Stories from June 26, 2025

Joe Ryan is pitching like the ace the struggling Twins badly need
The Minnesota Twins recently held a special meeting for their pitching staff to address the failures, frustrations and path forward. Joe Ryan followed it up with a stellar start they badly needed.
The wife of Vance Boelter — the man charged in the killing of State Rep. Melissa Hortman — has released her first public statement since the shootings. More rain is expected across central and southern Minnesota today, following storms that caused flash flooding yesterday.
Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary turned acclaimed TV journalist, dead at 91
Moyers' career ranged from youthful Baptist minister to deputy director of the Peace Corps, from Johnson’s press secretary to newspaper publisher, senior news analyst for “The CBS Evening News” and chief correspondent for “CBS Reports.”
'Water vapor is a greenhouse gas': The little-known but growing climate concern
MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked to John Abraham, thermal sciences professor and mechanical engineering program director at University of St. Thomas, about water vapor and  hydrologic cycle.
As Anna Wintour shifts her focus, 'Vogue' is looking for a new U.S. editor
Vogue magazine in the U.S. will soon have a new editorial head. Anna Wintour announced that, after nearly 40 years in the position, she will be focus on her wider roles at Vogue and Condé Nast.
Tornado watch until 8 p.m. for southeastern Minnesota
Heavy rain and thunderstorms continue across southeastern Minnesota Thursday evening, with a tornado watch in effect until 8 p.m. Skies will gradually clear through the day on Friday, bringing dry conditions and some sunshine, though temperatures will remain below average.
Five Native leaders tapped for Bush Foundation fellowships
Five Native Americans have been selected by the Bush Foundation for its prestigious Bush Fellows program for 2025, each with plans to build and enrich their personal leadership skills while forging a vision for themselves and their communities.
Medicaid changes don't meet Senate rules in 'big, beautiful bill' says parliamentarian
The nonpartisan Senate official whose office determines if legislation fits within the rules of the chamber dealt Senate Republicans a blow on proposed changes to Medicaid.
Vance Boelter's wife releases statement after his arrest for Minnesota lawmaker shootings
In the statement, Jenny Boelter expressed sympathies to the Hortman and Hoffman families, and recounted the hours after her husband allegedly shot the lawmakers and their spouses.
Avid gardener and philanthropist fled Laos and became 'true Minnesotan'
Phouangsouvanh Bouphasavanh loved to help others and appreciate the simple things in life. As a meditative and spiritual man, he took time to notice and enjoy the Minnesota he loved.
Supreme Court upholds South Carolina’s ban on Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood
The Supreme Court allowed South Carolina to remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.
Ryan wins for 7th time in 8 decisions, Clemens hits 9th homer and Twins beat Mariners 2-0
Joe Ryan won for the seventh time in eight decisions, Kody Clemens hit his ninth homer and Willi Castro drove in the go-ahead run as the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 to stop a five-game losing streak.
Celebrating Black Music Month: How Black music shaped every sound we know
Gary Hines, the music director and founder of Sounds of Blackness, joins MPR News host Angela Davis to talk about the history and influence of Black artists across all genres of music.      
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores 2 goals in 3 minutes with family in attendance and Minnesota tops Dynamo
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored two goals in three minutes and Minnesota beat the Houston Dynamo 3-1. Hlongwane opened the scoring in the 60th minute with his back facing the goal on a back-heel redirection.
An Alaska brown bear has a new shiny smile after getting a huge metal crown for a canine tooth
An Alaska brown bear at the Lake Superior Zoo in northeastern Minnesota has a gleaming new silver-colored canine tooth after a first-of-its-kind procedure. The 800-pound bear named Tundra was put under sedation Monday and fitted with a new titanium alloy crown.
In Northwest Division, NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder get deeper, Jazz get busy, Wolves go big
The Minnesota Timberwolves went big with their draft pick Wednesday night with 18-year-old Joan Beringer at No. 17. He's from France, like veteran Rudy Gobert, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
The U.S. Justice Department is suing Minnesota over a state law that gives undocumented college students access to in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. And a bipartisan resolution honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman was passed by the U.S. House Wednesday. It was introduced by Minnesota’s congressional delegation, alongside leaders from both parties.
More rain Thursday before a dry Friday
We’ll have another round of showers and thunder for Thursday that should wrap up by the evening. Friday will be mostly dry with decreasing clouds before a steamy and unsettled weekend.  
‘Equal dignity’: U.S. map shows the impact of Obergefell v. Hodges decision
“They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law,” then-Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the June 26, 2015, ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. “The Constitution grants them that right.”
Wild, safe and sober: An antique mall in Fridley centers the queer community
At Wild Things Antiques in Fridley — a queer-owned, 20,000-square-foot vintage mall and sober community space — monthly events like First Thursday Drag Bingo blend LGBTQ history, Pride-themed decor and inclusive celebration with the owners’ mission to create a welcoming, diverse alternative to the often exclusionary world of antiques.
Elon Musk may be gone but DOGE isn't done remaking the federal government
Even though the billionaire is no longer leading the Department of Government Efficiency effort, many key staffers — and DOGE ideas — are now more permanently embedded in the federal government.
Judge orders Trump administration to resume distributing money for EV chargers
Congress designated money for building new EV chargers, but the Trump administration put a freeze on those funds. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the program to resume.
Senators question Trump plan to kill federal funds for PBS, NPR and some foreign aid
Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee pushed back against the Trump administration's bid to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting and international aid programs.
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