Minnesota Today®

The Democratic Governors Association has elected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as its new chair. And in Rochester, educators have begun implementing required changes that focus on how reading is taught in the state. 

More than 550 soldiers from the Guard's 34th Infantry Division Red Bull headquarters are getting ready for a 10-month, regularly scheduled deployment to the Middle East. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minneapolis City Council allocates millions for non-police-based public safety initiatives in the 2024 budget. Mayor Jacob Frey is critical of the funding strategies for these programs. We also hear about internal tensions within the DFL Party, highlighting the public rebuke of Senator Ron Latz by several party members over his controversial comments regarding Palestinian youth amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Judge Wilhelmina Wright, the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge in Minnesota, says she plans to step down from the federal bench on Feb. 15. And the latest Minnesota Community Measure report says the cost of health care services for people with private insurance increased 7 percent in 2022. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Anti-war protesters gathered Wednesday for a meeting of the Minnesota State Board of Investment to call the board to pull state money invested in companies linked to Israel. Members of Minnesota’s Jewish community asked the board to block efforts to divest from Israel. And a pair of state lawmakers introduced a child care affordability proposal aimed at lowering the cost of child care in the state.

Anti-war protesters gathered for a meeting of the Minnesota State Board of Investment, calling on the board to pull state money invested in companies they say are linked to Israel and the Israeli military. Members of Minnesota's Jewish Community spoke urging the state board to block efforts to erase Israeli investments from the public portfolio, saying the State Board of Investment should oppose divestment. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Mayo Clinic has unveiled plans for a new $5 billion campus in downtown Rochester. And the State Emblems Redesign Commission is looking for public feedback before it narrows its pool of finalists for a new state flag and seal. 

A man convicted of killing a flower shop owner in the city nearly two decades ago testified in court Tuesday that he is innocent of the crime. Also, Mayo Clinic announces a $5 billion expansion to its campus. This is the evening MPR News update for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court Karl Procaccini is now the first person of Muslim faith to sit on the state's highest court. Natalie Hudson made history yesterday as well when she took her oath of office and became first person of color to lead the Minnesota Supreme Court as chief justice. And the union for teachers in the Anoka-Hennepin school district has filed for mediation after it’s teacher contract expired in June. 

Rochesters Public Schools announced major changes to manage the district’s bloated budget, a move that is shaking up the system. This is the evening MPR News update for Monday. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.