Stories from August 8, 2025

U of M service workers plan to strike systemwide for better wages, workplace conditions
Members of Teamsters Local 320 are preparing to strike starting Aug. 20, around when many incoming freshmen are expected for welcome week activities across University of Minnesota campuses. 
Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she will work to steer federal money to Beltrami County following severe storms. Forecasters continue to monitor the potential for another round of Canadian wildfire smoke to affect Minnesota this weekend.
U.S. Air Force to deny early retirement benefits to some transgender service members
The U.S. Air Force said Thursday it would deny all transgender service members who have served between 15 and 18 years the option to retire early and would instead separate them without retirement benefits.
Vampires and a happy ending: Three Minnesota romance buffs discuss how the genre is changing
Move over, Mr. Darcy. These days, romance novels are just as likely to be populated by zombies, vampires and antiheroes as a muscle-bound alpha male. But one thing remains: the promise of a happy ending. Three Minnesota romance aficionados join host Kerri Miller on this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas to talk about how the genre is changing.
Ottawa’s Emily Clark sets PWHL record for highest single-season salary with new contract, AP sources
Emily Clark has become the highest-paid player in the PWHL by signing a two-year contract extension with Ottawa Charge. The team announced the deal on Thursday, securing her through the 2027-28 season.
How does the WNBA deal with sex-toy throwers? What to know about arrests and security
The WNBA is still struggling with a string of sex-toy disturbances. In the past week and a half, sex toys have been thrown on court during games in Atlanta on July 29, Chicago on Thursday night and Aug. 1 and Los Angeles on Aug. 5, with the most recent object nearly hitting Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during Indiana’s game against the Sparks.
Minnesota food shelves are looking more like grocery stores, but federal cuts threaten their future
St. Peter's food shelf renovated its space this summer to create a "Super Shelf" to provide those in need of food assistance with an experience more like that of a supermarket.
Minnesota mother remains in ICE custody despite judge's release order 
Antonia Aguilar Maldonado’s attorneys say she is being held at the Kandiyohi County Jail in Willmar, despite having no criminal record, an active asylum case, and a bond approved by an immigration judge. A hearing is scheduled for next week in the case.
Children’s literature series explores, celebrates Native American lives
The Native American Lives Series is a set of biographies about Native people, written by Native authors. The Minnesota Humanities Center and Lerner Publishing Group have released four books out of the planned 12. The book launch was celebrated Monday night in St. Paul.
State Fair Rejects: Art that didn’t make the Fine Arts Competition
After hundreds of artists were rejected from Minnesota's prestigious State Fair Fine Arts Competition, two Twin Cities galleries are hosting popular "reject shows" featuring the overlooked works, celebrating artistic resilience and sparking public interest and conversation.