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Stories from May 12, 2025

Rochester NAACP says police misidentified family of child called racial slur in viral video

Rochester NAACP says police misidentified family of child called racial slur in viral video

The Rochester branch of the NAACP started a fundraiser for the family. The organization’s president said Monday that no funds have been disbursed yet and that police have connected him to the affected family.
by Catharine Richert

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Campfire may have caused wildfire north of Duluth. Lawmakers barreling toward budget deadline

Authorities are still investigating what caused a fast-burning wildfire about 35 miles north of Duluth, but believe a campfire may be to blame. Much of Minnesota is under an air quality alert Monday. And Gov. Tim Walz is urging lawmakers to compromise as their budget deadline quickly approaches.
by Kelly Bleyer

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Study: 5 years after George Floyd‘s murder, optimism for change has dwindled

Study: 5 years after George Floyd‘s murder, optimism for change has dwindled

The study from the Pew Research Center found that in 2020, 52 percent of U.S. adults said the increased focus on issues of race and racial inequality would lead to changes that would improve the lives of Black people. Five years later, 72 percent said they believe it did not lead to changes.
by Nina Moini, Aleesa Kuznetsov and Alanna Elder

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Minnesota wildfire aggravated by high winds and dry conditions

Minnesota wildfire aggravated by high winds and dry conditions

Leanne Langeberg, public information officer for the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center, spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the fire and fire safety on Monday’s Morning Edition.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lukas Levin

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Crews continue battling wildfire near Brimson, at least 3 homes and cabins burned

Crews continue battling wildfire near Brimson, at least 3 homes and cabins burned

The Camp House Fire near Brimson has grown to 750 acres as of Monday morning. It was zero-percent contained as crews worked on the ground and from the air to douse the flames. Meanwhile, another large wildfire started Monday just a few miles away.
by Dan Kraker and Andrew Krueger

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The future of federal funding for NPR and PBS

The future of federal funding for NPR and PBS

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president and CEO of National Public Radio about how President Trump’s call to end federal funding for NPR and PBS could affect public radio and TV stations around the country. 
by Angela Davis and Cari Dwyer

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5th person dies from blaze that forced residents to jump from Milwaukee apartment building windows

5th person dies from blaze that forced residents to jump from Milwaukee apartment building windows

A fifth person has died following an intense fire that engulfed a four-story Milwaukee apartment building on Mother’s Day. Milwaukee fire officials did not immediately release details Monday about the victim. Further details about the blaze also weren’t released.
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for May 12

Morning Announcements for May 12

These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, May 12. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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The Spirit Tunnel is unapologetic celebrity worship — and extremely fun

The Spirit Tunnel is unapologetic celebrity worship — and extremely fun

Celebrity guests on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” — Michelle Obama, Usher, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tina Knowles to name a few — have all caught a ride through this viral backstage ritual.
by Aisha Harris

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Aggressive immigration enforcement makes musicians rethink U.S. tours

Aggressive immigration enforcement makes musicians rethink U.S. tours

In a time of aggressive immigration enforcement, some international musicians are deciding that going through the complicated process of getting a U.S. artist visa may not be worth the financial and safety risks.
by Nastia Voynovskaya

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U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot

U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot

The New World screwworm is endemic in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean — and its northward spread into Mexico has alarmed U.S. officials. It can kill a full-grown cow in one to two weeks. 
by Will Stone

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Northern Minnesota wildfire prompts evacuations. Air quality alert in effect later Monday

A rapidly-spreading wildfire prompted evacuations Sunday northeast of Duluth. The Camphouse fire was reported just after 1 p.m. near Brimson and quickly grew amid gusty winds and extremely dry conditions. An air quality alert goes into effect Monday afternoon and evening for most of Minnesota.
by Phil Picardi

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Heat, critical fire weather conditions and air quality alerts

Heat, critical fire weather conditions and air quality alerts

It’ll be another hot day Monday with lots of sun, gusty winds and low humidity. Critical fire weather conditions persist Monday and Tuesday. Thunder is possible Wednesday night. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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McQuigge and Cava each score 2 goals, Frost beat Sceptres 7-5, take 2-1 series lead

McQuigge and Cava each score 2 goals, Frost beat Sceptres 7-5, take 2-1 series lead

Brooke McQuigge and Michela Cava scored two goals apiece and the Minnesota Frost beat the Toronto Sceptres 7-5 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series. The Frost, who tied the series with a 5-3 win in Game 2, can advance to the PWHL championship with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday.
by The Associated Press

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Trump defends the prospect of Qatar gifting him a plane to use as Air Force One

Trump defends the prospect of Qatar gifting him a plane to use as Air Force One

 President Donald Trump is ready to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar during his trip to the Middle East this coming week, and U.S. officials say it could be converted into a potential presidential aircraft. The Qatari government denied that a final decision had been made.
by The Associated Press

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The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war

The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war

American levies on Chinese goods will drop from at least 145 percent to 30 percent for an initial period of 90 days, while Chinese levies are set to fall from at least 125 percent to 10 percent on American goods.
by Willem Marx and Emily Feng

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There's a secret superfood in white rice and pasta: Here's how to unlock it

There's a secret superfood in white rice and pasta: Here's how to unlock it

When it comes to rice and pasta, dietitians recommend eating brown or whole grain because they're more nutritious. But you can create a super nutrient in white rice and white pasta. Here's the trick.
by Michaeleen Doucleff

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In Duluth, a controversial condo proposal brings out both NIMBYs and YIMBYs 

In Duluth, a controversial condo proposal brings out both NIMBYs and YIMBYs 

The Duluth City Council votes Monday on a controversial housing development project. It pits NIMBYs or "Not In My Backyard" opponents against so-called YIMBYs or “Yes In My Backyard,” who advocate for new housing. 
by Dan Kraker

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Faith in the water: Minnesota dowser in demand despite no scientific proof 

Faith in the water: Minnesota dowser in demand despite no scientific proof 

Jim Kuebelbeck can’t explain it, but he claims to sense the presence of underground water. There is no scientific basis for dowsing, but hundreds of people pay Kuebelbeck to help locate water. 
by Dan Gunderson

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Fast-moving wildfire prompts evacuations of homes, cabins in northeast Minnesota

Fast-moving wildfire prompts evacuations of homes, cabins in northeast Minnesota

A fast-moving wildfire fueled by tinder-dry conditions and gusty winds prompted the evacuation of homes and cabins northeast of Duluth on Sunday. It was one of at least two large wildfires in Minnesota on Sunday.
by Andrew Krueger and Dan Kraker

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