Stories from August 5, 2025

CDC to disburse delayed funds for fighting fentanyl and more, staffers say
Much of the public health agency's $9 billion budget had been in limbo but funds are finally flowing, according to CDC staffers, including for a key overdose prevention program.
The city of North St. Paul is trying to determine whether any private data was compromised after someone in its police department clicked on a nefarious email about a week ago. Authorities in Minneapolis are asking for the public’s help in locating a 12-year-old girl who’s been missing since Saturday.
NFL suspends Vikings' Jordan Addison for 3 games over DUI case
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been suspended for three games by the NFL. The suspension is due to a violation of the league's personal conduct policy related to a drunken driving case from last year.
Visit Cook County director talks North Shore tourism and international employees
Linda Jurek, the executive director of Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition at WTIP in Grand Marais Tuesday to delve deeper into regional attractions, cross-border tourism, the impact of international students and more.
Minneapolis officials consider renaming Edmund Boulevard for state's first Black woman lawyer
The 14-block stretch of road along the Mississippi River is currently named for Edmund Walton, a real estate developer who introduced racially restrictive covenants to Minnesota.
Small stations hit hard: WTIP in Grand Marais lays out effects of federal funding cuts
Katie Belanger, WTIP’s development director, is tasked with figuring out what’s next and rallying support from the public to get the station back in the black.
Minnesota's 'Millennial Farmer' talks future of agriculture at Farmfest
Zach Johnson, a sixth-generation soy and corn farmer and YouTuber from west central Minnesota, talked to MPR News guest host Chris Farrell about pride and pressure to advance his farm into its seventh generation.
University of Northern Iowa to offer in-state tuition to Minnesotans
The University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, which is about a two-hour drive from Rochester. Its tuition deal for students across the Iowa border is one of many strategies that institutions have used as enrollment has dipped around the country.   
A spokesperson said the city has hired outside experts to make sure no private information was compromised after someone in its police department clicked into a scam email.
Ken Bartz, founder of Ken's FM, dies at 73
Bartz worked as an engineer and a DJ in the radio industry for decades before starting his own radio station — Ken's FM — about a decade ago.
'We had concerns': Social services leader previously heard about housing fraud issues
Avivo is an organization that helps unhoused Minnesotans find stable housing. A leader with Avivo said they heard about homeless people being approached to offer housing services but then those organizations wouldn’t follow up.
St. Paul has one special election on August 12 for City Council Ward 4. Candidates are Chauntyll Allen, Molly Coleman, Cole Hanson and Carolyn Will.
Isanti has a special election happening on Aug. 12 for mayor. The candidates include Jeff Johnson and Luke Merrill.
White Bear Lake is holding a primary on Aug. 12 for mayor. There are three candidates: Stephen Laliberte, Mary Nicklawske and Matthew Schoenthaler.
Stearns County has one special election for a commissioner seat on the primary ballot in 2025. It’s being held for District 4 because the previous commissioner, Leigh Lenzmeier, retired, creating a vacancy in the office.
How to get your kids ready to go back to school without stress — 5 tips from an experienced school counselor
The shift from summer vacation to going back to school can be tough for children and their families. Beyond adjusting to new routines, the transition requires handling a mix of emotions. While some kids might feel excited about new teachers and classmates, others may experience anxiety, sadness or uncertainty about the upcoming school year.
Netanyahu hints at expanded war in Gaza but former Israeli military and spy chiefs object
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hinting at wider military action in devastated Gaza even as former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs call for an end to the war. The new pressure on Netanyahu came as Gaza’s Health Ministry on Tuesday said the war's Palestinian death toll has surpassed 61,000. 
Grand Marais mayor talks sky-high county housing prices, downtown recovery after fires
With a new affordable housing project, a budget for the local library and a new fuel pump at the local marina, Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson oversees all the action. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from WTIP North Shore Community Radio Tuesday to discuss the state of the city.
Hennepin County commissioners consider takeover of HCMC amid financial difficulties
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is considering taking over some management of Hennepin Healthcare — which includes HCMC in downtown Minneapolis — as the health-care system faces financial troubles. The hospital’s current board of directors says that’s the wrong solution.
New books this week: Unconventional novels and an oral history of Hiroshima, Nagasaki
An oral history of the atomic bomb detonations 80 years ago leads this week’s list of publishing highlights, which also includes a handful of novels by authors including Louis Sachar and Jason Mott.
Born during COVID, starting school now: The challenges facing this year’s kindergarten class
They’re five years old and full of surprises — children born during the first months of the pandemic are starting kindergarten! MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the challenges they may face and how schools and parents can help them thrive.  
Leaders in the state legislature joined in a call to ratchet down political rhetoric as they spoke to a national conference Monday. Democratic and Republican leaders addressed the National Conference of State Legislatures in Boston about the killing of former Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman. DFL Senator John Hoffman, who was also shot the night Hortman was killed, addressed the crowd in a prerecorded video.
Hurricane Katrina was a catalyst for change in New Orleans’ public defender office
Hurricane Katrina exposed longstanding flaws in the New Orleans criminal justice system. In the 20 years since, there has been dramatic change in the public defender office.
NFL longevity demands wisdom as much as determination and talent. These seasoned guys can explain
NFL careers are notoriously short. Yet the young man’s league still has some space for the most seasoned players. Wisdom is just as important to sticking around as determination and talent.
Across northern Minnesota’s pristine lake country, mercury contamination is growing
Northern Minnesota's waters and wetlands offer ideal conditions for toxic mercury to thrive. It's a decadeslong problem that's slowly worsening. Experiments at the U using bioengineered minnows show promise, but there’s no easy fix.
On second look, nation favors Wisconsin slightly more than Minnesota or Iowa. And much more than California
Earlier this summer we reported that the “nation thinks Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa are ‘equally good.’” New data suggests that Wisconsin has a slight edge. However, Democrats favor Minnesota and Republicans favor Iowa.
State House: District 34B special election
Democrat Xp Lee and Republican Ruth Bittner are running in the special general election Tuesday, Sept. 16, to fill the seat formerly held by the late House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman.
Texas Democrats walked out to block the GOP. How well has the tactic worked before?
Dozens of Texas Democrats left the state to protest a redistricting map, facing potentially steep consequences. Lawmaker walkouts have had mixed success in the past — so what is there to gain?