Minnesota Politics: Minnesota's political scene is intensifying as Kamala Harris leads Trump slightly in the presidential race, while Amy Klobuchar holds a strong lead in her Senate bid. Voter sentiment reflects significant divisions and concerns, especially among older citizens regarding key issues such as Medicare and Social Security.
Minnesota's political landscape is currently heated as a recent poll reveals a tight presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, with Harris slightly ahead but within the margin of error. Many voters, like Lakeland resident Don McCormick, express distrust towards Harris, citing concerns over Medicare and Social Security, which resonate strongly with older citizens. Meanwhile, Senator Amy Klobuchar is leading her Republican challenger Royce White by a significant margin in the Senate race. On the state legislative front, retiring Democrat Jean Pulowski advocates for a divided government to promote moderation. In response, House Speaker Melissa Hortman criticizes the current Republican Party's stance, attributing progress blockages to extreme elements within the party. With over 90% of voters having made their decisions, Minnesota is gearing up for heated debates in the upcoming elections, reflecting broader national tensions.
Community Updates: St. Cloud votes on a new fire station funding, while Minneapolis faces crime issues and I-94 construction starts. In sports, the Lynx and Vikings secure wins, but the Twins struggle in their playoff race.
In St. Cloud, residents are voting on a $43.5 million plan to build a new fire station aimed at improving emergency response times, especially in the growing Southwest area. If approved, homeowners will pay about $9 a month for 20 years. Meanwhile, downtown Minneapolis saw a tragic shooting, leading to two deaths and injuries to three others. On the transportation front, lane closures are happening on I-94 in Albertville for a two-year expansion project. In sports news, the Lynx won their playoff game against the Mercury, while the Vikings defeated the Texans, marking a strong season start. However, the Twins faced setbacks, losing both games in a double-header against Boston, putting them at a disadvantage in the wildcard race with only six games left in the season. Community issues, public safety, infrastructure development, and sports highlight the current news cycle in the region.
Minnesota Weather Update: Minnesota will have mostly sunny weather today with temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s. Tonight, expect clouds and a slight chance of rain with lows in the low 40s to low 50s. Tuesday will continue the sunny trend with similar temperatures.
Today in Minnesota, the weather looks pretty nice with mostly sunny skies. Temperatures are expected to be pleasant, ranging from the mid 60s to low 70s during the day. However, tonight will bring a change, as it will be cloudy with a slight chance of rain, and temperatures will drop to the low 40s to low 50s. Looking ahead to Tuesday, the good weather should return with mostly sunny conditions and temperatures not far from today’s highs. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities while the sun is out, but keep in mind that a light jacket might be needed later in the evening as it cools down. Overall, it’s shaping up to be a lovely start to the week.
Presidential race is tight, Klobuchar has comfortable lead over White in new Minnesota poll
Minnesota Today
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Vice presidential debate; Federal child nutrition program guilty plea
Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance are in New York preparing for their first — and likely only — debate tonight.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that another person charged with allegedly stealing money from federal child nutrition programs has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
VP debate featuring Vance and Walz tonight
The much-anticipated vice presidential debate is Tuesday night in New York. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee, faces off against his GOP counterpart, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. You can listen to the debate live on MPR News.
Prosecutors have filed more charges against a man suspected in a daylong shooting spree near Minneapolis homeless encampments. And Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont has announced it will end surgical procedures, and inpatient obstetric care including labor and delivery, at the end of March.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Walz, Vance face pivotal moment as they meet for vice presidential debate
Mayo Clinic Health System to end surgical, labor and delivery units in Fairmont
As debate rages over coverage, rural Minnesotans face challenges getting fertility care
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Walz, Vance prep for VP debate. Children who died at 1800s boarding school return to White Earth Nation
Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance meet Tuesday night in a high-stakes debate in New York. It's the biggest stage yet for the running mates of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The White Earth Nation welcomed two boys home on Sunday more than a century after their deaths at a boarding school in central Minnesota.
And the Minnesota Lynx lost Sunday night 73-70 to the Connecticut Sun in the first game of the WNBA semifinals.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Tim Walz’s experience in China could help him as veep, but he barely mentions it as a candidate
Children who died at a boarding school in the 1800s return to the White Earth Nation
Connecticut Sun win 73-70 over Minnesota Lynx in first semi-finals game
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Lowertown shooting update; Alleged abuse on school bus in Minneapolis
Saint Paul police say its officers were involved in a fatal shooting this morning in Belle Plaine, southwest of the Twin Cities.
And a parent alleging abuse against her child on a Minneapolis public school bus says she has been granted a restraining order against a district employee.
Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Police: Fatal St. Paul shooting was an act of random violence. Anonymous donor saves Minneapolis shelter
St. Paul Police say a woman who was shot and killed in an alley Wednesday evening in the Lowertown neighborhood was the victim of random violence. The suspected shooter died Thursday in a confrontation with officers.
And an anonymous donor has agreed to match a $1.5 million grant to save Agate Housing and Services in downtown Minneapolis, which was set to close Oct. 9.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Police fatally shoot suspect in ‘cold-blooded’ killing of artist in St. Paul’s Lowertown
Anonymous donor matches city grant to save Minneapolis shelter from closure
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Lynx beat Mercury to move forward in WNBA playoffs. PUC taking up clean energy law
The Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 101-88 Wednesday night, finishing a two-game sweep in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. Olympian and all-star Napheesa Collier scored 42 game-high points, tying a league playoff record.
And the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission takes up the state's 100-percent clean energy law at a hearing Thursday afternoon in St Paul.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Napheesa Collier scores 42 to tie a WNBA playoff record for points, and the Lynx swept the Mercury
What's carbon-free? Utility regulators to decide what qualifies under state's clean energy law
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Still feels like summer; Minnesota House campaign spending
A stretch of unseasonably warm, unusually dry weather will continue across Minnesota through the rest of the week.
And considerable spending has already gone into the select races that will determine which party leads the Minnesota House next year.
Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
Poll shows high trust in accurate vote count, low participation in now-legalized cannabis
Nearly eight in 10 Minnesotans have moderate to high confidence of an accurate vote count in the November election. That's according to a new Minnesota Poll. Meanwhile, the same poll respondents don't seem to be using recently-legalized cannabis in large numbers. When asked, 85 percent reported not using cannabis within the last month.
And police say a man opened fire on a state trooper along Interstate 94 after crashing his girlfriend's car while she was driving. Eddie Freeman is charged with six counts of assault — including against a police officer.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Minnesota Poll: Broad confidence of accurate vote count, but deep split over absentee voting
Charges: Man shot at state trooper after I-94 crash
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Human H3N2v flu cases at the State Fair; Lino Lakes City Council censure
The Minnesota Department of Health reported two human infections of H3N2v, a variant strain of influenza A, after exposure to pigs at the State Fair.
And the Lino Lakes city council voted last night to censure one of its members after he sent an email indicating support of an Islamophobic message.
Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.
New poll shows opinions on Walz and Vance in Minnesota
A new poll shows Minnesota voters have qualms about both vice presidential hopefuls Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Republican Sen. JD Vance. Minnesota Republican Rep. Tom Emmer is helping Vance prepare for next week's VP debate.
And Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says she's ready to dismiss murder charges against a man convicted of a 2008 shooting.
This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.
Minnesota Poll: Harris up on Trump but not by much as Democratic enthusiasm spikes
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