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.

Nov. 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: New curbs coming for youth sports, gyms, night life
The moves, expected to be announced Wednesday, come amid a drumbeat of rising COVID-19 caseloads, hospitalizations and deaths. Overall “it’s going to be a difficult four weeks,” Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday.
Police funding front and center at Minneapolis budget hearing 
During a nearly five-hour long public hearing, Minneapolis City Council members heard passionate testimony from residents to either support or defund the police department.
What are the challenges of rebuilding Lake Street?
More than half of the Lake Street businesses that were damaged during May’s civil unrest have been reopened, but a lot of work remains. What are the challenges confronted by business owners trying to rebuild? Host Angela Davis hears stories of both rebuilding success and frustrating roadblocks.
Nov. 16 update on COVID-19 in MN: New warnings about Thanksgiving as hospitalizations climb
Gov. Tim Walz and state officials are now urging people not to gather for Thanksgiving outside their immediate household and asking college students to consider not going home for the holiday. The winter high school sports season may also be in jeopardy.
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Gazelka tests positive for COVID-19
The Republican majority leader of the Minnesota Senate has tested positive for COVID-19, and is facing calls from the DFL minority to resign his leadership post over his handling of a COVID outbreak affecting the GOP caucus.
12-year-old discovers invasive clams in Minnesota lake
William Guthrie was volunteering with his family to comb lakes for aquatic invaders when he discovered a golden clam — an invasive species not previously found in Minnesota lakes.
Nov. 15 update on COVID-19 in MN: Surge continues with 31 deaths, 7,559 new cases
Minnesota’s COVID-19 outbreak continues to rage unabated, with 7,559 new COVID-19 cases reported Sunday along with 31 additional deaths. The deaths cap Minnesota’s deadliest week on record during this pandemic, with 249 deaths from the disease over the past seven days.
Minnesota GOP senators had COVID, but GOP caucus didn’t tell DFLers
Senate DFL leader Susan Kent called the lack of notification "outrageous and completely unacceptable." Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka fired back, saying no one was put at risk.
Nov. 14 update on COVID-19 in MN: Record 8,703 new cases; 35 more deaths
Minnesota reported a record daily increase of 8,703 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, along with 35 more deaths in what’s been the state’s deadliest week of the pandemic. The spiking case count is a signal that hospitalizations and deaths will continue to climb.
Wolves preying on beavers in Minnesota reshape wetlands
When a lone beaver dies, its dam soon collapses. Scientists studying gray wolves in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park have traced how wolves preying on beavers affect the ecosystem by impeding the ability of beavers to build and maintain new dams that create wetlands.