Stories from May 19, 2025

Chief O’Hara names two civilians to top MPD leadership posts
Chief Brian O’Hara chose Ganesha Martin, who held senior roles at the Baltimore Police Department, to head up the Constitutional Policing Bureau and attorney Ayodele Famodu to lead the Internal Affairs Bureau.
Minnesota’s largest bail fund became famous in 2020. Now it’s changing direction
The Minnesota Freedom Fund is a bail fund, focused on paying the bail of people jailed ahead of trial. But last week, the organization announced a change in course. By the end of this month, it will no longer be directly paying bail.
Timberwolves fan locked out of buying Oklahoma City Thunder tickets through Ticketmaster
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a geolocation lock for anyone buying playoff tickets through Ticketmaster. Ticket sales through that website are restricted to residents in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Nonresidents can still buy tickets on resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek.
Crews battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota have had to contend with windy conditions today. East winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour have been accompanied by gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. And meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that while a system will bring rain to the state today through Wednesday, it's expected to miss the region where fires are burning.
Cold lingers, rain returns and breezy winds continue
Our cold stretch of weather shows no signs of letting up, with below-average temperatures in the 40s and 50s continuing. Soaking rain is set to move in Monday night, lasting through Tuesday, accompanied by breezy easterly winds.
Voting rights advocates tout success of new law in getting formerly incarcerated people to the polls
A change in Minnesota law allows people convicted of felonies to vote after they have been released from incarceration. About 20 percent of people who were previously barred from voting went to the polls — a number that was higher than some advocates expected.
Pope Leo meets with Vance, who delivers an invitation to visit the White House
The meeting appeared part of an effort to reset relations with the Vatican after Pope Francis repeatedly criticized President Trump's migration policy. Vance also gave Pope Leo a Chicago Bears jersey.
Study finds medical cannabis provided relief for those with obstructive sleep apnea
The study by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is the largest on record involving obstructive sleep apnea and medical cannabis patients. It found nearly 4 in 10 patients were able to achieve relief in symptoms.
Minnesota wildfire updates: Crews continue to battle fires near Brimson, Hoyt Lakes
There are now about 600 firefighters from around the country fighting the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires, which together have burned about 45 square miles of forest north of Duluth.
The U.S. hasn’t seen a human bird flu case in 3 months. Experts are wondering why
Health officials are urging vigilance as reports of bird flu cases in humans appear to have stopped. In the last 14 months, infections have been reported in 70 people in the U.S. — most of them workers on dairy and poultry farms.
Israel says it will allow a ‘basic quantity’ of food into Gaza to prevent starvation
Israel blocked all supplies into Gaza for nearly three months, the longest blockade it has ever imposed on Gaza. But Israel is relenting amid international pressure to allow food into the territory.
Lawmakers are expected to be back for a special session later this week after working over the weekend ahead of Monday’s adjournment deadline. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and other government agencies will be hosting a meeting Monday night about the Jenkins Creek and Camp House wildfires.
A ‘last day’ goes by Minnesota lawmakers without a budget concluded; special session on tap
Legislative leaders said they’ll head into a special session to complete work on a new two-year budget. Now, they just hope to finish before the holiday weekend.
St. Paul City Council Member Nelsie Yang champions working class families like her own
Nelsie Yang was just 24 years old in 2019 when she won a seat on the St. Paul City Council representing St. Paul’s east side — becoming the youngest woman and first-ever Hmong woman on the council.
Near the Twin Cities, a hermitage invites all to embrace the silence
In the Isanti County woods, austere cabins at the Pacem in Terris center offer visitors silence, solitude and simplicity. Some people have profound spiritual experiences, some struggle with the silence while others simply crash and sleep for hours.