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.

International Falls votes to no longer dress up its famous Smokey Bear statue
The International Falls City Council voted unanimously last week to prohibit dressing the 26-foot-tall Smokey Bear statue that stands tall over the city. For decades locals have dressed the statue in seasonal attire. But moving forward, Smokey will only wear his traditional blue jeans, belt, buckle and hat, with shovel in hand.
In 'Rural by Choice,' Cory Hepola explores the attraction of rural living
Radio host Cory Hepola writes, co-produces and hosts “Rural by Choice,” a docuseries that looks at why people choose to live in rural areas. He joined Minnesota Now to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of rural living.
‘That’s a lot of neck to break’: Giraffe surgery at Como is a tricky task
Giraffes are beautiful, but also incredibly fragile, so how do you knock out a 16-foot-tall, 2,000-pound wild animal for surgery? For vets and zookeepers who had to operate on Como Zoo's male giraffe, Skeeter, on Thursday, the answer is: very, very carefully.
Minneapolis sued over Upper Harbor Terminal project
A group of Minneapolis residents with an environmental justice group filed a lawsuit over the city’s plans to develop the Mississippi River site, north of downtown. The lawsuit alleges that the city failed to properly study the plan’s environmental impact.
Minneapolis Council president files ethics complaint against police chief
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender announced Thursday that she filed an ethics complaint against the city's police chief, Medaria Arradondo, after he held a news conference Wednesday to speak out against the public safety charter amendment.
Jill Riley on the Rolling Stones show and a possible Congressional Gold Medal for Prince
Jill Riley of The Current speaks with Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now and plays some musical selections. Plus, MPR News producer and stand-up comedian Aron Woldeslassie entertains us about lutefisk.
Minneapolis mayor faces voters with policing on their minds
The Democrat faces a tough fight to keep his job in the city's first election since George Floyd's death under the knee of a white police officer in May 2020. Jacob Frey's fate is likely tied to whether voters agree with his moves to change the city's Police Department — and whether they agree with his opposition to a ballot question that would replace it with something new.