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Stories from July 2, 2026

U of M researchers create world's first synthetic cell

U of M researchers create world's first synthetic cell

MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with synthetic biologist at the U of M College of Biological Sciences, Kate Adamala about the Spudcell.
by Jeff Jones and Clay Masters

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Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X has formally broken with Catholic Church

Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X has formally broken with Catholic Church

MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Susan Mulheron, the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, about the impact of this schism.
by Aron Woldeslassie and Clay Masters

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Olivia Miles only rookie named as starter in WNBA All-Star Game

Olivia Miles only rookie named as starter in WNBA All-Star Game

Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx is the only rookie named to be a starter in the 2026 WNBA All-Stars. She becomes only the second rookie in franchise history to be selected as a starter after Maya Moore in 2011. Her Lynx teammate and league veteran Natasha Howard was also named a starter for the All-Stars.
by The Associated Press and Anika Besst

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Heavy rain brings severe flooding to southern Minnesota

Severe flooding in some parts of southern and southeastern Minnesota has closed several roads and highways in the area.
by Emily Reese

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Flooding threat in southern Minnesota; more storms, heat ahead

Flooding threat in southern Minnesota; more storms, heat ahead

The chaotic “ring of fire” weather pattern continues through at least the Fourth of July. While helpful showers will ease Minnesota’s drought conditions, they will throw some challenges into planning around outdoor activities this holiday weekend.
by Ben Cathey

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Nationally watched lawsuit has judge weighing future of Minnesota ban on prediction markets

Nationally watched lawsuit has judge weighing future of Minnesota ban on prediction markets

A federal judge on Thursday heard arguments in a case dealing with Minnesota’s law making it a crime to host or advertise a prediction market. Several entities are suing to prevent it from taking effect next month.
by Dana Ferguson

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Wild acquire Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta in trade with Flames

Wild acquire Blake Coleman, Olli Maatta in trade with Flames

The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Jake Middleton and draft picks, including a 2029 second-round selection.
by The Associated Press

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After a year frozen in federal legal trouble, Isavela Lopez is finding her voice again

After a year frozen in federal legal trouble, Isavela Lopez is finding her voice again

Artist and activist Isavela Lopez became one of the first Minnesotans charged with anti-ICE actions, including assaulting and obstructing federal officers. Last week, she took a plea deal reducing her charges to a single misdemeanor.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Mississippi River cities turning to a new AI-assisted disaster insurance

Mississippi River cities turning to a new AI-assisted disaster insurance

Known as parametric insurance, it relies on satellites and sensors to alert when there is a weather event and an AI assistant to quickly assess the damage and make the appropriate pay out.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Veterans Campground in Washington County celebrates 100 years of comradery

Veterans Campground in Washington County celebrates 100 years of comradery

Veterans Campground opened in 1926, for disabled WWI veterans. It has now grown to be a place to rest and relax for all veterans. Last year it broke a record of more than 76,000 visitors.
by Nina Moini and Aleesa Kuznetsov

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Minnesota's drought gets a breather, not a break

Minnesota's drought gets a breather, not a break

After several rounds of beneficial rainfall, Minnesota's drought has finally caught a breather. While recent storms have helped prevent conditions from worsening and even chipped away at the state's most intense drought, large portions of central and northern Minnesota remain thirsty heading into July.
by Mandy Thalhuber

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Vatican excommunicates schismatic bishops and priests, and warns their followers

Vatican excommunicates schismatic bishops and priests, and warns their followers

The Vatican has responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent. The Vatican on Thursday declared that the Society of St. Pius X had formally broken with the Catholic Church and it excommunicated its bishops.
by The Associated Press

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Cheap Week: How to spend less on fun and entertainment

Cheap Week: How to spend less on fun and entertainment

Having fun doesn’t have to break the bank. MPR News host Angela Davis continues “Cheap Week” with ideas for saving money on entertainment, including live music, sporting events, theater and more.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Trump visits newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota's Badlands

Trump visits newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota's Badlands

President Donald Trump visited the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday. The $450 million library project explores the 26th president's life in the rugged, remote landscape where he roamed as a cowboy and big game hunter in the 1880s.
by The Associated Press

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Water rescues and roads closed: Torrential rains cause flash flooding in southern Minnesota

Water rescues and roads closed: Torrential rains cause flash flooding in southern Minnesota

Torrential rain early Thursday led to flash flooding across parts of southern Minnesota, leading to water rescues and forcing several roadway closures, including Interstate 90. It has since reopened.
by Andrew Krueger, Cathy Wurzer, Lukas Levin and Molly Castle Work

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Minnesota farmers face uncertainty as U.S. bails on Canada-Mexico trade pact

The U.S. has decided not to renew a key trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, leaving Minnesota's agriculture industry uncertain about those key markets. Meanwhile, lawmakers grilled the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ leader Wednesday about the agency’s process for revalidating Medicaid providers.
by Gracie Stockton

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Taj Bradley fans 11 in Twins' 8-3 win over the Astros

Taj Bradley fans 11 in Twins' 8-3 win over the Astros

Taj Bradley struck out 11 to tie his career high, Josh Bell, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 8-3 on Wednesday night. Bradley (7-3) allowed a run and four hits and walked four in five innings.
by The Associated Press

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Hotter Thursday with more storms possible

Hotter Thursday with more storms possible

Thursday will be hotter with highs near 90 degrees. More storms are possible later in the afternoon into the overnight. We have additional storm chances Friday and Saturday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Minnesota crop art is on display in Washington, D.C., for America’s 250th

Minnesota crop art is on display in Washington, D.C., for America’s 250th

Explore Minnesota partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to design the state’s pavilion in Washington, D.C. The pieces feature a dedication to Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis, a “croppie” fish and a “crop star.”
by Sam Stroozas

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Weeds, moisture, and labor shortages. Report shows where regional agriculture feels the most pain

Weeds, moisture, and labor shortages. Report shows where regional agriculture feels the most pain

A new report shows five pain points that’ve caused trouble for farmers in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota. Skilled labor shortages and less reliable weed control are among the biggest issues.
by Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval

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What would removing Twin Cities locks and dams mean for the Mississippi River?

What would removing Twin Cities locks and dams mean for the Mississippi River?

Some environmental groups think removing the locks and dams would help restore the ecological health of the river and create new recreational opportunities, but many questions remain. Several studies aim to provide answers.
by Kirsti Marohn

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‘Still feeling it’: How the ICE surge took its toll on one Minnesota school district

‘Still feeling it’: How the ICE surge took its toll on one Minnesota school district

The flood of federal immigration agents into the Twin Cities faded slowly over the spring. But in suburban Columbia Heights, educators, students and community members say the trauma lingers.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Art Hounds: Surreal drawings, sculpture strolls and a timely theatrical return

Art Hounds: Surreal drawings, sculpture strolls and a timely theatrical return

Art Hounds recommend for the holiday weekend: a surreal drawing exhibition, self-guided sculpture walks across Minnesota and a timely return of Michael Torsch’s “In the Backroom.”
by Emily Bright

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