Morning Edition

Bob Ross’s first piece from the first episode of the PBS program “The Joy of Painting” 40 years ago is up for sale at the Minneapolis gallery Modern Artifact — for $9.85 million.

“Everybody can say, ‘Well, it's going to be different this time.’ But everything tells us this will be a loser for the Republicans,” the former Minnesota GOP congressman said of a possible federal shutdown Sunday. He spoke with Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer.

As Minnesota moves towards a green economy there will be an increasing demand for people trained to install the acres of solar panels needed to supply clean energy.

A nearly $7 million federal grant is helping address Minnesota’s long standing shortage of school counselors. Those doing the work now in northwestern Minnesota say the needs are greater than ever.

If you’ve tried to fly out for a fall getaway, you might have noticed airline tickets out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport seem pricey. That’s no illusion, Star Tribune consumer reporter Gita Sitaramiah tells MPR News.

Since last week, drought has worsened and spotty rainfall has continued on and off. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with retired meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley about the lack of rain and it’s effects on crops.

Wildflower chasers, Kelly Povo, Phyllis Root and associate producer Lukas Levin took to Goodhue county on a foggy morning and walked through the dew covered tall grass to find the blue downy gentian.

Gender-neutral bathrooms in schools have been the focus of questions and political debate across the country. Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, which made all of its bathrooms gender neutral in 2016, has some answers.

Hearing aids may reduce the risk of developing dementia for older people by nearly 50 percent, adding to a growing body of research on the issue.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told MPR News on Thursday he believes his latest legal memo and a meeting with state and local leaders and law enforcement will resolve the controversy around how officers can restrain students in schools.