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Stories from May 19, 2026

Late-season freeze overnight, unsettled start to Memorial Day weekend

Late-season freeze overnight, unsettled start to Memorial Day weekend

If you thought the recent sunshine and warmth were the start of something semi-permanent, you might be in for a rude awakening come Wednesday morning. A freeze warning and frost advisory cover most of the state.
by Ben Cathey

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Flanders fire evacuation order lifted, campfire possible culprit

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it has located the origin of the Flanders Fire near the north shore of Flanders Lake. The fire started early Saturday afternoon and grew to more than 1,600 acres. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang says individuals appear to have started a campfire near Flanders Lake on Saturday or the night before. Minnesota is being sued by a federal agency over a new state law banning prediction markets.
by Emily Reese

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Looking ahead to Minnesota's pre-professional women's soccer season with Rochester Loons

Looking ahead to Minnesota's pre-professional women's soccer season with Rochester Loons

Minnesota’s women’s pre-professional soccer teams, the Minnesota Aurora and Rochester FC will play each other on Thursday. Rochester FC’s head coach and team captain talked to MPR News host Nina Moini about the team’s evolution.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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With AI the norm, local professor explores what it means to get an education

With AI the norm, local professor explores what it means to get an education

With the right prompting, generative AI programs can write a compelling essay in seconds. Macalester College Environmental Studies chair Chris Wells is using a newsletter to look at how he and his colleagues are rethinking teaching in a world saturated with generative AI.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Lack of legislation to support immigrants post-surge leaves 'dire' situation

Lack of legislation to support immigrants post-surge leaves 'dire' situation

Proposals to provide relief to businesses affected by the surge of federal agents didn’t pass this session. And Aaron Sepulveda with the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs predicts the full impact from this winter’s operation are yet to be seen.
by Nina Moini and Ngoc Bui

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Fear of deportation and delays discourage some immigrants from seeking citizenship 

Fear of deportation and delays discourage some immigrants from seeking citizenship 

Applying for U.S. citizenship is often considered a key step toward remaining securely in the country. But immigration attorneys and advocates in Minnesota say fear is keeping some eligible immigrants from applying altogether.
by Sarah Thamer

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These men voted for President Trump. They have very different views of how he's doing

These men voted for President Trump. They have very different views of how he's doing

Two Black men from Georgia who voted for President Trump in 2024 have very different views of how the country is doing now, in the first installment of Swing Shift from NPR's Tamara Keith.
by Tamara Keith

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Minnesota will host 2028 NFL Draft

Minnesota will host 2028 NFL Draft

The National Football League announced Tuesday that the 2028 NFL Draft will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium, with associated fan events taking place over several days around the Twin Cities and beyond.
by MPR News Staff

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Prosecution of ICE agents in Minnesota is uncharted legal territory

Prosecution of ICE agents in Minnesota is uncharted legal territory

A second ICE agent is now facing state criminal charges for actions during the surge of federal immigration agents to the state this past winter. With no federal cooperation, the legal path forward is novel and uncertain.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Capitol cash injection will keep HCMC open, Hennepin Co. commissioner says

Capitol cash injection will keep HCMC open, Hennepin Co. commissioner says

The legislative aid for HCMC, the state’s largest trauma center, includes $205 million in state support this year and access to a $500 million reserve account available through 2031.
by Emily Bright and Lukas Levin

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Minnesota becomes first state to ban prediction markets

Minnesota becomes first state to ban prediction markets

While dozens of states have taken legal action against the controversial industry, Minnesota is the first state to pass a law making it a felony for companies like Kalshi and Polymarket to operate.
by Bobby Allyn

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Morning Announcements for May 19

Morning Announcements for May 19

These are the Morning Announcements for Tuesday, May 19. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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'We stay the course.' Minnesota historians react to the push to patriotize history

'We stay the course.' Minnesota historians react to the push to patriotize history

In 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order that mandated a shift in how American history is portrayed in federal institutions. The goal was to move away from “divisive or anti-American” ideology and promote a more “patriotic” narrative. How are Minnesota historians and museum directors responding to that pressure?
by Angela Davis and Kelly Gordon

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Walz appoints Justice Theodora Gaïtas to lead Minnesota Supreme Court

Walz appoints Justice Theodora Gaïtas to lead Minnesota Supreme Court

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday appointed Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas to serve as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and he appointed Ramsey County District Court Judge Reynaldo Aligada Jr. as a new associate justice.
by Dana Ferguson

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Authorities say Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors is fully contained; Highway 61 reopens

Authorities say Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors is fully contained; Highway 61 reopens

Authorities say the destructive Stewart Trail wildfire northeast of Two Harbors is now fully contained. Wildland firefighting crews on the North Shore have been aided by cooler, more humid weather and light rain.
by Dan Kraker and MPR News Staff

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Flanders Fire is 60 percent contained. Stewart Trail Fire is now 100 percent contained

Authorities say the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County was 60 percent contained as of Monday evening. Crews were also fighting the Stewart Trail Fire along the North Shore near Two Harbors. That fire has now been contained.
by Phineas Pope

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Cool, windy Tuesday with a few showers

Cool, windy Tuesday with a few showers

We’ll see cooler than normal temperatures today behind the system of the last two days. It’ll also be windy with some lingering showers. Brighter and warmer conditions will return.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Flanders fire evacuation order lifted, campfire possible culprit

Flanders fire evacuation order lifted, campfire possible culprit

Residents are being allowed back to their homes and properties now that an evacuation order has been lifted. Firefighters and equipment are starting to be demobilized. And the Crow Wing County Sheriff says a campfire may have been the source of the blaze.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Home listings rose in Minnesota for April, but inventory remains low

Home listings rose in Minnesota for April, but inventory remains low

New data from an area realtors group shows new home listings jumped in Minnesota between April 2025 and last month. But the inventory of home sales is still too low for a balanced market.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Prosecutors seek 50-year sentence for Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock

Prosecutors seek 50-year sentence for Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock to 50 years in prison for orchestrating what they call the nation’s largest COVID-19 fraud scheme. Bock’s attorney is seeking a three-year sentence.
by Matt Sepic

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