Minnesota News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Citizens Utility Board says more than 91,000 Minnesota households had their utility service shut off for nonpayment last year. The board cited new research warning there would be more pressure on ratepayers if clean energy incentives are eliminated at the federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Under federal budget bill, how would your electricity bill fare?

If the federal government finalizes the budget reconciliation bill in play, pro-consumer voices in Minnesota warn the changes will not be friendly to …

The Public Interest Research Group said around one-third of Americans live in a state with a Right to Repair law. The policies are designed to make it easier for independent repair shops and customers to access parts and other materials from manufacturers. (Adobe Stock)

Assessing compliance with MN's Right to Repair law one year in

New Minnesota laws take effect this week but consumer and environmental watchdogs are looking back on one from last year designed to bolster product r…

As the nation's farmers retire, beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers could fill the void but their input is needed in developing support programs. A Minnesota group said it was trying to create awareness before a federal grant was abruptly canceled. (Adobe Stock)

MN ag group, promoting local food systems, sues feds over canceled grant

Farm-linked organizations, including one from Minnesota, are ratcheting up legal pressure over canceled federal grants, saying projects designed to …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said one in six young children in the United States ages 2-8 have a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Do not overlook mental health issues in young children

Minnesota teens are using their summer break to set aside added stress and anxiety they deal with during school and as the age group gets more attenti…

Flowers and notes are placed outside the Brooklyn Park home of state Rep. Melissa Hortman after the Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot in what police said was a politically motivated attack. (Mike Moen/PNS)

MN prepares to memorialize Melissa and Mark Hortman

Minnesotans have a chance Friday to pay respects to House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband as this month's political assassination cont…

The Natural Resources Defense Council points to a large body of research showing communities of color are disproportionately exposed to fumes, toxic dust, ash, soot and other pollutants from hazardous facilities in their neighborhoods. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental justice activism finds energy in MN's Latino communities

Minnesotans are cooling off after last weekend's extreme heat but communities bearing the brunt of environmental injustice said there will be more cli…

Minneapolis Climate Action says a 365-kW community solar garden atop North High School produces enough clean energy to power dozens of Minneapolis homes and apartments every year. (Photo courtesy of MPS)

Community solar lives on in Minnesota

Minnesota's high-profile community solar program will stick around after state lawmakers opted not to approve a sunset provision. Assistance groups …

The University of Minnesota and The Land Institute are among those leading research into developing an earth-friendly grain which can be used for beer. (Adobe Stock)

MN raises a glass to a powerful and sustainable grain

CLARIFICATION: In the initial release of this story, the photo caption included a typo that resulted in an unintentional racial slur. In discussions …

Board-certified music therapist Stephanie Johnson, left, works with older adults in a drumming circle through Music Speaks. Her work is part of a movement to bring more signing and music opportunities to people diagnosed with dementia. (Photo courtesy Music Speaks)

A song a day keeps doctors at bay in Midwest choirs

By Frankie (Amy) Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servi…

Honoring Rep. Hortman through acts of public service

Minnesotans gathered at the state Capitol last night for a candlelight vigil for Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, after she was assassinated …

Veterinarians said when there is a bout of unhealthy air from wildfire smoke and you have to get your pet some outside time, mornings are best when the weather is cooler. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting furry friends from wildfire smoke

Minnesota's transition to the warmer months has been rough when factoring in air quality. Just like in 2023, there are occasional bouts of unhealthy …

Minnesota is one of only three states where lawmakers see more pressure to compromise because the Legislature has split power. It is one of only 11 states where shared power comes into play when the Executive Branch is included. (Adobe Stock)

After Hortman assassination, MN civic trainers dig deeper for bipartisanship

The weekend assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman is seen by many as a setback in recruiting future civic leaders who seek out bipartisa…

Humanities experts said facts are important but when a person starts a political conversation armed with bravado instead of curiosity, they are already losing in their attempt to be civically engaged. (Adobe Stock)

MN asks: Can humility, curiosity push aside political hate?

