Stories from September 3, 2025

Student arrested after bringing gun to St. Paul school Tuesday
School leaders discovered a student had brought a gun to Johnson Senior High School in the morning. Officials say the incident shows district safety procedures worked as designed to protect students. 
Appetites: Plant-forward cooking traditions from Central America
You’ve heard about plant-based cooking, but what about plant-forward cooking? Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard recently returned from travels in the Mayan Highlands and Guatemalan Lowlands. She shared some plant-forward inspiration on this week’s Appetites.
Rep. Novotny: Possible special session should focus on school security, mental health
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he plans to call a special legislative session to consider tougher gun laws after last week’s shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. For another perspective, MPR News host Emily Bright spoke with state Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River.
2 kids hurt in Annunciation shooting still hospitalized as others head home
Two children remained hospitalized as of Wednesday morning, with at least one still in critical condition. Another underwent surgery Wednesday for a bullet fragment in his neck. Over a dozen others have been discharged from Minneapolis hospitals after good progress towards recovery. 
Vice President JD Vance came to Minnesota today to meet with some families affected by last week's shooting at Annunciation Church and School. The U.S. Coast Guard says it responded yesterday to a spill of up to 30 gallons of oil in the Duluth harbor. A city council meeting last night in Harwood, North Dakota, near Fargo, got heated over a proposed AI Data Center.
Out to Lunch: Mankato East High School principal works to center student voices
Akram Osman was a graduate of Mankato East High School, the school he now leads. He credits his own principal at the time for valuing his voice as a student and pushing him to pursue a path in education.
Minnesota law professor on the debate over assault weapon bans
A group of Twin Cities-area mayors gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to call for more authority to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines if the Legislature refuses to do it at the state level. But gun rights advocates argue these bans go too far.
Political, church leaders consider next steps one week after Annunciation mass shooting
Republican Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance meet with families of victims. Democrats in state and local office are calling for new gun laws. Plus, Archbishop Bernard Hebda shares the process for reconsecrating the church.
Twin Cities Archbishop on Annunciation community healing, reconsecrating the church
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is helping school and parish leaders as they navigate returning to classes and when the church itself — which is a crime scene — can reopen.
Trump confirms U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat
President Trump says the U.S. military has struck a drug-laden vessel in the southern Caribbean after it left Venezuela. The strike comes a week after Washington deployed warships to the region.
Russia launches over 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine as Zelenskyy seeks more support
Russia has launched over 500 drones and two dozen missiles at Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure, especially energy facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the attacks mainly hit western and central Ukraine, injuring at least five people.
Dyslexia: Understanding what it is and how to find support
Imagine being bright and curious but every word on a page feels like a wall. That’s life with dyslexia. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert and her guests discuss how to recognize dyslexia and get support. 
Parents of kid hurt in Annunciation shooting ask VP JD Vance to address gun violence
Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis on Wednesday, one week after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church that killed two kids and injured 21 other people. The parents of Lydia Kaiser, who is still hospitalized, asked him to address mass shootings.
Vice President JD Vance plans to visit Minneapolis Wednesday. The plans were announced in a statement released by the White House Tuesday night. The Vice President will pay respects to victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting. He's expected to hold a series of private meetings with families affected by the shooting.
Benintendi’s two-HR, four-hit day propels White Sox past Twins
Andrew Benintendi went 4 for 5 with two homers and five RBIs as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 12-3. Kyle Teel and Lenyn Sosa also homered and Brooks Baldwin had three hits for the White Sox, who have won three in a row. 
Bird, Fowles and Moore: The most dominant Hall of Fame class in women’s basketball history?
The trio of Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore will be the most dominant class of women’s basketball players to ever enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when they are enshrined this weekend.
So um, why do we say 'um' so much?
Who knew two letters could spark so much conversation? This week, we're breaking down the many uses of "um" and why the word is so controversial.
New gun restrictions face tough climb, but Minnesota lawmakers could find common ground elsewhere
Gov. Tim Walz has said he’s weighing bringing lawmakers back for a special legislative session to take up bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines following the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School last week.
Minnesota’s public school districts face more student need with fewer resources
Many students in Minnesota are heading back to school this week. Some are entering new buildings and getting new school supplies with with help of donations. And some public school districts report increased enrollment.