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.

Fire burns former Lake Street Kmart building in Minneapolis
Fire crews responded to the call at about 5 a.m. and found flames and thick smoke coming from the vacant Kmart department store at Lake and Nicollet, just west of Interstate 35W. The building was scheduled for demolition next March.
Minnesota unemployment rate unchanged at 3.1 percent in September
Minnesota employers added 8,000 jobs in September while the state’s unemployment rate was unchanged, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Xcel Energy seeks to grow wind energy in southwest Minnesota
The Minneapolis-based utility is asking for proposals for about 1,200 megawatts of new wind projects. That's enough to power more than 485,000 homes in an average year.
Police in Cottage Grove say they executed a search warrant and talked with a person who confessed to dumping the bodies of eight dogs along a road near the Mississippi River last weekend.
MEA weekend: Things to do on staycation in Minnesota
For families not traveling this MEA weekend, there are plenty of activities closer to home in Minnesota that will keep the kids entertained while they’re out of school.
Minneapolis appoints new public safety commissioner
The Minneapolis City Council Thursday voted 12-1 to appoint Hennepin County Chief Judge Toddrick Barnette to lead the city’s public safety efforts. 
Rally for Palestinians draws crowd to Minnesota Capitol
A rally in support of Palestinians drew a large crowd to the Minnesota State Capitol Wednesday night. Demonstrators protested Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and called for an end to both the siege of Gaza and American support for Israel.
Student renters trapped in leases for unfinished apartments may find some relief
The proposal would let renters break their leases if new housing units aren’t finished on time. It comes after dozens of University of Minnesota Twin Cities students were forced to find new accommodations and pay double rent this school year.
As Minnesota schools begin annual October break, just what is 'MEA weekend'?
Most kids in Minnesota are heading into a long weekend as public schools across the state close for “MEA.” It’s a longstanding annual tradition — but for people who didn’t grow up in the state, and maybe for a few people who did, it might be a bit confusing.