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Stories from May 5, 2026

Hermantown data center update; DHS commissioner on medical leave

The Hermantown City Council voted last night to table a vote on a massive Google data center. The tech giant wants to build a nearly $2 billion complex in the city near Duluth. And Minnesota's newly named temporary commissioner for the Department of Human Services is out on medical leave for at least the next month.
by Emily Reese

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Minneapolis emergency rent relief fund on track to dole out $300K in the first month

Minneapolis emergency rent relief fund on track to dole out $300K in the first month

The Minneapolis city council approved $2 million in emergency rent relief funds. The funding is being administered by Hennepin County and three community organizations. In the first two weeks $150,000 has gone out to residents.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Local academic, CEO publishes new framework for social change

Local academic, CEO publishes new framework for social change

Brittany Lewis explains in her new book, "Building a New Table: A Community-Centered Handbook for Transformative Social Change,” how to be inclusive in a research setting.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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Minnesota State Fair assistant police chief sues Ramsey County sheriff for retaliation

Minnesota State Fair assistant police chief sues Ramsey County sheriff for retaliation

The Minnesota State Fair assistant police chief said in a whistleblower lawsuit that Ramsey County Sheriff Robert Fletcher tried to have him fired for reporting Fletcher’s alleged use of chemical munitions on bystanders.
by Regina Medina

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Minnesota woman in ICE detention with ovarian cyst denied humanitarian parole

Minnesota woman in ICE detention with ovarian cyst denied humanitarian parole

Rep. Angie Craig told MPR News that Andrea Pedro-Francisco, who has been seeking medical care for her tennis ball sized cyst from ICE detention in Texas, will not be released for treatment.
by Nina Moini, Aleesa Kuznetsov and Ellen Finn

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Delta cutting back on snacks and beverage service on shorter flights

Delta cutting back on snacks and beverage service on shorter flights

Delta Air Lines — which handles more than 70 percent of passengers flying to and from the Twin Cities — says it will no longer offer snacks and beverages to most passengers on flights of less than 350 miles.
by MPR News Staff

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Morning Announcements for May 5

Morning Announcements for May 5

These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, May 5. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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ICE is giving local police big money to help with immigration enforcement

ICE is giving local police big money to help with immigration enforcement

The federal government is offering local law enforcement incentives to join a program that gives their officers authority to make immigration arrests. Police leaders say the funds, which include money for salaries, equipment and vehicles, are enticing.
by Meg Anderson

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See the looks from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet

See the looks from the 2026 Met Gala red carpet

Extravagantly dressed celebrities and designers made their way up the famous Met staircase Monday evening. The fundraiser is one of the fashion industry’s biggest nights.
by Emily Bogle and Ivy Buck

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MPR News arts reporters on covering Minnesota music, theater and the arts

MPR News arts reporters on covering Minnesota music, theater and the arts

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with MPR News arts and culture reporters about shows and exhibits you won’t want to miss, and some of the challenges facing Minnesota arts organizations.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's State of the City address, first since ICE surge

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's State of the City address, first since ICE surge

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave his annual State of the City address Tuesday. It was his first State of the City gathering since the federal immigration enforcement surge earlier this year.
by MPR News Staff and Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to give State of the City address Tuesday

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will give his annual State of the City address Tuesday. It will be his first State of the City gathering since the federal immigration enforcement surge earlier this year. Meanwhile, it’ difficult for the courts to claw back public money stolen through fraud. So a group of Minnesota legislators are trying a new approach to create a tax on fraud.
by Phineas Pope

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U.S. pushes to reopen Strait of Hormuz as Iranian attacks on UAE strain ceasefire

U.S. pushes to reopen Strait of Hormuz as Iranian attacks on UAE strain ceasefire

The secretary of defense Pete Hegseth holds a press conference as the U.S. military says it fired on Iranian forces while moving to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces are guiding commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds have been stuck since the Iran war began.
by The Associated Press

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Chilly Tuesday with frost potential overnight

Chilly Tuesday with frost potential overnight

Chilly air has settled around and is sticking around for a few days. It will lead to at least patchy overnight frost potential. More seasonable temperatures return for the weekend.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Hermantown tables vote on key agreements for contentious Google data center

Hermantown tables vote on key agreements for contentious Google data center

The Hermantown City Council voted Monday night to table a decision on a tax break and development plan for a proposed Google data center. The project promises to provide tens of millions of dollars for the city and schools — but has bitterly divided residents.
by Dan Kraker

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Edwards returns and Timberwolves overcome big game by Wembanyama to beat Spurs 104-102 in Game 1

Edwards returns and Timberwolves overcome big game by Wembanyama to beat Spurs 104-102 in Game 1

Anthony Edwards scored 18 points in his unexpected return from injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a huge game by Victor Wembanyama and held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals.
by The Associated Press

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A grieving Minneapolis family joins others to honor missing, murdered Indigenous relatives

A grieving Minneapolis family joins others to honor missing, murdered Indigenous relatives

A year after Evan Denny’s death, his mother joins other families to honor loved ones on a day of remembrance for missing and murdered Indigenous people. The day comes as the state’s MMIR office has seen more families coming forward for case assistance.
by Melissa Olson

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Can Minnesota tax fraud? The Legislature is considering it with bipartisan backing

Can Minnesota tax fraud? The Legislature is considering it with bipartisan backing

A bipartisan group of legislators wants to create a new tax on fraud. The “Take It Back Act” would impose a 100 percent tax on individuals or organizations convicted of defrauding state programs.
by Cait Kelley

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Walz boots Human Services commissioner, cites need for stronger oversight

Walz boots Human Services commissioner, cites need for stronger oversight

The news came just one day before the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee was scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Shireen Gandhi’s position as commissioner.
by Erica Zurek

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Edwards cleared to play for Timberwolves in series opener against Spurs after expedited rehab

Edwards cleared to play for Timberwolves in series opener against Spurs after expedited rehab

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has been cleared to play Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, returning 10 days after hyperextending his left knee.
by The Associated Press

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