As Minnesotans process this weekend's shooting attacks on lawmakers, they are surrounded by talking points about turning down the political …

In a poll released last year by The States United Democracy Center, 45% of Americans viewed political violence as a major problem. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Assassination of MN lawmaker further normalizes political violence

Minnesota and the nation are feeling the emotional weight of political violence after this weekend's assassination of a top Democratic state lawmaker …

Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, was Minnesota House speaker from 2019 to early 2025. In this spring's legislative session, through a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans, Hortman was named Speaker Emerita and DFL leader in the Minnesota House. (Photo courtesy Hortman's Facebook page)

Rep. Melissa Hortman leaves lasting legacy for women in MN politics

Fighting for a wide range of people with a skill for compromise, is how Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, is being remembered for following her …

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book found in Minnesota in 2023, 28% of Black children, 16% of Hispanic children, 10% of Asian children and 6% of white children under age 18 lived in families with incomes below the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its findings for Minnesota. The report examines results for children in …

St. Paul's sidewalk poetry program has stamped enough forms of literary art onto wet concrete, everyone living in the city could walk to a sidewalk poem in under 10 minutes. (Photo courtesy of Alana Horton for Arts Midwest)

Step into art: Midwest cities turn sidewalk potholes into poetry

By Frankie (Amy) Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servi…

Climate researchers said healthy grasslands serve as a

Dissecting MN's budget for climate change fighting funds

Minnesota lawmakers are scheduled to be in special session Monday in hopes of adopting final budget agreements for 2026 and advocates said there are b…

Organizers of Pride events said they want entities with big platforms to back the LGTBQ+ community year-round, including during legislative seasons and not just supportive messages and sponsorships during June. (Adobe Stock)

Under political storm, MN Pride events look to genuine community support

As Pride events take shape in June, Minnesota organizers recognize a more hostile political climate this year toward LGBTQ+ populations. It has …

Minnesota's current job vacancy rate is slightly less than 6%. (Adobe Stock)

MN's rural job vacancy rate eases but still on troubled ground

New data show improvements in reducing job vacancy rates in Minnesota but researchers said the numbers are still too stubbornly high in most rural reg…

The federal component of Medicaid does not provide health coverage to undocumented individuals but states such as Minnesota have expanded their programs to serve them. It has become a flashpoint in budget debates at the state and federal level. (Adobe Stock)

Health coverage for undocumented immigrants at center of MN budget battle

Minnesota lawmakers remain in crunch time mode in getting a budget passed, with a special session needed and there is spirited debate about whether …

A survey of Minnesotans by Compassion & Choices found they believe medical aid in dying should be a legal option for terminally ill individuals by a margin of 53 points, 73% to 20%. (mykeyruna/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

MN honors cultural differences during AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are a rapidly growing population in the United States - but as those living in Minnesota age…

Food access researchers say not all people living in smaller areas have the resources to drive to bigger supermarkets in larger cities or buy their groceries online. (Adobe Stock)

Despite tough times, some rural MN grocers find survival edge

Grocery stores serving rural settings are seen as the lifeblood of their communities. But concerns about them closing haven't gone away. Nearly a …

Along Minnesota's Iron Range, taconite mining is one of the heavily scrutinized industries in the push to protect surrounding resources, like Lake Superior. (Adobe Stock)

How will Great Lakes region fare with diminished EPA enforcement?

Minnesota has its own carbon emissions reduction goals in place but under a changing federal Environmental Protection Agency, it is an open question …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 9% of women have an alcohol use disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Alcohol emerges as prominent health concern for women

As Women's Health Month winds down, public health officials in Minnesota are joining the chorus of professionals warning about the prevalence of …

Five years after George Floyd's murder, Minnesota government researchers say racial disparities are still a challenge, including a widening homeownership gap for Black residents. (Adobe Stock)

Post-George Floyd, MN communities drive Black wealth building

The racial reckoning spurred by George Floyd's murder got the public's attention about possible progress in ending wealth disparities. A Black-led …

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says being responsible with boat speeds protects other people on the lake, and can also help prevent shoreline erosion from large wakes. (Adobe Stock)

Boating season, and new safety requirements, arrive in MN

Memorial Day weekend is the start of recreational boating season in Minnesota. State officials are encouraged by recent trends in keeping people safe …

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd's murder at the hands of several Minneapolis police officers sparked global protests against systemic racism. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of George Floyd anniversary, feds try to scrap police oversight plans

Just days before the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder, the Trump administration announced it will try to end federal reform efforts …

Racial justice advocates warn that efforts to undermine police accountability laws show the racial reckoning spurred by George Floyd's murder has stalled. But a Minnesota expert says the movement is still an important part of history that will be felt in years to come. (Adobe Stock)

Five years after George Floyd's murder, assessing racial justice progress

This Sunday, racial-justice advocates will observe the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder. A Minnesota professor who has written about …

