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Stories from May 21, 2026

NASCAR champion Kyle Busch dies at 41 after hospitalization with 'severe illness'

NASCAR champion Kyle Busch dies at 41 after hospitalization with 'severe illness'

Kyle Busch, who won more races than anyone across NASCAR's three national series, has died at 41. A joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said he died after being hospitalized.
by The Associated Press

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Feeding Our Future founder sentenced; Feds announce charges in fraud allegations

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock has been sentenced to 500 months in prison -- that’s nearly 42 years -- for orchestrating what investigators say was the nation’s largest COVID-era fraud scheme. Bock was also ordered to pay $243 million in restitution. And federal authorities announced today they’ve filed criminal charges against 15 Minnesotans accused of stealing millions from federal programs.
by Emily Reese

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City of Minneapolis moves ahead with development at George Floyd Square

City of Minneapolis moves ahead with development at George Floyd Square

A team of city staff recommended Minnesota Agape Movement as a developer for the Peoples’ Way, a defunct gas station at George Floyd Square. That’s been met with some backlash, as the city approaches six years since Floyd was murdered.
by Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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10 years after killing of north Minneapolis grandmother Birdell Beeks, her daughter carries on her legacy

10 years after killing of north Minneapolis grandmother Birdell Beeks, her daughter carries on her legacy

Birdell Beeks was killed while sitting in her car, caught in the crossfire of a shooting on May 26, 2016. Her daughter is honoring her mother’s legacy by successfully asking the city to place her mother’s name on the street sign over the very intersection in north Minneapolis where her life was taken.
by Nina Moini, Alanna Elder and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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'That’s a Rap!': Duluth music education program strives to help youth find their voice

'That’s a Rap!': Duluth music education program strives to help youth find their voice

The program comes out of the Music Resource Center and the Kako Foundation. The instructor, Terrell Grier, and Rudy Perrault, president of the Kako Foundation, joined Minnesota Now to share more about it.
by Nina Moini and Alanna Elder

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Minnesota job growth rebounds in April after months of losses

Minnesota job growth rebounds in April after months of losses

In April, Minnesota posted its largest over-the-month increase since March of 2024. Officials say this could reflect an initial rebound from the economic impact of federal immigration enforcement actions at the start of the year.
by Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval

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Helpful rain Friday night, stunning Memorial Day

Helpful rain Friday night, stunning Memorial Day

The new drought report is largely unchanged, rain is on tap later Friday night, and we’re sharply warmer into next week.
by Ben Cathey

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A guide to converting your lawn into a wildlife friendly garden 

A guide to converting your lawn into a wildlife friendly garden 

Turning your grass into a garden isn't as complicated as you think, but it will take time and effort. This step-by-step guide breaks down the process, from killing your lawn to picking plants to grow.
by Celia Llopis-Jepsen

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Morning Announcements for May 20-21

Morning Announcements for May 20-21

These are the Morning Announcements for Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21. Tell us what you’re celebrating!
by MPR News Staff

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The rising cost of housing in Minnesota

The rising cost of housing in Minnesota

Housing costs keep rising — for both renters and homebuyers. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks about what’s driving up housing prices in Minnesota, and what can be done to make housing more affordable.
by Catharine Richert and Nikhil Kumaran

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Feds charge 15 with bilking Medicaid programs in Minnesota

Feds charge 15 with bilking Medicaid programs in Minnesota

Federal authorities on Thursday alleged that more than $90 million was stolen from seven state-managed Medicaid programs, including one meant to help children with autism and another intended to help vulnerable people find stable homes.
by Matt Sepic, MPR News Staff and Kyra Miles

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COVID is shaping Americans' reaction to Ebola and hantavirus

COVID is shaping Americans' reaction to Ebola and hantavirus

Some Americans seem to be extra-alarmed about Ebola and hantavirus in the wake of COVID-19. But public health experts say they don't expect another pandemic this time.
by Ava Berger

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State park camping and lodging units nearly fully booked for Memorial Day weekend

As of late last week, the Minnesota DNR said fewer than 3 percent of state park camping and lodging units remained available for the full holiday weekend coming up. As in years past, the best odds for finding an open site are in northwest Minnesota — including Lake Bronson, Old Mill and Zippel Bay state parks.
by Phineas Pope

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Dry Thursday with rain developing Friday

Dry Thursday with rain developing Friday

We’ll see another seasonably cool day Thursday with dry weather. The next disturbance will develop rain showers Friday into early Saturday. Temps trend upward this weekend.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Aimee Bock sentenced to 500 months in Feeding Our Future fraud case

Aimee Bock sentenced to 500 months in Feeding Our Future fraud case

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock was sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison after prosecutors say she led a massive scheme that stole hundreds of millions of dollars from pandemic-era child nutrition programs.
by Matt Sepic

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Rochester's DMC gives UMR $3 million for new class and lab space to train future workforce

Rochester's DMC gives UMR $3 million for new class and lab space to train future workforce

The University of Minnesota Rochester wants to build a new, $10 million lab and classroom space near Mayo Clinic to train Rochester's future workforce. The school says it would be a win for the growing university and the city. The board overseeing the Destination Medical Center project is committing $3 million to it.
by Catharine Richert

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Flanders wildfire battle winding down as Crow Wing County takes stock of damage

Flanders wildfire battle winding down as Crow Wing County takes stock of damage

The county board extended its local emergency for the Flanders fire and is working to assess the cost of damages. The investigation continues into who is responsible for causing the blaze, which is now fully contained.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Pup-date from Ridglan beagle foster mom ahead of dog's adoption day

Pup-date from Ridglan beagle foster mom ahead of dog's adoption day

Tristan Keene has been caring for a beagle she calls Theo and says she’s surprised with how well he’s adjusting to his own firsts: touching grass, being on a bed and playing with a toy.
by Emily Bright and Gracie Stockton

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Minneapolis City Council to vote on new police training center

Minneapolis City Council to vote on new police training center

The proposed training center, located in the Windom neighborhood of south Minneapolis, would include training and wellness spaces for first responders, including the city’s police and fire departments.
by Ellie Roth

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