Stories from May 1, 2025

RFK Jr. to require placebo-controlled studies for new vaccines
The Department of Health and Human Services says it will require new vaccines to be tested against a placebo, which could complicate and delay Food and Drug Administration approval of many vaccines.
Immigration judge ends removal case of student in ICE custody but he remains jailed
An immigration judge has dismissed the removal case against an international graduate student at the University of Minnesota who has been in ICE custody for more than a month. However, it appears he will remain in custody during an appeal. 
The Minnesota Senate approved a provision today to boost penalties for drivers who bypass extended school bus arms. Minneapolis police announced an arrest related to a series of shootings in Minneapolis that left five people dead in less than 24 hours.
Politics Friday: Slow so far, a big phase of Minnesota's marijuana market launch nears
MPR News politics editor and his guests talk about upcoming developments in the Minnesota legal marijuana marketplace. And key lawmakers update talks on a new state budget.
Minnesota trooper charged with making child sex abuse images
Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged a Minnesota state trooper with producing child sex abuse images. Trooper Jeremy Francis Plonski, 29, is charged with one count of producing child pornography.
Tech giants vie to build data centers in Minnesota to support their growing AI networks
What impact will the data center boom have on Minnesota? MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to Nick Halter, Twin Cities reporter at Axios, about how data centers want to tap Minnesota’s natural resources.
Minneapolis Native community mourns victims of gunfire
Dozens of Minneapolis Native residents and city officials gathered in a park Thursday morning to grieve six people killed in shootings over the previous two days. Police believe at least four of the people killed were Native.
Appetites: Korean stationery store brings life back to an empty corner of Uptown
On the corner of 31st and Hennepin in Minneapolis, a new general store sells everything from imported pens to black sesame lattes. Moona Moono owner Angie Lee shared how she wanted to revitalize a part of Uptown with a fusion of flavors and concepts.
Help me grow my garden
This week, the Twin Cities experienced what was likely the last frost of the season. We asked an expert for advice on spring planting.
MN Shortlist: May 1-7
MN Shortlist is your weekly curated roundup of recommended events from MPR News, including a poetic evening with Jim Moore, a heartfelt musical about resilience and pie and a powerful new play centered on the Ukrainian famine.
Wild, St. Paul scale back request for public money toward entertainment complex rehab
With hopes dim for a large-scale funding request, St. Paul city leaders and the Minnesota Wild are trimming their request for renovation money that includes a $50 million state share. They say part of the project can wait.
Frost win 3-0 to keep playoff hopes alive, putting Charge’s chances in jeopardy
Lee Stecklein scored twice as the Minnesota Frost staved off elimination and put the Ottawa Charge’s playoff hopes on ice with a 3-0 win Wednesday night. The Charge needed just one point to secure their first playoff appearance. 
‘Buena Vista Social Club,’ ‘Death Becomes Her’ and ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ lead Tony Award nominations
Three Broadway shows — “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her” and “Maybe Happy Ending” each earned a leading 10 Tony Award nominations Thursday. Nominators spread out the joy and gave nods to George Clooney, Sarah Snook and Bob Odenkirk in their debuts. Audra McDonald, as expected, heard her name called for her turn as Rose in a hailed revival of “Gypsy.”
Morning Announcements for May 1
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, May 1. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Opera returns to the Minnesota Orchestra with ‘Turandot’
The Minnesota Orchestra, under music director Thomas Søndergård, is performing Puccini’s “Turandot” in concert for the first time in years, featuring soprano Christine Goerke and signaling a possible return to opera in the ensemble’s programming.
Bo Naylor hits 3-run homer, closer Emmanuel Clase gets save in Guardians’ 4-2 win over Twins
Bo Naylor hit a three-run homer and Luis Ortiz kept Minnesota’s hitters off balance and off the scoreboard for 6 1/3 innings, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Florida moves to ban fluoride from public drinking water
If the bill is signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida would be the second state, after Utah, to ban the additive from its drinking water sources.
May Day protesters will rally nationwide against the ‘war on working people‘
May Day is not officially acknowledged in the U.S. because of what historians say is an ongoing resistance to unity among the working class. This resistance is prompting protesters to take action on Thursday, regardless.
The Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 to win a first round playoff series in five games. The Minnesota Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of a woman who exposed her breasts in a Rochester parking lot. 
Rudy Gobert dominates small-ball Lakers and the Timberwolves advance to 2nd round with a 103-96 win
Rudy Gobert had playoff career highs of 27 points and 24 rebounds, Julius Randle added 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves advanced in the NBA playoffs with a 103-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Timberwolves don’t take playoff success for granted after booking another trip to the 2nd round
Playoff success was a largely foreign concept to the Minnesota Timberwolves during their first 34 years of existence. The 2003-04 team led by Kevin Garnett won two postseason rounds, but those were the only two series victories in team history until last spring.
Occasional rain showers with seasonal temperatures for the start of May
Expect mostly cloudy skies with occasional showers and temperatures near seasonal averages for Thursday. A brief dip into the 50s is expected on Friday followed by a pleasant warmup heading into the weekend.
Woman’s indecent exposure conviction overturned by Minnesota Supreme Court
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the conviction of a woman who exposed her breasts in a Rochester parking lot in 2021. Olmsted County prosecutors charged Eloisa R. Plancarte with a misdemeanor after Rochester police responded to a complaint about a woman walking around topless near a gas station.
Plan to move a Duluth parking lot for people experiencing homelessness riles residents
A proposal to move a safe place where people experiencing homelessness in Duluth can sleep in their cars has pitted neighbors asking for their safety concerns to be addressed against what advocates say are misconceptions of homelessness. 
Patisserie owner Marc Heu found a home in Minnesota’s Hmong community
Unlike many Hmong families who sought refuge in the United States after the Vietnam War, Marc Heu’s family located to French Guiana in South America. He says growing up in French Guiana was difficult for him at times.