and budget cuts generated the most heat. 
by Dana Ferguson, Dan Kraker and Hannah Yang

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Could it be the end of the line for Northstar Commuter Rail service?

Could it be the end of the line for Northstar Commuter Rail service?

The future of the Northstar Commuter Rail line is uncertain as the Minnesota Legislature looks to the possibility of ending the service. Cities along the route are looking at their stations and trying to figure out what they would do with the infrastructure if the train ends.
by Regina Medina

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MN Shortlist: April 17-23

MN Shortlist: April 17-23

MN Shortlist is your weekly curated roundup of recommended events from MPR News, highlighting standout performances, exhibits and gatherings around the region.
by Jacob Aloi, Anika Besst and Alex V. Cipolle

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Art Hounds: Puppets, comedy and Minnesota’s literary roots

Art Hounds: Puppets, comedy and Minnesota’s literary roots

This week, Art Hounds highlight Cherokee-language puppetry, a comedy showcase by Hmong and Asian American performers and a deep dive into Minnesota’s poetic past.
by Emily Bright

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