Minnesota News

MPR News is your go-to source for Minnesota news and stories.

From local stories from your Minnesota neighbors to breaking news updates across the state, we have you covered.

Competitive swimmers break the ice to create inaugural swim meet at Lake Johanna
In just a few short months, organizers of an ice swimming competition pulled together an event that brought together a hundred swimmers from all over the world. They competed on Saturday in the inaugural ice swimming race on a Minnesota lake, where the water was just 36 degrees.
This Black northern Minnesota inventor changed the world. Many Minnesotans don’t know him
Frederick McKinley Jones invented refrigerated shipping, allowing trucks and trains to move food worldwide. The self-taught engineer who lived in Hallock held dozens of patents that transformed America, yet Minnesotans might be hard-pressed to recognize his name.
Beekeepers say catastrophic honeybee losses are cause for alarm
Commercial beekeepers across the country are reporting sudden deaths of honey bee colonies. One industry official called the losses unprecedented.
Border patrol agent from Minnesota buried with full military honors at Fort Snelling
David Christopher “Chris” Maland, 44, was killed on Jan. 20 while working in Vermont. He pulled over a car, believing one of the two passengers had an expired visa. One of the passengers opened fire; the other allegedly also drew a gun, according to an FBI affidavit. 
Ice Palace in Delano announces permanent closure
The family-run business announced in a statement that its final day will be March 2. The family cited warm weather during last year’s season as one of the reasons for the closure.
Experts foresee negative ripple effects in termination of USDA scientists in St. Paul lab
A team at the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Cereal Disease Lab in St. Paul got notice last week that some of their jobs were getting cut. Experts warn that cutting jobs in this area will harm research and potentially affect the prices of wheat, barley and oats.
‘It’s completely draining’: Rising food prices causing continued stress in Minnesota, nationwide
Food prices continue to rise in Minnesota and nationwide — though at a slower rate than dramatic spikes during the pandemic. The high price of eggs is top of mind right now for many grocery shoppers.