Stories from May 29, 2025

Heat and haze: Air quality concerns and warm temperatures
Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is expected to worsen our air quality, while sunshine and above-normal temperatures will lead us into the weekend.
Layoff notices will begin going out tomorrow as lawmakers work on unfinished pieces of the state budget. And major wildfires burning north of Duluth for nearly three weeks are now nearly fully contained. But state officials expect the risk for more severe wildfires to remain, possibly all summer long.
Air quality alert for northeastern Minnesota through Friday evening
An air quality alert is in effect for parts of St. Louis, Lake, Carleton and Cook counties, including the cities of Ely, Isabella, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais and Duluth. The alert runs through 6 p.m. Friday.
Appeals court allows Trump to continue collecting tariffs under emergency powers law
A federal trade court ruled Wednesday that many of the tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed so far exceeded his power under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.
Morning Announcements for May 29
These are the Morning Announcements for Thursday, May 29. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
St. Paul's new superintendent on the challenges in public education
Many public schools are facing budget cuts and declining enrollment. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Stacie Stanley, the new superintendent for St. Paul Public Schools, about her career and meeting the challenges of public education.
MLB invests in Athletes Unlimited Softball League ahead of June debut
Major League Baseball is investing in Athletes Unlimited to support its softball league that will debut next month, marking the first time MLB will have a comprehensive partnership with a professional women’s sports league.
Trump administration cancels plans to develop a bird flu vaccine
The Department of Health and Human Services is ending a $766 million contract with the vaccine company Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine for flu strains with pandemic potential, including bird flu.
Wildfires burning north of Duluth largely contained, but increased fire danger looms
Massive wildfires that have burned more than 40 square miles of forest in northeast Minnesota are now largely contained, but state officials are warning of increased fire danger in the weeks and months ahead.
Tate brothers face rape and trafficking charges in U.K.
British prosecutors have approved 21 charges against brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, including rape, assault and human trafficking.
Decreasing clouds Thursday with a few showers, then much warmer
We have lingering instability yet Thursday for southern Minnesota where there will still be a few showers. Clouds will decrease and things heat up Friday into the weekend. 
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ season is over. They were beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night 124-94. A federal judge in Fergus Falls sentenced two men in a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of an Indian family on the Minnesota-Canada border.
Timberwolves season ends with loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-94
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 to win the Western Conference finals series 4-1 and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
Sober house for military veterans with PTSD opens in southern Minnesota
Research shows that veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder have higher rates of drug and alcohol use disorders, and higher rates of suicidal ideation. A new sober house in southern Minnesota will address those difficult challenges head on.
Faith leaders in Duluth rally behind homeless parking program while city weighs appeal
A program in Duluth that provides a secure parking lot for people experiencing homelessness to sleep in their vehicles has been temporarily closed while the city council considers an appeal from neighbors with safety, privacy and other concerns.
Art Hounds: War and healing, celebrating human creativity and a theatrical take on Virginia Woolf
Art hounds recommend a multimedia exhibition grappling with war and healing, an art-and-music night focused on human creativity over AI and a theatrical meditation on identity and gender, co-created by a Minneapolis father-daughter duo.
Authorities in Anoka County are asking the public for any information they may have about the whereabouts of a missing 16-year-old boy. Jordan Collins Jr. — known as “Manny” — was last seen in Columbia Heights on May 8.