Stories from May 9, 2025

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecasts moderately active air quality this summer
Forecast models predict four to seven days where ozone levels may be unhealthy for sensitive groups and between 12 and 16 days of wildfire smoke impacts in Minnesota this summer.
The heat is on: Very warm temps, fire weather watch this weekend
Unseasonably warm temperatures are forecast across the region this weekend with highs climbing into the upper 80s and low 90s. The combination of dry conditions, low humidity and gusty winds has prompted a fire weather watch.
Catholics across Minnesota reacted with surprise and excitement after Chicago-born Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, was named the next pope on Thursday afternoon. The opening of the summer fishing season this weekend is expected to bring a flood of anglers to Minnesota lakes.
Anthony Edwards scares the Timberwolves with a sprained ankle before returning in strong finish
The Minnesota Timberwolves have seen Anthony Edwards writhing in pain on the floor several times throughout his career before eventually welcoming their star guard back to the game.
Brooks Lee’s go-ahead double in 8th leads Twins to 5-2 victory over Orioles for series sweep
Brooks Lee had a go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning to propel the Minnesota Twins to a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep with their fifth straight victory. 
This Twin Cities playwright honors the range of the Hmong experience on stage
Katie Ka Vang moved to Minnesota when she was 18 years old and has collaborated with theaters across the Twin Cities. Her plays often center around the question of what it means to be Hmong American.
‘Burn ‘em!’: The deafening roar of drag racing returns to Minnesota’s oldest strip
The roar of souped-up engines filled the air in Glyndon last weekend, as Minnesota’s oldest drag racing strip reopened after a three year hiatus. Brothers Chuck and Kyle Rolie formed Rolie Racing to bring drag racing back to Interstate Raceway, where their grandfather once raced.
Federal job watch: So far more of a ‘He-cession’ than a ‘She-cession’
As of mid-March, federal job losses were much more notable among men than women. The APM Research Lab’s analysis of national data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a net loss of 15,000 federal jobs for men, compared to just 2,000 for women.
Timberwolves tie series with 117-93 win vs. Curry-less Warriors behind Randle’s 24 points
Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves through another uneven performance, this time capitalizing on Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absence in a 117-93 victory on Thursday that tied the second-round playoff series at one game apiece.