MPR News UpdateAM edition

Good morning! Scattered storms and breezy today. Highs in the upper 70s. So if you haven't heard by now, Disney has cast Halle Bailey as Ariel in the forthcoming "Little Mermaid." Some people are going bonkers -- because Bailey is black. The complaints run along the lines of: "The actress should look like the real Little Mermaid!" By which they presumably mean the white-skinned, blue-eyed cartoon character in the 1989 blockbuster film. Disney cable channel Freeform has waded into the controversy. "Ariel ... is a mermaid," it said on Instagram. "But for the sake of argument, let's say that Ariel, too, is Danish. Danish mermaids can be black because Danish *people* can be black."  | Forecast

Assaulted in 'safest place,' state employee works to change gov't response
Safia Khan was working as a sexual assault advocate when she was assaulted by a Department of Corrections staffer last year. Now she works inside the department and wants to improve a system that she says failed her. | Minnesota House survey reveals sex harassment concerns at Capitol | Women worry about consequences for speaking up
Taking a roommate can make economic sense for homeowners, tenants
Renting out a room can provide homeowners with extra income, and renters with better accommodations for their money -- but the details can bedevil. | Report: Cost of housing in Twin Cities region on track to rival Denver, Seattle | In Mpls., tax breaks for landlords help boost affordable housing
Minnesota's newest National Guard general is a trailblazer
Stefanie Horvath was promoted Tuesday from colonel to Minnesota National Guard brigadier general. She is the Guard's first openly lesbian general.
Ramsey County deputies to wear body cameras by summer's end
Ramsey County sheriff's deputies will start wearing body cameras by the end of this summer, according to Sheriff Bob Fletcher. The sheriff said his office will not share body camera video with ICE.
UK ambassador to U.S. quits days after leaked cables on Trump
Kim Darroch said in a letter Wednesday that even though his posting was due to end this year, he believed "in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador."
Judge says administration can't change lawyers in census citizenship question case
The judge called the effort by the Justice Department to replace its legal team "patently deficient."
Pentagon: July 4 flyovers, tank displays and performances cost $1.2 million
Defense Department officials released their tally on Tuesday after mounting pressure to detail the costs for taxpayers, but they say personnel participation was part of the training budget.
Photos: Immigrant kids jump into Minnesota's outdoor summer culture
A Minnesota summer camp is helping connect city kids and children of refugees to the state's outdoor summer culture, often for the first time. It's also altering perceptions about who enjoys the outdoors. | Outside in Minnesota
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