Minnesota News

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

Auto racing: Allouez Bay racing event postponed to Feb. 18
NASCAR on Ice, an ice racing event featuring NASCAR drivers and retired cars, was postponed a second time on Wednesday due to ice conditions.
Beargrease sled race winner, runner-up talk dogs, cold, competition
Keith Aili crossed the finish line about eight minutes ahead of second-place musher and past champion Ryan Anderson. They spoke to MPR News host Cathy Wurzer Wednesday about dealing with 20-below race temps and coaching dogs that aren’t all that keen on people.
Avivo Village shines as solution for unsheltered homelessness in Minneapolis
In 2020, the nonprofit Avivo went tent to tent at the massive encampment in Powderhorn Park to learn what it would take for residents to come indoors. From that came Avivo Village, an indoor community of 100 small units in the North Loop designed specifically for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Is providing a portable toilet an endorsement of a homeless encampment?
Minneapolis has stopped fulfilling requests for portable toilets at encampments on city property. Some city council members say they think it’s a way for the city to skirt responsibility for its encampments.
Minneapolis City Council too gridlocked to change homeless encampment approach
Long a liberal city, one might think agreement would be easier in Minneapolis than other cities. But efforts to change city code that affects homelessness or to pause encampment closures have failed due to political gridlock and confusion.
Winter Play: Ice climbing on the North Shore
As part of MPR News’ Winter Play series, reporter Dan Kraker tried ice climbing for the first time on a cliff north of Two Harbors, an experience he found challenging, rewarding and — when it was over, at least — fun.
Minneapolis made little progress on homeless encampments in 2022. Why?
Eager to improve the city’s response to encampments, new Minneapolis City Council members have been gridlocked, in part due to Mayor Jacob Frey’s recent expansion of power. Instead of creating a formal policy, the city is sending more police officers and establishing perimeters while closing camps.
MN bill aims to create legal refuge for trans youth seeking gender-affirming care
Minnesota legislators began reviewing a bill that protects access to health care for trans youth, a move that the author says is a historic first. At the Tuesday hearing, several parents of trans youth spoke in support of the bill.
'It Hurts' so good: Bad Bad Hats release 10th anniversary edition of first EP
A Twin Cities favorite: Bad Bad Hats are not shy to embrace the nostalgia of their early recordings. So much so that the “It Hurts (10th Anniversary Edition)” EP includes demo tracks laced with kazoos, happy-go-lucky whistling, never-heard-before verses and ultra-scratchy guitar tracks.
Winter Play: Dog sledding in southern Minnesota
As part of MPR News’ Winter Play series, reporter Catharine Richert spent the afternoon dog sledding near Cannon Falls. Her best advice? Don’t let go of the sled.