Stories from May 4, 2026

Wild seek a reset after a crazy 9-6 to Colorado in Game 1, coach John Hynes ponders lineup
Precisely what changes, if any, might be in store for the Wild before Game 2 on Tuesday night will be revealed in due time. Wild coach John Hynes is still weighing lineup decisions, including who might be in net.
BCA identifies man killed by Richfield police
One officer reportedly scuffled with the man who, while on his back, shot the officer in the hand. That officer and another then fatally shot the man.
The Legislature has two more weeks to complete its session work, and Capitol leaders are still in search of agreements on key issues. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Board of Pardons held an emergency meeting Monday to grant clemency to a man facing deportation to Laos because of a past conviction.
Minnesota grants pardon to man facing imminent deportation after ICE arrest
Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Attorney General Keith Ellison held an emergency meeting Monday to consider clemency for At “Ricky” Chandee, who was scheduled to be deported early this week.
Chilly air settles into Minnesota again
The chilly air of last week has returned for the next few days. That means cool days and potentially frosty nights for some. Temperatures warm back up this weekend.
Minnesota Star Tribune wins breaking news Pulitzer for coverage of Mass shooting
The Minnesota Star Tribune’s coverage of last year’s mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school took the Pulitzer Prize on Monday for breaking news Judges praised the “thoroughness and compassion” of the newspaper’s reporting on a scene of carnage in its hometown.
Playoff bonanza: Wild fall in high-scoring game, Wolves fans hopeful for Anthony Edwards' return
Edwards was on the court practicing Monday ahead of the start of the Timberwolves round 2 series against the San Antonio Spurs. He had injured his knee in Game 4 of Minnesota's opening round series with the Denver Nuggets.
In its 3rd year, North Star Promise helping Minnesotans obtain free college and boost enrollment
May 1 was college decision day and thousands of Minnesotans were able to chose a school to go to tuition-free. That’s thanks to the North Star Promise program, which supports low-income families in getting a higher education.
Former Metro Transit police chief left department following sexual harassment allegations
The former chief, Ernest Morales III, denied that he sexually harassed employees. The allegations came to light in a POST Board filing made public last month — more than 20 months after Morales was placed on leave from the department.
Morning Announcements for May 4
These are the Morning Announcements for Monday, May 4. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Minnesota Senate approves firearm restrictions, school safety funding; fate is murkier in House
The bill would ban the sale of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, boost funding for school safety measures and mental health and encourage school districts to adopt anonymous threat reporting systems.
Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, WHO says
Hantaviruses are usually spread by exposure to urine, saliva or feces from infected rodents, such as rats or mice. Hantavirus infections are rare but can cause deadly respiratory infections.
Supreme Court restores access to abortion pill mifepristone through telehealth, mail and pharmacies
The Supreme Court has restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a ruling that had threatened to upend one of the main ways abortion is provided across the nation. The justices’ order Monday allows women seeking abortions to obtain the pill at pharmacies or through the mail, without an in-person visit to a doctor.
Inside the newsroom: How journalists make the call during breaking news
When breaking news hits, the pressure to be first is intense. But what does it take to be right? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how our newsroom verifies what’s real before it reaches you.
Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical condition, his spokesman says
A spokesman for Rudolph Giuliani says the ex-mayor of New York City and former Trump adviser is in critical but stable condition at a hospital. Spokesman Ted Goodman didn’t say what sent the 81-year-old to the hospital or how long he’s been there.
U.S. denies Iran struck a military vessel during new effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military denies Iran's claim of striking a U.S. Navy vessel. This comes as the U.S. now offers to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds have been stuck since the Iran war began. On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom" to aid stranded seafarers and warned Iran against blocking ships.
Here’s how medication abortion works with just one drug that’s still fully available
A federal appeals court ruling restricts telemedicine access to the abortion drug mifepristone for the whole country, at least temporarily. But another drug that remains available is safe and effective at ending early pregnancy.
Expect traffic delays on a busy central Minnesota highway over the next couple of months as a detour goes into effect starting Monday. That detour is along U.S. Highway 10 just east of Wadena. Meanwhile, the number of people canceling or not using their permit to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness rose again in 2025.
Cooler pattern returns this week
A cold front is sliding across Minnesota Monday, touching off spotty showers and dropping temperatures for the remainder of the week. We’ll warm again over the upcoming weekend.
Gobert, Wembanyama set to match wits as Spurs, Timberwolves meet in West semifinal matchup
Rudy Gobert recognized Victor Wembanyama's potential when he was just 13. Now, the basketball world sees it too. Gobert and Wembanyama, both French centers, face off in the NBA's Western Conference semifinals. Game 1 is Monday night in San Antonio.
Wolves say Edwards is questionable for Game 1 despite knee injury
Anthony Edwards might be back for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, barely a week after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
 Colorado Avalanche outlast Minnesota Wild 9-6 in Game 1 of second-round playoff series
Cale Makar scored twice in the third period after returning from an earlier injury and the Colorado Avalanche overcame blowing a three-goal lead to beat the Minnesota Wild 9-6 on Sunday night in a wacky Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
Tax breaks for data centers? Minnesota cities weigh incentives to lure the mega-projects 
Hermantown officials are expected to vote Monday night on a proposal to extend tax incentives to Google in exchange for city and school funding and infrastructure costs — and the largest private investment in the city’s history.
Agriculture is changing. To protect farmers from stress, mental health support has to change, too
Studies show that rising costs and trade turmoil are leading to increased rates of stress, depression and suicide in farm country. Mental health providers say farmers are seeking help, but the healthcare system needs to rethink how care is delivered to be effective.
Boundary Waters canceled permits, no-shows up last year
The U.S. Forest Service says more than 40 percent of permit reservations for May 1 through Sept. 30 of last year were never used.