Stories from July 7, 2025

St. Paul resident says outdated zoning rules are holding cities back
Luke Hanson is a St. Paul resident who dug into his city’s zoning history after noticing what he saw as a lack of small neighborhood businesses in some areas. It led him to write a three-part series outlining why it may be time for St. Paul and other places with similar laws to change course.
The cost of health insurance is soaring for Minnesota school districts and teachers. And the massive budget bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump over the holiday weekend makes some tax cuts permanent, and cuts spending on Medicaid.
Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100
Crews trudged through debris and waded into swollen rivers in the search for victims of catastrophic flooding that has killed close to 90 people in Texas, including more than two dozen campers and counselors from an all-girls Christian camp.
National Guard troops protect immigration officers in large-scale LA operation
About 90 members of the California National Guard and over a dozen military vehicles like Humvees are helping protect immigration officers Monday as they carry out a raid in a Los Angeles park. That’s according to two defense officials.
Beyond the Mirror: The Challenge of Eating Disorders
On Minnesota Now this week, we’re airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health. An estimated 29 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. These mental illnesses can be profoundly disruptive to a person’s life and psychological wellbeing.
Yemen's Houthi rebels say bulk carrier Magic Seas that they attacked Sunday has sunk
Yemen’s Houthi rebels say a ship they attacked on Sunday with bomb-carrying drone boats and missiles has sunk into the Red Sea. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned Magic Seas sank on Monday.
Severe weather threat looms for Monday
Another classic summer day with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures; however, severe weather is possible across the state, with storms capable of producing damaging winds and hail.
American kids have become increasingly unhealthy over nearly two decades, new study finds
A new study shows that the health of U.S. children has deteriorated over the past 17 years, with kids today more likely to experience obesity, chronic diseases and other problems.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet President Trump Monday
President Donald Trump says he is hopeful to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal this week. In his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump could outline a plan for Gaza after 21 months of war between Israel and Hamas.
An Australian woman is found guilty of murdering her in-laws by toxic mushrooms
Erin Patterson hosted four of her estranged husband's relatives for lunch in July 2023. Three of them later died of death cap mushroom poisoning. Nearly two years later, a jury has found her guilty.
Williams scores 25 as Lynx earn 11th straight home win, beating Sky 80-75
Courtney Williams tied her season high with 25 points, Napheesa Collier scored 21 and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Chicago Sky 80-75. Minnesota set a franchise record with 11 consecutive home wins to start a season.
The National Weather Service has confirmed the severe storm that struck Beltrami County in late June was a so-called microburst. St. Louis County on Monday opens a temporary collection site for debris from properties affected by wildfires earlier this year.
What to know about the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 80 people
Flash floods in Texas have killed at more than 80 people, many of them children. Heavy rains fell quickly in the predawn hours Friday in the Texas Hill Country, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
‘The worst day of my life’: Texas’ Hill Country reels as deaths rise due to floods
Dozens of people have died in the Texas Hill Country. Scores of others are missing or unaccounted for. As rescue crews continue to search for victims, those who survived are coping with the loss.
‘Sticker shock’: Inflation, Ozempic drive health care costs higher for Minnesota schools
School districts across Minnesota are struggling to contain double-digit health insurance cost increases. Some officials say inflation and accelerating prescription costs, especially for new weight loss drugs, are to blame. 
‘Someone’s got to help’: Minnesota volunteers give injured, orphaned animals a chance
Trained wildlife rehabbers work to save injured and orphaned wildlife. Most get no pay. They scrape by on grants and help from local volunteers, doing the work for the joy of giving animals a chance to return to the wild. 
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