Stories from April 24, 2025

Decision to not file charges in Tesla vandalism case in Minneapolis draws criticism
A recent decision by the Hennepin County attorney to not file criminal charges against a Minneapolis man accused of vandalizing a half-dozen Teslas has sparked criticism from local police and at the State Capitol.
Trump administration cuts more than $1.3 million in grants from Minnesota museums, institutions
The federal government has pulled over a million dollars in museum grants from Minnesota institutions — including the Science Museum, the Walker Art Center, and the Mille Lacs Band — amid nationwide cuts ordered by the Trump administration.
Osterholm: Federal health agency cuts, vaccine misinformation are 'urgent' issues
Michael Osterholm is director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. On Thursday, he announced a new project intended to safeguard vaccine information, research and access in case the federal government doesn't.
Minnesota Democrats are pushing again for new taxes to offset possible federal spending cuts despite Republican opposition. The University of Minnesota announced a new project today that could set up its own system for vaccine evaluation and clinical guidelines — separate from federal agencies.
Whooping cough cases are rising again in the US
Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. has seen 8,485 cases of whooping cough in 2025. That's twice as many cases as this time last year, based on the CDC’s final tally.
Lost mother-and-baby porcupine duo get a ride home after accidental journey
A lost mother-and-baby porcupine duo is heading back up north after wildlife rescuers found them a hundred miles away from home. Rescuers say the mother accidentally hitched a ride on a trailer and gave birth in the city.
Politics Friday: Washington is top of mind for a pair of Minnesota's top leaders
MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst interviews U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan about her bid for higher office. Then a discussion about the way immigration changes are playing out. 
Elon Musk's social media platform X sues Minnesota over political deepfake ban
The social media platform X, run by Elon Musk, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Minnesota law barring the use of deepfakes to influence an election.
Judge bars Trump from denying federal funds to ‘sanctuary’ cities that limit immigration cooperation
A federal judge is barring the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to “sanctuary” jurisdictions. U.S. Judge William Orrick said Thursday that a preliminary injunction was appropriate because President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting sanctuary cities were unconstitutional.
Forest Service won’t issue Boundary Waters canoeing permits at busy Ely and Grand Marais ranger stations
U.S. Forest Service officials have informed Boundary Waters permit holders and cooperating businesses that they won’t be issuing canoeing permits this coming season at popular ranger stations in Ely and Grand Marais.
Latest drought report shows concerns for northwestern Minnesota
The latest United States Drought Monitor report shows growing concern for northwestern Minnesota, where precipitation has been scarce over the past month. An active weather pattern has funneled most of the recent rainfall into the eastern and southern half of the state.
WNBA training camps opening. Here's why not every draft pick will make her team's roster
WNBA training camps are set to open this weekend and there’s no doubt that No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers is primed for a pro career in the league. Not all 38 selections from this year’s draft will have such assurances.
Wrong turn leads to hundreds of immigrant arrests at the Detroit-Canada border bridge
NPR has for months been receiving tips about detentions at the Ambassador Bridge in Michigan. An inquiry by Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, has revealed more that 200 detentions this year at the bridge, including American citizen children.
Longtime Stearns County commissioner at center of dispute over competency resigns
Leigh Lenzmeier has represented District 4 in the city of St. Cloud for 34 years. He has suffered ongoing health problems. For the past year, he has been in an assisted living facility in Buffalo and attended county meetings virtually.
Cal Clutterbuck says he’s retiring after 17 NHL seasons with the Islanders and Wild
Cal Clutterbuck says he is retiring from the NHL after playing more than 1,100 games over 17 seasons. The longtime New York Islanders forward and all-time hits leader did not play this season after not having his contract renewed last summer. 
Creating work community with Alex West Steinman
If you work for yourself or a small organization, how do you find office space, inspiration and community? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Alex West Steinman, CEO of the coworking network, The Coven. 
Pastor calls for ‘full Target boycott’ over concerns about diversity, equity, inclusion
The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day “fast” against Target stores is now calling for a “full Target boycott.” The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the initiative’s demands.
Air pollution still plagues nearly half of Americans. That does a number on our health
Despite improvements in air quality in past decades, 156 million Americans still breathe in too much soot or ozone, says the annual State of the Air report from the American Lung Association.
Decades later, the Microsoft antitrust case casts a shadow over the Google trial
A nearly 30-year-old legal case looms large over the U.S. government’s antitrust case against Google. A judge is hearing arguments to decide the penalties to levy against the search giant.
Twins legends Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek are recovering from strokes suffered days apart
The Minnesota Twins say retired stars Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek are recovering from strokes suffered days apart. The 86-year-old Oliva had what the team called “a series of mini strokes” over the past month but is expected to make a full recovery.
Racial disparities in youth incarceration are the widest they’ve been in decades
The number of American children and teenagers in juvenile detention has sharply declined over the last few decades, but as overall numbers decrease, data shows Black and Native American youth are far more likely to be incarcerated than white children.
Walz pushes for Minnesota to be a model, stand against ‘chaos and destruction’ from feds
The governor used a roughly 23-minute State of the State speech to urge lawmakers to work together while highlighting policies passed under DFL control and skewering the Trump administration.
Appetites: The legacy of Leeann Chin is celebrated in daughter’s one-woman show 
Chef and performer Katie Chin returns to Minneapolis with her one-woman show, “Holy Shiitake: A Wok Star is Born” — a tribute to her mother, legendary restaurateur Leeann Chin, blending humor, family history and the immigrant experience through food, storytelling and a five-course meal.
A dozen states sue the Trump administration to stop tariff policy
A dozen states have sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade to stop its tariff policy, challenging Trump’s claim that he could arbitrarily impose tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
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