Stories from May 22, 2025

Billboards blasting budget cuts at Voyageurs National Park greet drivers in Duluth
A liberal advocacy group put up six billboards in and around Duluth this month, warning “reduced staff, increased danger” at Voyageurs National Park. It’s part of a national campaign criticizing DOGE-initiated budget cuts to national parks. 
Siblings reflect on 5 years of serving George Floyd Square and south Minneapolis
Jeanette Rupert, Jeanelle Austin and Butchy Austin grew up around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis and all took action in different ways following the murder of George Floyd. They shared with MPR News how their activism has impacted them and their communities in the time since.
‘This is a dark day:’ Rep. Kelly Morrison slams newly-passed House budget bill
Every House Democrat voted against the bill, including U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison, who represents Minnesota’s third district. Morrison spoke with MPR News host Emily Reese about it.
An international student who’s been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since March was released under a judge’s order Thursday. Firefighting crews are now making quick progress on wildfires that have burned in northeastern Minnesota for nearly two weeks. And lawmakers are expecting to work through the Memorial Day weekend to finalize the bills needed to craft a two-year state budget.
Minnesota lawmakers prepare for working weekend after blowing self-imposed deadline
Some working groups dribbled out details of their budget bills Thursday after meeting in private to craft them. The largest pieces of Minnesota’s more than $66 billion budget remained unfinished.
Two sites in St. Paul will be renamed to reflect cultural significance to Dakota tribes
The city of St. Paul announced Wednesday the renaming of Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Indian Mounds Regional Park to Waḳaƞ Ṭípi, meaning “dwelling place of the sacred” and Wicaḣapi, meaning “cemetery.”
Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students
The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students in its escalating battle with the Ivy League school. It says thousands of current students must transfer to other schools or leave the country. 
U of M grad student released from ICE custody after judge's ruling
Doğukan Günaydın had been held in the Sherburne County Jail after being arrested by immigration authorities. A federal judge ruled this week that his detention violated his procedural due process rights. He was released Thursday.
After nearly two weeks, crews are getting the upper hand on northern Minnesota wildfires
Crews are getting the upper hand on two major wildfires still burning in northern Minnesota. The Camp House fire is now 90 percent contained, while the larger Jenkins Creek fire is 32 percent contained.
Back to bright: Dry weather returns with sunshine
After a stretch of soggy days and overcast skies, the sun returns just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend. A gradual warming trend is also on the way, with temperatures expected to climb back to more seasonal levels, reaching the 70s by early next week.
No more pennies: In big change, Treasury will stop minting them
In a cost-cutting move, the Treasury Department will soon stop minting new pennies. The one-cent coins will still be legal tender. There are more than 100 billion pennies in circulation but many are gathering dust in change jars and forgotten pockets.
Senate overrules parliamentarian and votes to undo California EV rule
The Senate parliamentarian advised lawmakers that they couldn't use the Congressional Review Act to revoke California's right to set vehicle standards. But they did it anyway. Expect a legal fight.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after a police officer shot and killed a man in Coon Rapids on Wednesday. Authorities said the man refused commands to drop a knife, then moved toward police officers.
Graffiti artist reflects on painting iconic, haunting George Floyd mural 5 years later
Peyton Scott Russell joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to talk about what drove him to pick up a can of spray paint and create “Icon of a Revolution” back in May 2020.
Treating the young mind
The phrase “if only” is often used concerning a person’s mental health. If only we'd known they were hurting.
In the year after his murder, big banks including JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo announced plans to invest millions of dollars in small, Black-owned banks across the country, to help those banks make more loans to small businesses in underserved communities. 
The U.S. Department of Justice is pulling out of proposed oversight agreements with the Minneapolis Police Department. And a federal judge has ordered the release of a University of Minnesota student from ICE custody.
House Republicans pass Trump's big bill of tax breaks and program cuts after all-night session
House Republicans stayed up all night to pass their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package. Speaker Mike Johnson defied the skeptics within his ranks and muscled President Donald Trump’s priority bill to approval Thursday.
2 Israeli Embassy aides are killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C., officials say
As attendees departed an event held by a Jewish advocacy organization in D.C. on Wednesday night, a shooter opened fire, killing two. Later, he chanted "free Palestine," D.C. police officials said.