MPR News Update
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Good morning and welcome to Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. 

Another warmer day. Mostly cloudy statewide, but temps will be in the lower 40s in the Twin Cities and southwest. Northeast highs in the mid 30s. Overnight, lows in the lower 30s, with some places getting down to the mid 20s. More on Updraft. | Forecast

Impeachment hearings start at 8 a.m. today. We’ll carry them live online and on the radio. Among those expected to testify is Lt. Col Alexander Vindman, who listened to the July 25 phone call between President Trump and Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy — the call that prompted the impeachment inquiry. Here’s what else to expect

In a tweet, the president said he’s considering a written testimony in the impeachment inquiry. "Even though I did nothing wrong, and don't like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get Congress focused again, strongly consider it!" he tweeted.

A Twin Cities contractor accused of exploiting immigrant workers was supposed to face criminal charges in a first-of-its-kind trial in Hennepin County this week. But Ricardo Batres instead pleaded guilty Monday to labor trafficking, and prosecutors say other cases in the construction industry are coming.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has uncovered more improper payments, and counties and tribes are on the hook to help pay the money back. The payments total more than $10 million and include improper checks to substance abuse providers, a welfare assistance program and child foster care services. They come on top of the recent discovery of $29 million in overpayments the department made to two state tribes over a span of more than a decade for substance abuse treatments.

Minneapolis is expanding a program to reduce gang violence. MinnPost’s Jessica Lee reports that the “Group Violence Intervention” initiative will expand from north into south Minneapolis under a proposal by Mayor Jacob Frey. Its leaders say the strategy has already helped curb gang-related shootings — GVI only began in 2016. 

If you’re flying, MSP airport officials want to make sure you’re getting what you paid for. Airport leaders criticized the Transportation Security Administration for closing a security checkpoint that TSA said it would staff: “Every single traveler is paying for security screening services that are now being taken away.”

Have you used our Outside in MN app?  Tell us what you do or don’t like about it. We want your feedback so we can improve the experience for you and the rest of our users. Download the app here to get timely weather updates, events and how-to guides on your next outdoor adventure.

Cody Nelson, MPR News
Watch: Impeachment hearings resume with White House, State Department witnesses
Philip Ewing | NPR
House Democrats are set to kick off week two of their impeachment hearings on Tuesday with witnesses who listened firsthand when President Trump spoke on July 25 with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
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Minneapolis council panel OKs ban on "conversion" therapy
Matt Sepic and Tiffany Bui | MPR News
The Minneapolis City Council this week is expected to pass a ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for minors. The controversial practice aims to change a person’s sexual orientation from gay to straight. It has drawn the ire of many in the LGBT community and others, who say it doesn’t work, has no scientific basis, and amounts to psychological torture.
What's on the radio today

Live coverage of impeachment hearings begins at 8 a.m.

MPR News will carry live coverage of the impeachment hearing into President Trump throughout the day. There are two sets of witnesses appearing Tuesday. In the morning, the House Intelligence Committee will hear from two witnesses:
  • Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence

  • Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the director for European Affairs at the National Security Council

There will be two more witnesses on Tuesday afternoon, both requested by the committee’s Republican members: 

  • Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy to Ukraine

  • Tim Morrison, a former National Security Council official

NPR’s Audie Cornish will host the special coverage. She will be joined by correspondents Domenico Montanaro and Tamara Keith in the morning, and by Ron Elving and Scott Detrow in the afternoon. These NPR experts will offer context and analysis during breaks and between the morning and afternoon hearing.

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