MPR News

Photo of an emergency polio fund drive

'No shot, no date': Could teenagers make vaccinations cool again?

Teenagers are now a crucial part of public health officials’ efforts to get more people vaccinated now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children 12 and older. This isn’t the first time that teenagers have played an important role in a vaccination campaign. More than 50 years ago, they helped popularize the polio vaccine.

Gov. Tim Walz put back on his face mask

The state is lifting its COVID-19 mask mandate. Here's what that means for you

Friday morning, Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order that undoes the state's mask mandate. The announcement comes after the CDC said that people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks outside or inside in most cases. Here’s what you need to know about the latest developments.

A woman waits for her vaccine.

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Pandemic trends solid; vaccinations languish

While the pandemic picture has improved and the state has dropped its mask-wearing order, Minnesota’s vaccination pace remains at a relative crawl.

A group of four stand next to a sign

New world record set on Mississippi River, but for how long?

A crew of paddlers took a canoe from the headwaters of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico faster than anyone in history — breaking a 20-year world record. But a second crew is hot on their heels.

A bowl of medicinal marijuana

MN House passes legal cannabis bill; no future in Senate

For the first time in its history, the Minnesota House has voted to legalize marijuana beyond the current medical uses allowed in the state. But firm opposition in the Senate will likely prevent it from becoming law this year.

A demonstrator holds a sign that reads "Cancel Rent!"

More COVID-19 relief coming for Minnesota’s renters

Renters who owe landlords because of COVID-19 may finally see some relief coming their way, as hundreds of millions in federal aid becomes available.

Hmong Freedom Celebration

10 things about Hmong culture, food and language you probably didn't know

May 14 is Minnesota’s Hmong American Day, designated in 2013 by then-Gov. Mark Dayton to honor contributions of the Hmong people to the state and the U.S., and celebrates their history. Today, Minnesota boasts the second-largest Hmong population in the nation.

Screenshot from body camera.

Trial for 3 officers tied to Floyd killing pushed back to March

The officers’ trial was expected in August, but Judge Peter Cahill pushed the trial back to March 2022 given the recently announced federal charges against the men. He said the defense teams also deserve space from publicity.

two people in front of a tree and tire swing

Twin Cities girls of color need a place to thrive. Here come the Radical Monarchs

The Radical Monarchs — a Girl Scouts alternative focused on social justice — will launch a troop this summer in the Twin Cities. Its mission: help girls and girl-identified youth of color ages 8 to 11 navigate their experiences and conversations about race, gender and class.

U Regent, Hmong community leader Kao Ly Ilean Her dies at 52

Kao Ly Ilean Her, leader and advocate in Minnesota’s Hmong community and the first Hmong person to serve on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, has died. She was 52.

Children gather in front of a table and receive candy.

Vaccines bring back joy to Eid celebrations

COVID-19 vaccinations have made it possible for Minnesota families and friends to gather once again to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in the town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, on Friday.

'This is not yet over,' Netanyahu says, after Israel hits urban areas of Gaza

Some of the most intense attacks hit the Gaza Strip Thursday night. But the clashes also brought large protests in the occupied West Bank — where at least 10 people reportedly died.

Customers wait in line to fill up their tanks this week at a Costco gas station in Nashville, Tenn. It will take several days for the supply chain of fuel to return to normal even after Colonial Pipeline said it had brought its entire pipeline system back into operation.

Fuel shortages should ease over coming days as Colonial fully restarts pipelines

The supply chain for fuels like gasoline will take several days to return to normal after Colonial restarted a critical pipeline that was shut down this month.

A video screenshot of a man in an orange jumpsuit and an officer.

KARE 11 investigates: Jail nurse says 'I felt like I had witnessed a murder'

A key witness in an FBI investigation of a Beltrami County jail death goes public for the first time, telling KARE 11 Investigates that Hardel Sherrell should still be alive.

Two more indicted in kidnapping, death of real estate agent

Two more people have been indicted by a grand jury in Hennepin County in the kidnapping and slaying of a real estate agent in 2019.

A view of the Cedar Riverside Community School facade.

Cedar Riverside Community School to close June 30

On Thursday, Pillsbury United Communities announced its final decision to shutter Cedar Riverside Community School. Termination letter cites “cultural deficiencies” and “long term dysfunction” in school governance.

Gaylord High School principal Chris Hodges measures the space between seats in a yearbook class. A student in the class tested positive for covid, and Hodges is working with the local health department to trace people who might have been exposed to her at school.

A principal and his tape measure: Schools are helping do COVID-19 contact tracing

Struggling to keep up with a COVID-19 surge in Michigan, overwhelmed local health departments turned to schools, and recruited principals and teachers as supplemental contact tracers.

Elise Stefanik

House GOP elects Trump defender Elise Stefanik to No. 3 post

Republicans have vaulted Rep. Elise Stefanik into the ranks of House leadership. The upstate New York Republican was elected to the party's No. 3 post on Friday. She's an ardent defender of former President Donald Trump.

Ex-Army Green Beret to be sentenced for Russian espionage

A former Army Green Beret who admitted divulging military secrets to Russia over a 15-year period, which started as an ROTC student at the University of Minnesota, is scheduled to be sentenced on espionage charges.

Tia Cunningham participated in one of "guaranteed income" programs in Jackson, Mississippi, and she was able to get out subsidized housing and use the money as down payment to buy a new house.

More cities are handing people cash with no strings attached: Here's why

Nearly two dozen American cities have signed on to pilot programs that offer basic incomes to low income residents.