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Stories from August 5, 2026

Homeland Security buys former prison in west-central Minnesota for $500 million

Homeland Security buys former prison in west-central Minnesota for $500 million

CoreCivic has sold the former Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton to the U.S. government for nearly $496 million, with the facility expected to house ICE detainees while CoreCivic continues managing operations.
by Jon Collins

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Farmfest gubernatorial debate; Walz wildfire update

A debate featuring four candidates for Minnesota governor showcased differences in style and substance today. The Farmfest stage was filled by likely Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and three Republicans vying for that nod: Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls. Governor Tim Walz says there is no need to extend a peacetime emergency declaration for the wildfires that have burned through parts of the Boundary Waters.
by Emily Reese

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Fargo-based country musician Zach Thomas to make debut at giant Detroit Lakes festival

Fargo-based country musician Zach Thomas to make debut at giant Detroit Lakes festival

WE Fest starts Wednesday outside Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Zach Thomas is from nearby Wendell, Minnesota and will play a set at the festival for the first time Thursday.
by Kelly Gordon and Alanna Elder

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A look at trends in driver's license road tests in Minnesota

A look at trends in driver's license road tests in Minnesota

State data shows older teens seeking driver’s licenses are failing road tests at higher rates than 16 and 17-year-olds. A test examiner says that lines up with what he’s seen behind the wheel.
by Kelly Gordon and Ellen Finn

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Opening tangle in Minnesota governor’s race shows contrasts between Klobuchar, 3 GOP rivals

Opening tangle in Minnesota governor’s race shows contrasts between Klobuchar, 3 GOP rivals

Democrat Amy Klobuchar shared a debate stage with Republican governor candidates Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls to discuss rural policy and what they’d do if given the title by voters.
by Dana Ferguson

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Walz: No need to extend peacetime emergency for Boundary Waters wildfires

Walz: No need to extend peacetime emergency for Boundary Waters wildfires

Those fires, sparked by lightning, have burned tens of thousands of acres over the past month. But fire activity has been relatively calm in recent days, as hundreds of firefighters from across the country work to contain them.
by Peter Cox

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Spike in cooling demand — not only this summer

Spike in cooling demand — not only this summer

A timely report was just released by Climate Central, which is a nonpartisan and nonprofit group that we’ve worked with for years. They looked at a bunch of America’s biggest cities, but we’ll only focus on Minnesota.
by Ben Cathey

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Walz, other Minnesota officials to give update on Boundary Waters wildfires

Walz, other Minnesota officials to give update on Boundary Waters wildfires

The briefing comes as recent rainfall and cooler weather — along with the ongoing work of hundreds of firefighters — have brought containment of the Boundary Waters wildfires to more than 50 percent.
by MPR News Staff

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Morning Announcements for Aug. 5

Morning Announcements for Aug. 5

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

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Addressing the mental health strain on public leaders

Addressing the mental health strain on public leaders

Public office has always been demanding, but is the pressure getting worse? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about why more local leaders are sharing their struggles with mental health, why it matters and what can help.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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St. Paul set to clear homeless encampment at Pig's Eye Park

Several neighbors and advocates say the city should delay the encampment clearing. Between a 120 to 250 people live at Pig's Eye Park. Meanwhile, Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.
by Phineas Pope

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Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in major victory for Democrats’ progressive wing

Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in major victory for Democrats’ progressive wing

Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in a massive victory for the party’s progressive wing in a battleground state. El-Sayed defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and will face Republican Mike Rogers, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary, in a November matchup.
by The Associated Press

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‘Difficult to say goodbye’: Residents, volunteers worry what’s next as St. Paul clears encampment

‘Difficult to say goodbye’: Residents, volunteers worry what’s next as St. Paul clears encampment

Many residents said they aren’t sure where they will go after the encampment is cleared out on Wednesday. Over 100 people were living at the camp when the mayor’s office announced the closure last month.
by Cari Spencer

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Target Field concession workers plan one-day strike during Noah Kahan concert

Target Field concession workers plan one-day strike during Noah Kahan concert

Target Field concession workers will strike during Wednesday’s sold-out Noah Kahan concert as contract negotiations with Delaware North remain stalled over wage increases, tipped-worker classifications and health care eligibility.
by Regina Medina

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After near-fatal fall, Minneapolis police and fire officials warn of dangers of 'urban exploring'

After near-fatal fall, Minneapolis police and fire officials warn of dangers of 'urban exploring'

Minneapolis Police Sgt. Garrett Parten said the victim, whose name has not been released, reportedly was hanging from a beam when they fell about 20 stories. Parten said it’s “miraculous” the victim survived.
by Andrew Krueger

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Winona police want to know who stole their Flock surveillance cameras

Winona police want to know who stole their Flock surveillance cameras

The police say that over the weekend, officers found the poles the cameras were mounted on had been cut down and the cameras were gone. Flock cameras are stirring controversy across the country as they compile license plate and other vehicle details in a national database.
by Catharine Richert

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Landmark southern Minnesota water tower to be demolished this week

Landmark southern Minnesota water tower to be demolished this week

The city of Zumbrota said its old water tower near U.S. Highway 52 will be taken down on Thursday, after being rendered obsolete by recent water system upgrades.
by Andrew Krueger

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