Morning Edition

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Morning Edition, with Cathy Wurzer in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, brings you all the news from overnight and the information you need to start your day. Listen from 4 to 9 a.m. every weekday.

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The current class of state lawmakers is the most diverse in Minnesota history, and it looks possible that November's elections will only further that trend. University of Minnesota political science professor Michael Minta joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what this could mean for state politics.
Art Hounds celebrates new work by artists of all ages
Theater and visual works focus on the pandemic, artists of color and Black Lives Matter, from a stream by the Illusion Theater to a St. Paul artist’s portfolio available on Facebook. And the student-led StoryArk Festival takes place Sunday.
COVID-19 and college: Professors say they worry about students and their families
Universities and colleges have different plans for returning to teaching this fall, and there are specific needs for many classroom settings. As faculty and instructors prepare to teach, they worry about their students and their families.
Republican-controlled Senate fires Walz commissioner
Minnesota Senate Republicans took aim at DFL Gov. Tim Walz during the third special session of the summer by voting to fire Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nancy Leppink.
Primary results: Omar defeats challenger Melton-Meaux in 5th District
Rep. Ilhan Omar beat back a primary challenger from 5th District DFL rival Antone Melton-Meaux in Tuesday’s election. Republican Michelle Fischbach won the GOP nomination in the 7th District, while the U.S. Senate race will see DFL Sen. Tina Smith against Republican ex-Rep. Jason Lewis.
It's primary day: Polls open across Minnesota
Voters are heading to the polls amid a pandemic that has made this election season unlike any other. The coronavirus outbreak has also helped fuel a surge in absentee and early voting, which means the results of some races may not be immediately known. Officials must count mail-in ballots that trickle in later under safety rules imposed due to the pandemic.
Bemidji residents answer chief's question of police oversight with a 'yes'
In the months since George Floyd’s death, communities across the state have been grappling with the question of police reform — whether and how and to what degree. Bemidji, in northern Minnesota, began its own conversation at a special City Council listening session Monday night — prompted by a request from the city’s police chief.
'Nothing will ever replace the feeling of sitting in that arena': COVID-19 puts powwow season on pause — and online
Many people across the state spend months preparing for powwow season, which is traditionally happening right about now. As states and tribal nations continue their fight against the spread of the coronavirus, however, many powwows this year have been canceled, leaving people pining for the community, the family and the celebration of Native culture that powwows bring.
Voters get their chance to weigh in Tuesday in Minnesota's primary
An election and another special session are on tap for this week. Tuesday’s primary is Minnesota’s first statewide election during the pandemic. And the Legislature is due back midweek for what should be a quick special session, prompted by the coronavirus.
St. Cloud policing outpost aims to reduce crime by serving neighborhood
The Police Department opened a community service hub in a struggling neighborhood in an effort to reduce crime and offer services that would help improve residents' quality of life. Supporters say it has helped improve relations between police and residents, and should be a model for other cities considering reforms in the weeks since George Floyd’s death.