Stories from July 8, 2025

Minnesota sends delegation of students to Braille Challenge for first time
In February, Minnesota held its first regional Braille Challenge where students competed in various literacy tests. It led to four student finalists who went to an international competition in Los Angeles in late June.
UCare cuts will leave thousands of Minnesotans without health insurance this fall
The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Christopher Snowbeck has been following what this means for patients and families and joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition with the latest.
Minnesota school districts are facing a new financial hit after learning the Trump administration will withhold tens of millions in education funding. About three hundred nurses and other medical staff went on strike today in the Duluth area. They work at six Essentia Health facilities and are negotiating their first union contracts.
The Aging Mind
On Minnesota Now this week, we’re airing Call to Mind, the MPR News initiative fostering new conversations about mental health. Studies show that 1 in 4 older adults live with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorders.
Latest 'Tiger King' twist finds 'Doc' Antle facing possible prison sentence for animal trafficking
Bhagavan “Doc” Antle from the Netflix series "Tiger King" could be sent to prison as he is sentenced in a federal courtroom in South Carolina. Antle pleaded guilty in November 2023 to charges of exotic animal trafficking and money laundering.
Minneapolis City Council pulls back on consent decree proposal, vows to keep trying
The Minneapolis City Council Tuesday pulled back a directive that would have called on City Attorney Kristyn Anderson’s office to take all necessary actions to fold unique provisions in the federal consent decree into a similar, existing settlement agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. However, council members vowed to keep trying to make the police reforms contained in the federal pact legally binding.
Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark set to reveal teams they drafted for WNBA All-Star Game
Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark each have their draft strategy for the WNBA All-Star Game. The two captains chose their teams for the game that will be played on July 19 at Clark’s home arena in Indianapolis. The squads will be revealed Tuesday night.
Wisconsin Supreme Court clears the way for a conversion therapy ban to be enacted
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has cleared the way for the state to institute a ban on conversion therapy. The court ruled Tuesday that a Republican-controlled legislative committee’s rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional.
The health of U.S. kids has declined significantly since 2007, a new study finds
A new study in the journal JAMA finds the health of America’s children has worsened across several key indicators over the last two decades. That includes the number of children with chronic diseases.
100 years after evolution went on trial, the Scopes case still reverberates
One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tenn., became the unlikely stage for one of the most sensational trials in American history, over the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution.
BRICS nations push back as Trump warns of tariffs
Leaders of the BRICS group of emerging economies meeting for their annual summit had hoped to downplay any differences with the U.S. But even a toned down group proclamation drew the ire of President Trump.
Byron Buxton is an All-Star again. His most important superpower for the Twins is availability.
Byron Buxton has had an All-Star season for the Minnesota Twins highlighted by his consistent presence in the lineup. He has started 73 games in his healthiest season in years.
RFK Jr.’s vaccine policy sparks a lawsuit from the American Academy of Pediatrics
AAP and other leading health organizations allege that the health secretary violated federal law when he took the COVID vaccine off the list of recommended shots for pregnant women and healthy children.
State Sen. John Hoffman discharged from hospital, still faces ‘long road to recovery’ after shooting
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman has been discharged from a hospital and moved to a rehabilitation facility as he continues his recovery from being shot and critically wounded in an attack at his home last month.
Up to 250,000 Minnesotans could lose coverage under federal Medicaid cuts
1 in 5 Minnesotans could lose health coverage under federal Medicaid cuts. Aside from direct impacts to Medical Assistance recipients, local providers warn the cuts mean health care costs could go up for others in the state.
Tag, bait, scoop: Researchers explore new ways to rid Minnesota lakes of pesky common carp
The four-year project is aimed at developing tools and technology to remove large numbers of the invasive fish, and gauge whether it can restore habitat and help native species bounce back.
Minnesota’s HIV service organizations juggle cuts and brace for more
HIV assistance and testing organizations across the state are working on tighter budgets this year, with more federal cuts possible. Advocates say they’re worried about setting back progress towards ending HIV.
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