Stories from September 11, 2025

Minneapolis City Council ramps up pressure on city to collect off-duty police fees
The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously Thursday in favor of a plan that would set a timeline for the city to collect fees for off-duty police work, a practice where officers work for businesses and bars while off the clock, but in uniform and while using MPD squad cars.
Study predicts collapse of Atlantic Ocean current that warms Europe
MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner talked with John Abraham about warming ocean temperatures and how that could alter currents in the Atlantic Ocean, impacting climate patterns.
U of M pickets continue after arrests
Striking University of Minnesota workers say the school has been heavy-handed in its response to picketers. The U says some picketers are threatening public safety as they block delivery trucks.
Minneapolis officially approves renaming of street for prominent Black woman lawyer
The Minneapolis City Council Thursday voted to rename Edmund Boulevard to Lena Smith Boulevard. Smith was Minnesota's first Black woman lawyer and first woman president of the Minneapolis NAACP.
Wisconsin Republican leader says he doesn't want to 'fortify' the state Capitol
The highest-ranking Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly said Thursday that he doesn't want to “fortify” the state Capitol, which is one of the country's most accessible statehouses, but that lawmakers are looking at ways to bolster safety in other areas such as at officeholders' homes.
Judge says law allowing jail inmates access to prescriptions can continue for now
The law passed with bipartisan support last session as part of the public safety bill. Chief Judge Sara Grewing had paused the law earlier while she considered whether to grant an injunction.
‘Terrifying’: Minnesota artist run over by Cybertruck at Burning Man recovers
Minnesota artist and DJ James “JP” Patrick was severely injured at Burning Man after being run over and dragged by a Cybertruck while meditating, leaving him with crushed feet and months of recovery ahead as his community rallies to support him.
4 lives are upended by an impulsive kiss in the epic novel ‘Buckeye’
Patrick Ryan’s novel focuses on two married couples and stretches from pre-WWII to the close of the 20th century, capturing both the sweep of history and the mundane particularity of everyday life.
New books out today: A Dan Brown thriller, John Prine bio and World Wide Web memoir
New books this week include “Secret of Secrets” — the sixth installment of “The Da Vinci Code” saga, plus a tech memoir from Tim Berners-Lee and a career-spanning anthology from Terry McMillan.
'We cannot let evil win': Minnesota Sen. Julia Coleman on uptick in political violence
State Sen. Julia Coleman, R-Waconia, worked with Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA early in her political career. Coleman says following the killing of Kirk, she worries about the safety of outdoor political events.
Political violence in America after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
In the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, questions about political violence in America are once again front and center. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell and his guests ask: Why is political violence on the rise? And how do we respond?
Politics Friday: Will a special session work without prior deal? House leaders assess possibility
The first joint interview with Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and new DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson covers special session discussions, long-term challenges and their working relationship. Then, a just-published book examines the legacy of Martin Sabo.
Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies
At the World Trade Center site in New York City, the nearly 3,000 victims’ names were being read aloud Thursday. At the Pentagon in Virginia, a memorial service honored the 184 service members and civilians killed. And near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony honored the victims of Flight 93.
Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ of Gaza hostages release with strike on Doha, Qatar PM says
Qatar’s prime minister has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of destroying hopes for hostage releases in Gaza. This follows an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. 
Assassination of Charlie Kirk adds to America’s roll call of public violence
In the tragic roll call of violence in American public life, Charlie Kirk’s name joins the long list. The influential 31-year old conservative commentator was slain Wednesday during an event on a college campus in Utah.
FBI releases photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s killing on a Utah university campus
Investigators obtained clues, including a palm print, a shoe impression and a high-powered hunting rifle found in a wooded area along the path the shooter fled.
Neto and Trout lead Angels to 4-3 win over Twins
Zach Neto hit a two-run homer, Mike Trout drove in two runs and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3. Trout’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning brought home Bryce Teodosio to give the Angels a 4-3 lead.
Following the killing of conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk Wednesday, state Sen. John Hoffman and his family are calling on leaders of both the Democratic and Republican parties to address political violence. In a statement, Hoffman said, “America is broken, and political violence endangers our lives and democracy.”
Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and voice for young conservatives, assassinated at age 31
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was arguably the most influential voice in young conservatism, and played a pivotal role in President Trump’s return to the White House. He died on Wednesday at the age of 31, after being shot while hosting an event in Orem, Utah.
After 10 years of black hole science, Stephen Hawking is proven right
Researchers have spent 10 years improving the massive detectors they use to catch shockwaves from colliding black holes, and now the science is precise enough to test one of Stephen Hawking's key ideas.
Annunciation shooter didn’t trip alarms on ‘red flag laws,’ created to detect at-risk individuals
Shooter Robin Westman was untouched by the law or other legal safeguards like background checks because she didn’t have an adult criminal record and her family didn’t appear to raise concerns with law enforcement.
As nature’s ‘ecosystem engineers,’ beavers could help fight effects of climate change
Beaver dams reduce flooding, create wetlands that boost biodiversity and can even slow wildfires. But bringing back beavers would require a shift in public attitude — and finding ways for humans and beavers to coexist.