MPR News

Two people in a boat look out over the water.

Scientists look for clues to Lake Superior algae blooms

Researchers from Minnesota and Wisconsin are trying to figure out precisely what has caused the recent spike in blue-green algae blooms in Lake Superior. Six algae blooms have been discovered in the past decade between Duluth and the Apostle Islands, including one scientists just confirmed this summer.

COVID-19-vaccines-clinics

COVID-19 in MN: Unvaccinated 'extremely vulnerable' to delta strain

The delta variant “means trouble for people who never got vaccinated,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters. "The problem here is very much a problem of unvaccinated people getting exposed to an extremely contagious and dangerous virus."

A woman looks up.

Biles out of gymnastics team final

Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles is out of the team finals. The 24-year-old U.S. star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.

A schoolboy wears a protective face mask.

Kindergarten enrollment fell last year. Now schools wonder how many kids are coming

It's too soon to say if schools will see a surge, but they do know that kindergartners are entering their first year of school with a wide range of experience.

North Shore waterfalls, streams and rivers during a drought in Minnesota on Thursday.

Derek Montgomery for MPR News

Drought means low flow to iconic North Shore waterfalls, trouble for fish

Rivers and streams around the North Shore have changed a lot during the current drought, and it’s having a negative impact on the fish that live there.

A newspaper clipping with a photo of people with masks.

Teatro Latino remembered as its founder battles cancer

The pioneering theater company Teatro Latino staged its last show in the 1990s but is being remembered for its groundbreaking work as founding member Ana Maria Mendez faces terminal cancer.

A woman holds her Olympic bronze medal.

Lakeville's Smith wins bronze in 100-meter backstroke

Australia’s Kaylee McKeown took gold with a winning time of 57.47, just off the world mark she set this year of 57.45. The silver went to Canadian Kylie Masse in 57.72, while former world record-holder Regan Smith won bronze at 58.05.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks to reporters on July 1 with Democratic members of the House select committee that will investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The panel is holding its first hearing on Tuesday.

Jan. 6 insurrection committee holds its 1st hearing, questioning police

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have sparred over who should be a part of the select committee, which is tasked with investigating the U.S. Capitol riot.

Crisis center opens in southeast Minnesota, offers alternative to ERs

The center is the first of several expected to open statewide, funded with $28 million from the state Legislature.

A cover hides a charging for port for Tom Rayburn's Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Minnesota adopts 'clean car' rules to foster electric shift

Minnesota officially adopted regulations championed by Gov. Tim Walz on Monday to encourage the switchover to electric vehicles.

People at microphones at the Minnesota Capitol

Supporters rally for Rep. Thompson at Capitol

Supporters say the DFL lawmaker has been treated unfairly by political leaders and the press.

A family in the middle of homeschool lessons.

Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across U.S.

Some U.S. parents say they're planning to continue to homeschool their children, even as schools resume in-person classes. The U.S. Census Bureau says the rate of households homeschooling their children rose to 11 percent by September 2020, doubling from 5.4 percent six months earlier.

Travelers at Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport

‘Attention please’: The new voices of MSP airport

The airport decided to take a different approach to its public address system — holding open auditions for employees to become the voices reminding and instructing travelers.

U.S. beach volleyball player Jake Gibb, shown here in 2016, is continuing to compete in the Tokyo Olympics after his partner tested positive for the coronavirus.

How a U.S. Olympic pair keeps going after one tests positive for the coronavirus in Tokyo

When a U.S. beach volleyball player tested positive for the coronavirus, his teammate needed to find another partner before their first Olympic match. It was devastating but they're continuing to fight.

A golfer holds up a trophy

Cameron Champ fends off heat to win 3M Open in Blaine

Cameron Champ fended off dehydration and crisply putted his way to a 5-under 66 on Sunday, winning the 3M Open in Blaine by two strokes for his third career victory.

A helicopter drops water on a wildfire

Low humidity, gusty winds challenge firefighters in northern Minnesota

Officials with northern Minnesota's Superior National Forest say they saw a flare-up of fire activity on Sunday as low humidity and gusty winds — combined with the ongoing drought — created dangerous fire conditions.

Mandy Bujold (L) of Canada exchanges punches with Nina Radovanovic of Serbia during the Women's Fly on Sunday at the Tokyo Olympics.

Olympic and Paralympic moms face big obstacles to compete. They're demanding change

Scores of mothers competing in the Olympics and Paralympics are speaking out about the challenges they face as working mothers in sports. Some are using their platform to make a change.

Son of Gophers hockey coach among two killed in crash

The 20-year-old son of Minnesota hockey coach Bob Motzko was one of two people who died after the vehicle they were riding in went off the road late Saturday in Orono, Minn.

Robert "Bob" Moses, who was an organizer for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) questions about Freedom Summer in 1964, during a national youth summit hosted by the Smithsonian in Jackson, Miss.

Civil rights activist Robert Moses dies at 86

Robert Parris Moses, a civil rights activist who was shot at and endured beatings and jail while leading Black voter registration drives in the American South during the 1960s and later helped improve minority education in math, has died. He was 86.

A wildfire burns a home

Wildfires merge in California, burn more homes

California's largest wildfire merged with a smaller blaze and destroyed homes in remote areas with limited access for firefighters, as numerous other fires gained strength and threatened property across the U.S. West.