Stories from May 14, 2026

Gas prices jumped sharply at many Minnesota stations yesterday -- and that’s reflected in a spike in the statewide average price today. And advocates delivered a foot-high stack of petitions to Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth today demanding she let a gun control bill face a vote.
Native American artists on how residency program helps them preserve traditional art forms
During the Native American Artist-in-Residence Program at the Minnesota Historical Society, artists are financially supported and granted access to museums across the state to conduct research. Artists then create works based on their research.
Isolated showers and thunder before big Friday warmup
Scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder will continue to move across the region Thursday night as a weak disturbance passes through. Behind this activity, critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop Friday.
New project maps 50 years of Hmong Minnesotan history
The Hmong StoryMap Project by the Hmong Museum shares the stories behind more than 20 important historical and cultural sites. After a yearlong effort, the digital map will be unveiled Saturday.
Study: 1 in 50 HCMC violent trauma patients ended up as victims or perpetrators of homicides
The study links HCMC patient data from 2013-2022 and Minneapolis homicide data from 2018-2022. The authors believe the results are an undercount, because of the narrow timeframe and data from a single Level I trauma hospital.
Supreme Court revives suit against major logistics company with potentially big effects on industry
The Supreme Court says man can sue a major logistics company after he lost part of his leg in a semi tractor-trailer crash. The justices' unanimous decision Thursday could have big ripple effects across the trucking industry.
Your live music guide to this year's Art-A-Whirl with The Current's Diane Miller
Host of the Local Show on The Current, Diane Miller, gives her picks for this year’s Art-A-Whirl to help you navigate the stacked live music lineup taking place across Northeast Minneapolis this weekend.
18 years after disappearing, Brandon Swanson's legacy helps others be found faster
Brandon Swanson's disappearance in southwestern Minnesota led to changes in how missing person cases are handled. Back then, “if you were an adult, people had to wait for 24 hours” to file a missing persons report, a former journalist who followed the case told MPR News.
Beagles rescued from Wisconsin breeder set to find new homes in Minnesota
These are dogs that have never been outside, seen grass or had extensive human contact, Liv Hagen, welfare director for Animal Humane Society, told the MPR News Morning Edition show Thursday.
Morning Announcements for May 13-14
These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
Immigration and the Challenge to Belong
Understanding the unique mental health challenges for immigrants in the United States. This Call to Mind special program explores the unique mental health challenges for immigrants in America.
Postal Service releases special edition bald eagle stamps for America's 250th
The U.S. Postal Service is releasing special edition stamps featuring the bald eagle for America's 250th birthday. The stamps issued Thursday depict the eagle across five life stages, from hatchling to adult.
Legislators now have a financial framework from which to hammer out bills. An end-of-session deadline arrives this weekend given that lawmakers can’t pass bills after Sunday.
Warm and windy Thursday with showers, thunder possible later in the day
We will continue our warm weather Thursday and winds will pick up again. We also have some scattered showers and thunder chances later in the day with better chances by Sunday and Monday.
Navarro scores a goal, Rapids beat Minnesota 1-0 to snap 3-game losing streak
Rafael Navarro scored a goal, Nico Hansen had his first shutout this season, and the Colorado Rapids beat Minnesota United 1-0 to snap a three-game losing streak. The Rapids (5-7-1) went into the game winless in five straight and won for the first time since a 6-2 home victory over Houston on April 11. Hansen finished with two saves.
Brett Kulak scores 3:52 into OT, Avs advance to West final with 4-3 win over Wild
Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime after Nathan MacKinnon tied it late in regulation and the Colorado Avalanche advanced to the Western Conference final with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Will importers share their tariff refunds with customers in Minnesota?
Companies are starting to get refunds for tariffs that have been struck down by the Supreme Court. But many businesses that helped bear the costs of those tariffs aren’t eligible.
 As international student enrollment plummets, Minnesota educators look to boost support
Travel bans, visa restrictions and the threat of deportation in President Trump’s second term are presenting difficult challenges for international students. Enrollment has dropped sharply this spring from last year in Minnesota and across the country.
Minnesota readies first-ever K-12 health education standards
Advocates say the new standards, set to be phased in over the next three years, introduce needed guidance on nutrition, first aid, sex and abuse prevention. Some school watchers worry the standards will burden already overwhelmed educators.
Former state Sen. Eichorn pleads guilty in child solicitation sting
Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, was arrested in March 2025 following a sting operation. He pleaded guilty to texting with and arranging to meet someone who he believed to be a 17-year-old.
Allegiant Air and Sun Country complete merger, creating larger budget airline for travelers
Las Vegas-based Allegiant said the transaction closed after receiving required regulatory and shareholder approvals. When the deal was first announced in January, Allegiant said it was valued at about $1.5 billion, including debt.