Stories from May 28, 2025

After CDC cuts, doctors fear women will lose access to contraception research
A small team of researchers responsible for keeping clinicians up to date on contraception research has been cut. Doctors say they rely on the team’s guidance when advising people about contraception.
Deadline approaching for filing claim in settlement over Minnesota’s tax-forfeited property sales
Some Minnesotans whose property was seized because they didn’t pay property taxes stand to gain thousands of dollars. The settlement stems from a lawsuit involving a Minneapolis woman that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency adds ‘blowing dust’ to air quality alerts
Dust storms are more than just a nuisance weather event; the fine particles can contribute to poor air quality. MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to an expert about why the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is adding blowing dust to its public-health alerts.
A wildfire burning in the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota is growing, leading authorities to close off a part of Superior National Forest land in the Horse River area. The Horse River fire is still relatively small, but it has more than doubled in size in recent days to nearly 25 acres, and it's burning completely uncontained.
Brighter and warmer Thursday but isolated showers linger 
Our dreary system is slowly moving out Wednesday night into Thursday. Isolated showers are still possible for southern Minnesota Thursday but we’ll also see more sun and warmth. 
Convicted human smugglers get prison sentences after Indian family’s deaths on Canada-U.S. border
Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand’s sentencing Wednesday in federal court comes more than three years after a family of four from India froze to death while trying into the U.S. along a remote stretch of the Canadian border in a blizzard. 
Bloods member gets life sentence in federal gang crackdown
In October, a jury convicted Bloods member Desean James Solomon and two other men in connection with the murders of two rivals.
U.S. stops scheduling visa interviews for foreign students
The State Department has halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students while it prepares to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.
‘A broadcaster’s broadcaster.’ Newscaster Perry Finelli retiring after 39 years at MPR
Perry Finelli joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer for an exit interview. Listen to their conversation spanning Finelli’s start in radio during high school, intense days like the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and what motivated him to stay in news despite its challenges.
Morning Announcements for May 28
These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, May 28. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
How the proposed changes to Medicaid could affect Minnesotans
Congress is debating cuts to Medicaid. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a physician and a health policy researcher about what the proposed changes could mean for Minnesotans.   
Former Sean Combs employee Capricorn Clark says he kidnapped her
On Tuesday, Clark, who worked for Combs for more than a decade, accused him of kidnapping her during a chaotic 2011 episode involving his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and the rapper Kid Cudi.
In a county that backed Trump, people depend on Medicaid and are conflicted about cuts
Medicaid plays a vital role in many rural communities that favored President Trump in the 2024 election. But residents still seem open to Republican plans to cut perceived waste in the program.
Kody Clemens homers with dad Roger looking on, Twins beat Rays 4-2 to stop Rays’ 6-game win streak
Kody Clemens hit his fifth home run of the season, with father Roger Clemens watching from the stands, and the Minnesota Twins beat Tampa Bay 4-2 to stop the Rays’ season-high, six-game winning streak.
A proposed federal consent decree with the Minneapolis Police Department is officially no more. Immigrant rights groups and advocates are pushing Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature to continue funding MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrants. 
Lingering disturbance brings more spotty showers, clouds Wednesday
An upper level low continues to spin clouds and spotty showers across the region Wednesday. That system will move out Thursday allowing for brighter skies and much warmer temperatures. 
Williams, Collier lead the way as the Lynx topple the Storm 82-77 in early West showdown
Courtney Williams scored 23 points, Napheesa Collier had 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx held on to beat the Seattle Storm 82-77 on Tuesday night in a matchup of early season leaders in the Western Conference. 
Photo essay: My five years photographing George Floyd Square
MPR News visual journalist Ben Hovland lives minutes from where Minneapolis police killed George Floyd in 2020 and has spent the years since documenting the impact on his neighborhood.
History we don’t teach: Floyd’s murder an uneasy subject in Minnesota schools
Minnesota was the epicenter of American history after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. But five years later, you’re unlikely to find it taught in Minnesota schools. Some teachers say it’s too painful and too politically charged.
‘Washita Love Child’ remembers Indigenous guitarist Jesse Ed Davis’ prolific music career
Indigenous guitarist Jesse Ed Davis played alongside iconic musicians in the 1970s and 1980s. His life, career and ancestors are remembered in a recent book by author Douglas Miller.
In Minnesota, this man helped pave the way for Hmong Americans in politics
Cy Thao served St. Paul as a lawmaker in the Minnesota House of Representatives. His election in 2002 made him the second Hmong American lawmaker to serve in a state Legislature anywhere in the country.