ArtReach St. Croix participates in Stillwater's annual Rivertown Fall Art Festival along the river in autumn. (Photo courtesy of ArtReach St. Croix)

MN arts org connects creatives across a river and state lines

By Frankie (Amy) Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Servi…

Rising insurance costs are adding another wrinkle to Minnesota's housing crisis. The Minnesota Housing Partnership said costs driven by increased weather risks and rebuilding expenses have pushed <br />insurance premiums in Minnesota to 12th highest in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Despite budget constraints, MN gives affordable housing a bump

Minnesota's legislative session is hovering around its endpoint and lawmakers found extra room in the budget to expand affordable housing. Those …

The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families says 20 counties nationwide have approximately half of women of child-bearing age covered by Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nearly a quarter of rural pregnant women in MN rely on Medicaid

Minnesota is in the top half of states when linking Medicaid coverage with needs for maternal care in rural areas. That's according to a new report …

Federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service said it can take months and even years to recover from the emotional, financial and ecological impacts of a wildfire. (Adobe Stock)

As MN wildfires burn, relief orgs ramp up for recovery

Large wildfires have ravaged parts of northeastern Minnesota and relief organizations are out in full force to assist displaced residents. They said …

Labor unions said with major government investments to boost high-speed internet access, the broadband sector has turned into the

MN labor groups: Workers' rights are under attack

Minnesota labor groups said to keep the state's economy running, they need a more welcoming tone from policymakers. At a rally Tuesday, many members …

About one in four adults age 25 and older globally will have a stroke in their lifetime, according to the American Heart Association. Having a stroke puts you at higher risk for another one. (Adobe Stock)

Donation helps MN rural providers beef up post-stroke care

Minnesota is making use of a multimillion-dollar donation to ensure rural residents recovering from a stroke have better access to rehabilitation care…

AARP says currently, civil law enforcement tools, namely injunctions and monetary orders, are insufficient in stopping scam operations and getting victims' money refunded. (Adobe Stock)

Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in MN

Fear, shame, and helplessness are feelings Minnesota fraud victims describe after losing their life savings to a scam. They're hopeful about a path …

A hunter stands in the Minnesota Heritage Forest Project area, which is protected from heavy industrial use under a new land deal covering nine counties. (Photo courtesy of Jay Brittain)

Mighty Mississippi in MN gets extra shield thanks to land deal

The Mississippi River is the drinking water source for 20 million people and its starting point in northern Minnesota has new protections following co…

Analysts with UnidosUS say the $23 billion average annual SNAP cut under the House budget resolution would be more than three times the size of the largest previous cut ever made to the food-assistance program. (Photo courtesy Farmers Market Coalition)

For MN, SNAP benefits reach farmers markets, other parts of economy

Congressional Republicans are poised to move forward with a proposal that would bring major cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program…

Minnesota's version of the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is geared for helping households in need stay warm in the winter. But for warmer regions, LIHEAP is said to be crucial for customers trying to stay cool in the scorching heat. (Adobe Stock)

MN finally gets federal aid for heating bill program but issue is not settled

For now, Minnesota officials say panic has eased over federal funding for a program helping low-income households with their energy bills but there …

In a statewide survey about Library Media Specialists for Minnesota's K-12 schools, some respondents reported using their personal funds to support the library where they work. (Adobe Stock)

Nearly half of MN school libraries lack licensed media specialist

Minnesota law requires K-12 school libraries to be staffed by a licensed media specialist but survey results indicated almost half of districts have d…

Experts say social, economic, personal and environmental factors are the major influences on a person's well-being. They hope families keep these things in mind, especially mental health, when assessing the state of their household. (Adobe Stock)

Checking underneath the 'family wellness' hood

May is Family Wellness Month, and Minnesota households are encouraged to work on goals beyond the surface level of success. One expert said family …

Reform advocates say people in America's prisons are often forced to work, and if they refuse or say they can't handle the working conditions, they can be punished. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition wants to end 'forced labor' in MN prisons

A Minnesota proposal is in the works that supporters say would end forced labor in correctional facilities. They note the 13th Amendment was adopted …

Environmental experts said you should not stress out about the carbon footprint from grilling, because it is meant to be an enjoyable experience. Still, they urged trying eco-friendly ways of grilling, including the cleaning products they use. (Adobe Stock)

