Stories from June 12, 2025

Despite EV boom, Minnesotans slower to embrace electric vehicles than many other states
MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Walker Orenstein about Minnesota’s EV market, the need for supportive infrastructure and the distracting political rhetoric.
Authorities release more details after two campers found dead at Isle Royale National Park
Authorities at Isle Royale National Park on Thursday say they have identified two people found dead earlier in the week at a remote backcountry campground. Authorities have not released the names of the two people and have not yet said how they died.
Health care safety net braces for higher demand after cancellation of coverage for undocumented immigrants
To learn more about the impact to health care systems, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Kimberly Spates, CEO of NorthPoint Health and Wellness, a community health center in north Minneapolis.
Smoke then soak: What's ahead in the forecast
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has once again triggered an air quality alert across parts of Minnesota. Our forecast calls for heavy rainfall, potentially washing some of the smoke out of the air.
Twins’ Byron Buxton hits 479-foot homer, second-longest in majors this season
Byron Buxton hit the second-longest home run in the majors this season, a 479-foot, three-run shot for the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night in a 6-2 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Twins trade reliever Alcala to Red Sox for minor leaguer
The Minnesota Twins have dealt struggling reliever Jorge Alcala to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor leaguer Andy Lugo. The 29-year-old Alcala has an 8.88 ERA in 22 appearances for the Twins this year.
Supreme Court rules for Minnesota girl with epilepsy in opinion that could affect education access lawsuits
The Supreme Court is siding with a teenage girl from the Osseo school district with a rare form of epilepsy in a ruling that could make it easier for families like hers to go to court over access to education. 
Buxton’s 479-foot homer powers Twins to 6-2 win over Rangers
Byron Buxton launched a 479-foot home run, the second-longest in the majors this season, to power the Minnesota Twins past the Texas Rangers 6-2. Buxton’s three-run shot to center field off starter Jack Leiter was the longest of his 144 career homers, and it gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead in the third inning.
Seattle ends Minnesota’s season-opening winning streak at 9, beating the Lynx 94-84
Nneka Ogwumike had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Erica Wheeler added 20 points and six assists and the Seattle Storm ended Minnesota’s season-opening winning streak at nine, beating the Lynx 94-84 on Wednesday night.
What new limits on international students mean for Minnesota
The immigration crackdown by the Trump administration is extending to people who want to study at colleges and universities in the U.S. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what it means for higher education in Minnesota. 
Majorities in key U.S. allies have no confidence in Trump’s global leadership
People in 15 of 24 countries downgraded ratings of the U.S., according to the survey of more than 28,000. Majorities in almost every country surveyed describe Trump as “arrogant” and “dangerous.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will be in the hot seat on Capitol Hill during a U.S. House hearing on immigration enforcement. Around 200 people lined up along the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue bridge between Minneapolis and St. Paul Wednesday to protest the Trump administration’s actions on immigration enforcement. 
Walz, Democratic governors defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panel
Republicans in Congress called several Democratic governors to Washington on Thursday to question them over policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Relics of Minnesota history play bingo
The Minnesota History Center is holding a new event to showcase archival footage through a bingo game. The Thursday, June 12 event will include segments from KSTP broadcasts, commercials, home videos, film projects and interviews with famous Minnesotan women as a nod to a traveling exhibit that closed just a week ago at the center named “Girlhood (It’s Complicated).”
The murals spoke out: Reflecting on protest art in the wake of George Floyd's murder
After George Floyd’s murder, a group of Minneapolis artists formed Creatives After Curfew to process grief and demand justice through murals — work that once drew wide support but now faces fading interest and shifting cultural priorities.
Anti-ICE protest draws crowd to Twin Cities bridge
A protest of the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement drew around 200 people to the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue bridge between Minneapolis and St. Paul Wednesday afternoon. A larger demonstration is planned for Saturday.
Minneapolis, St. Paul schools work to close deficits. St. Paul to ask voters for more money
School district leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul this week pushed ahead on plans to close budget gaps for the next school year. St. Paul officials also said they’d ask city voters this fall to approve additional funding in a referendum.