Minnesota Today®

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Minnesota Today
MPR News

Minnesota Today from MPR News brings you the most important stories from around the state. All on your schedule. Get updated on the latest news in about five minutes, every weekday morning and evening.

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Businesses impacted by the wildfires burning in the Boundary Waters are asking for state aid after Gov. Tim Walz suggested this week that a special session to provide wildfire relief is unlikely. And the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update for Minnesota is showing a SLIGHT improvement in long-standing drought conditions across the state.
Food shelves are now able to accept donated eggs past their "sell-by" date from retailers, thanks to a new law that went into effect on Aug. 1. Meanwhile, at FarmFest, farmers are learning about new tech and how to navigate a challenging economy.
A debate featuring four candidates for Minnesota governor showcased differences in style and substance today. The Farmfest stage was filled by likely Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar and three Republicans vying for that nod: Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls. Governor Tim Walz says there is no need to extend a peacetime emergency declaration for the wildfires that have burned through parts of the Boundary Waters.
Several neighbors and advocates say the city should delay the encampment clearing. Between a 120 to 250 people live at Pig's Eye Park. Meanwhile, Republican Mike Lindell says he's stepping down from his CEO role at MyPillow to focus on his run for Minnesota governor.
Forest Service officials say recent rains aided firefighters who are making progress in containing wildfires in northeast Minnesota. And aging infrastructure and outdated I-T systems may have contributed to recent cyberattacks on Minnesota water systems.
Homeless outreach workers are continuing to visit an encampment in St. Paul Tuesday in hopes of transitioning residents there into shelters. The city plans to clear the encampment in Pig's Eye Park Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, Minnesota water systems have blocked multiple hacking attempts since a cyberattack last week. That attack temporarily took some local water systems offline and prompted officials to review their cybersecurity measures.
Fires still burning in parts of the Boundary Waters have charred nearly 65,000 acres. And federal officials say Minnesota was one of at least seven states that reported cyberattacks on city water systems last week.
The man serving life in federal prison for killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark is due in Hennepin County court Monday afternoon to make his first appearance on state charges. Meanwhile, small business owners in northeastern Minnesota told their state legislators that the wildfires are having a “disastrous” impact on their bottom lines.
The U.S. Forest Service says wildfires have burned nearly 73,000 acres in the U.S. and Canada. The agency says about 1,000 personnel are working on the fires, which are about 60 percent contained. Officials say crews are monitoring the Chub Fire southwest of Crane Lake and the Camp Fire northeast of Ely. They’re also watching for new fires that may have started from recent lightning strikes.
Several new Minnesota laws about domestic violence are taking effect soon. Meanwhile, Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti ended this week, leaving hundreds of thousands of Haitians across the country facing uncertainty — including some in Minnesota.