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Stories from October 21, 2025

Hermantown data center rezoning; Sit-in at State Board of Investment

A controversial proposed data center in northern Minnesota got some support last night, despite vocal community opposition. A group of people who want the state to cut financial ties to Israel held a sit-in at the Retirement Systems Building in St. Paul today.
by Elena See

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Vikings will start Wentz at QB on short rest in LA

Vikings will start Wentz at QB on short rest in LA

Carson Wentz will make his fifth straight start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings with J.J. McCarthy lacking time in a shortened week to keep building up his sprained right ankle.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota asphalt, aggregate company to lay off nearly 300 workers

Minnesota asphalt, aggregate company to lay off nearly 300 workers

An asphalt and aggregate products business with many locations across Minnesota says it will be closing some of those facilities by the end of the year, with nearly 300 employees losing their jobs.
by Andrew Krueger

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New documentary examines Minneapolis police reform efforts going back 150 years

New documentary examines Minneapolis police reform efforts going back 150 years

A new documentary called “Paradox: Echoes of Reform & the Minneapolis Police,” shows that police reform efforts sparked from the murder of George Floyd were the echo of generations-long complexities within the Minneapolis Police Department.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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Election FAQ: Answers to your voting and election questions

The election is less than two weeks away and MPR News is here to answer any questions you may have. From when and where to vote, to who is on your ballot and what referendums are in your area. Ask us your questions.

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Minnesota lawmaker drafting legislation to protect students from 'predatory grooming'

Minnesota lawmaker drafting legislation to protect students from 'predatory grooming'

State Rep. Liz Reyer plans to introduce new legislation to protect students from “predatory grooming,” following allegations against a former Eagan teacher and an MPR News story detailing how the system to prevent inappropriate relationships between teachers and students can fail.
by Clay Masters, Ngoc Bui and Lukas Levin

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White Earth Nation expands bison herd in northwest Minnesota

White Earth Nation expands bison herd in northwest Minnesota

The White Earth Nation Bison Program is advancing its food sovereignty goal by adding 45 new bison to its two herds near Naytahwaush and Mahnomen.
by Chandra Colvin

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Giant, floating pumpkin races draw large crowds to annual event in Oregon

Giant, floating pumpkin races draw large crowds to annual event in Oregon

Giant, floating pumpkin races have drawn large crowds to the Oregon city of Tualatin. The Portland suburb has hosted the event since 2004. In Sunday's event, giant pumpkins that originally weighed roughly 1,000 pounds were carved out, allowing them to float.
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for Oct. 21

Morning Announcements for Oct. 21

These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, Oct. 21. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota Vikings condemn racist messages sent to player

Minnesota Vikings condemn racist messages sent to player

The Minnesota Vikings are condemning racist comments directed at cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. Rodgers posted screenshots of several messages he received after Sunday’s loss; the messages contained expletives and racial slurs.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Rural health care in Minnesota: What's changing and why?

Rural health care in Minnesota: What's changing and why?

Mayo Clinic Health System recently announced it will end on-call labor and delivery services in Owatonna in November. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what it means for families — and for rural health care in Minnesota.
by Catharine Richert, Cari Dwyer, Nikhil Kumaran and Maja Beckstrom

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Miami Beach puts the art in offshore artificial reef

Miami Beach puts the art in offshore artificial reef

The artificial reef off Miami Beach will be at the same time an art installation, a restoration of the island's coral habitat and an underwater tourist attraction.
by Greg Allen

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Hollywood pushes OpenAI for consent

Hollywood pushes OpenAI for consent

The latest version of OpenAI’s Sora can quickly turn text prompts and simple images into studio quality videos, which left the entertainment industry deeply uneasy.
by Mandalit del Barco

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American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dies at 29

American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dies at 29

The Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky trained and worked as a coach, announced his death, calling him “a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community.”
by The Associated Press

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Senate Republicans head to the White House in a show of unity as the shutdown enters its fourth week

Senate Republicans head to the White House in a show of unity as the shutdown enters its fourth week

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans are headed to the White House — not for urgent talks on how to end it, but for a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands. 
by The Associated Press

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The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom

The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom

Dramatic photos show construction equipment tearing into the East Wing façade and windows, though the federal agency that oversees such projects has not approved President Trump's 90,000-square-foot, $250 million ballroom.
by The Associated Press

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Guilty pleas expected in Medicaid housing program fraud case

The first guilty pleas are expected soon in what prosecutors say was a massive scheme to defraud a Medicaid housing program.
by Phil Picardi

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Cold, windy and occasionally wet Tuesday

Cold, windy and occasionally wet Tuesday

It’ll be a raw day Tuesday with gusty northwest winds, occasional showers, and temps remaining in the 40s. Tuesday night will be frosty for western Minnesota. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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'Cancer doesn't care': Patients pushed past divisive politics to lobby Congress

'Cancer doesn't care': Patients pushed past divisive politics to lobby Congress

Hundreds of volunteer advocates put partisan differences aside and pressed Congress to help people with cancer. The advocacy came just before the stalemate that has shut down the federal government.
by Noam Levey

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Main Street grants boost many downtown Rochester businesses, but some still struggle

Main Street grants boost many downtown Rochester businesses, but some still struggle

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is doling out a final round of grants that were designed to keep businesses afloat during the retail doldrums of the pandemic. For Rochester recipients, it’s been a matter of surviving messy construction, too.
by Catharine Richert

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A Minnesota woman who cast her dead mother's ballot for Trump in 2024 must write an essay on voting

A Minnesota woman who cast her dead mother's ballot for Trump in 2024 must write an essay on voting

A Minnesota woman was convicted of filling out and submitting a mail-in ballot for her deceased mother in support of Republican Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election.
by The Associated Press

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