Grill cleaning can be a dirty mess, but for air quality, it doesn't have to be

The unmistakable smell of hamburgers or steak on outdoor grills will soon be making its way through Minnesota neighborhoods and with the weather warmi…

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced in March the Food Safety and Inspection Service will extend waivers allowing pork and poultry producers to process meat at a faster pace than the previous time limits prescribed. (Photo courtesy Sentient)

USDA moves may compromise safety for MN meatpacking workers

By Whitney Curry Wimbish for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

In a North Minneapolis strip mall, Nonviolent Peaceforce recently opened a community space to work with youth to prevent violence. Officials worry about keeping it open after a key federal grant was cut without warning. (Photo courtesy Nonviolent Peaceforce)

Federal cuts bring abrupt halt to community peacebuilding in Minneapolis

Violence prevention groups said building trust in vulnerable neighborhoods is key to their success but a global humanitarian organization worries abou…

At Minnesota's Capitol, state lawmakers are trying to come together on a new two-year budget, estimated to land at around $66 billion. (Adobe Stock)

As May looms, MN lawmakers contend with added budget wrinkles

Minnesota lawmakers have a few weeks left to wrap up their legislative session on time. A new state budget tops the list of remaining tasks, with …

Ash Hanson reads a love letter to a crowd gathered at the YES! House as part of a residency with artist JJ Kapur. (Photo courtesy of Alana Horton)

MN town practices art of love, one letter at a time

By Alana Horton for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Minnesota News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Of the nearly 30,000 fire departments in the United States, almost 19,000 are all volunteer. (Adobe Stock)

MN fire chiefs lean on ads, targeted messaging to boost depleted ranks

In many small Minnesota communities, city hall windows display "firefighters wanted" posters. Lack of interest is a reality local fire chiefs have to …

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Minnesota

Under federal budget bill, how would your electricity bill fare?

Assessing compliance with MN's Right to Repair law one year in

MN ag group, promoting local food systems, sues feds over canceled grant

Expert: Do not overlook mental health issues in young children

MN prepares to memorialize Melissa and Mark Hortman

Environmental justice activism finds energy in MN's Latino communities

Community solar lives on in Minnesota

MN raises a glass to a powerful and sustainable grain

A song a day keeps doctors at bay in Midwest choirs

Honoring Rep. Hortman through acts of public service

Protecting furry friends from wildfire smoke

After Hortman assassination, MN civic trainers dig deeper for bipartisanship

MN asks: Can humility, curiosity push aside political hate?

Expert: Assassination of MN lawmaker further normalizes political violence

Rep. Melissa Hortman leaves lasting legacy for women in MN politics

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

Step into art: Midwest cities turn sidewalk potholes into poetry

Dissecting MN's budget for climate change fighting funds

Under political storm, MN Pride events look to genuine community support

MN's rural job vacancy rate eases but still on troubled ground

Health coverage for undocumented immigrants at center of MN budget battle

MN honors cultural differences during AANHPI Heritage Month

Despite tough times, some rural MN grocers find survival edge

How will Great Lakes region fare with diminished EPA enforcement?

Alcohol emerges as prominent health concern for women

Post-George Floyd, MN communities drive Black wealth building

Boating season, and new safety requirements, arrive in MN

Ahead of George Floyd anniversary, feds try to scrap police oversight plans

Five years after George Floyd's murder, assessing racial justice progress

MN arts org connects creatives across a river and state lines

Despite budget constraints, MN gives affordable housing a bump

Report: Nearly a quarter of rural pregnant women in MN rely on Medicaid

As MN wildfires burn, relief orgs ramp up for recovery

MN labor groups: Workers' rights are under attack

Donation helps MN rural providers beef up post-stroke care

Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in MN

Mighty Mississippi in MN gets extra shield thanks to land deal

For MN, SNAP benefits reach farmers markets, other parts of economy

MN finally gets federal aid for heating bill program but issue is not settled

Nearly half of MN school libraries lack licensed media specialist

Checking underneath the 'family wellness' hood

Coalition wants to end 'forced labor' in MN prisons

Grill cleaning can be a dirty mess, but for air quality, it doesn't have to be

USDA moves may compromise safety for MN meatpacking workers

Federal cuts bring abrupt halt to community peacebuilding in Minneapolis

As May looms, MN lawmakers contend with added budget wrinkles

MN town practices art of love, one letter at a time

MN fire chiefs lean on ads, targeted messaging to boost depleted ranks