Stories from July 29, 2025

Here are the 13 books that made the Booker Prize longlist
The prize is one of the most prestigious awards in literature. This year’s crop of nominees includes two debut novelists going up against a previous Booker Prize winner.
Trump says his falling out with Jeffrey Epstein was over spa workers at Mar-a-Lago
Trump has said he kicked Epstein out of his club for hiring workers away from Mar-a-Lago. When asked Tuesday if the workers included young women, Trump responded, “the answer is yes, they were.”
Special election date set for two open Minnesota Senate seats
The open seats include District 29, formerly held by GOP Sen. Bruce Anderson, who died on July 21, and District 47 formerly held by DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who resigned from her seat last week after her burglary conviction. Both special elections will be held Nov. 4.
Air quality alert for all of Minnesota through Saturday
A northerly wind flow will send multiple waves of Canadian wildfire smoke into Minnesota for the next few days. Air quality will reach the unhealthy range for most of Minnesota.
Woodland women bringing back Our Grandmother’s Dress
On the second weekend of July, four dancers dressed in velvet dresses held up by straps danced gracefully across the arena at the annual Bear River powwow, the dresses glistening and gleaming in the hot summer sun.
Gov. Tim Walz activated the National Guard today for cyber protection assistance in response to a cyberattack on the city of St. Paul. Parts of western Minnesota -- including Stevens County -- experienced flash flooding last night as another round of severe storms moved across the region.
Extreme heat causes pavement buckling in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Transportation asks drivers to slow down and to avoid driving over the hazard. MnDOT asks drivers to call 911 for emergency repairs.
The EPA proposes gutting its greenhouse gas rules. Here's what it means for cars and pollution
The Trump administration has effectively eliminated two rules designed to promote cleaner cars. Now, as the EPA suggests not considering carbon dioxide to be pollution, the last is poised to fall.
How a local jeweler is navigating historic surge of gold and silver prices
This year has seen international gold and silver prices, driven by increased demand for secure investments amidst the ongoing economic uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s tariff policies and global political tensions.
Preliminary data shows a decrease in immigrant work visas in Minnesota this year
President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict immigration and step up enforcement have caused uncertainty for some workers with and without legal status working in the agriculture and hospitality sector in Minnesota
Report: As gun violence declines in the U.S., Minnesota heading in the opposite direction
A report by Protect Minnesota, found that in 2024, 564 Minnesotans died from gun violence. That’s a 6 percent increase from 2023. But in the United States, CDC data shows a 5 percent decrease in gun deaths.
Morning Announcements for July 29
These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, July 29. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
DHS is urging DACA recipients to self-deport
"DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country," said DHS assistant press secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who then encouraged "every person here illegally" to self-deport.
4 ways to stay cool amid warming temperatures
With temperatures on the rise, several cooling centers are available across the Twin Cities for Minnesotans without access to air conditioning.
Are prices going up because of tariffs? Here’s what we know
Prices have risen a tad on some items especially affected by tariffs. But for the most part, companies are finding ways to delay price increases — for now.
Dating is difficult: Why it's not working like it used to
MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation with a dating coach and a therapist to break down the challenges of modern dating — and provide advice for what you can do to make it easier.
Twins top Red Sox 5-4 on 2-run single in 9th by Brooks Lee after 90-minute rain delay
Brooks Lee hit a two-run single off Jordan Hicks in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 5-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox after a 90-minute rain delay. Roman Anthony put Boston in front with an RBI single off Twins closer Jhoan Duran.
As Gaza starves, the next generation may also endure the consequences
U.N. officials say many people in Gaza are experiencing “famine-like conditions.” Health experts who have studied past famines warn that the fallout can reverberate across generations.
Another round of strong storms drenched parts of Minnesota Monday. Stevens County experienced flash flooding with parts of the county getting 3 to 6 inches of rain from weekend rain. There are reports of downed trees from Mankato toward the Twin Cities.
Second night of severe storms leaves damage, power outages across wide swath of Minnesota
Tens of thousands of Minnesota homes and businesses remained without power Tuesday after severe storms rolled across the state for a second consecutive night.
Still muggy Tuesday, but drier and cooler air is coming
It’ll still be muggy Tuesday but dew points will drop overnight into Wednesday. We’ll have several consecutive days of cooler temperatures and lower dew points. 
Gunman kills 4, including police officer, in shooting at New York City office tower
Officials say a man carrying a rifle killed four people at a New York City office tower. The shooting took place Monday afternoon at a midtown Manhattan office building that houses finance companies and the NFL headquarters. 
In new U study, questions resurface over wakesurfing’s impact on Minnesota lakes
Newly released University of Minnesota research finds wakesurfing in water that’s too shallow can damage lake quality. The study could revive calls for statewide restrictions and may churn the debate over the state’s changing lake culture.