Good morning, Minnesota. It's Thursday!

Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕

WEATHER

☀️ After a few days with temperatures in the 30s, unseasonably-warm weather with temperatures in the 70s returns to Minnesota.

🔥 Bright sun, low humidity and south breezes will create high fire danger. Critical fire weather conditions are possible across the entire state of Minnesota through Thursday evening.

Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Minnesota Republican Party sues Hennepin County over election judges list

A state law requires each county in Minnesota select election judges from lists provided by the Republican and Democratic parties. A lawsuit claims Hennepin County violated state statute by not selecting judges from a GOP list.

The 3rd Precinct keeps showing up in the GOP playbook. Minneapolis wants to turn the page

Speaking outside the former 3rd Precinct in Minneapolis this week, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance criticized Gov. Tim Walz for his response to civil unrest in 2020, painting a picture of a burned-down city with rampant crime. He isn’t the first politician to do so this campaign season. Many nearby residents and business owners who have worked to rebuild hope he’s the last.

NEWS ROUNDUP

🚓 Minneapolis council members seek more oversight of off-duty police work. The controversial system has previously been called out by the Department of Justice for undermining officer supervision, with hourly rates for officers reaching up to $175 per hour — none of which goes to the city.

🏀 Liberty beat Lynx 80-77, lead WNBA Finals 2-1. The Liberty are one victory away from winning their first title. Game 4 is Friday night in Minnesota with a deciding fifth game in New York on Sunday if necessary.

🚨 Judge warns ex-Feeding Our Future boss to follow release rules. The lead defendant in the Feeding Our Future case was back in court Wednesday to answer allegations that she violated her pretrial release conditions.

🌽 Ag leaders voice concerns over negative impacts of tariffs proposed in presidential election. Midwestern agricultural leaders say they are concerned new tariffs being suggested by former President Donald Trump as part of his reelection bid could result in a damaging trade war. They say it could cost the corn and soybeans billions of dollars.

⚖️ Moriarty seeks inmate's release in first use of Minnesota sentencing adjustment law. A Minnesota man sentenced to life in prison for murder in 1996 could see an early release after the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed a petition Wednesday for a reconsideration of his sentence.

⚡ PUC orders Xcel Energy to refund customers for 2011 Sherco outage costs. A major mechanical failure at the Sherco coal-fired power plant near Becker caused a fire and extensive damage in 2011. An administrative law judge recently found that Xcel’s failure to prudently operate and maintain Unit 3 contributed to the accident.

🎃 Art Hounds: 'Halloween Tree' provides family seasonal thrills; also: theater about mental health and a new version of a classic monster story.

🎓 Be the first: Success stories from Minnesota's trailblazers. Join MPR News and Sahan Journal on Oct. 17 for a conversation with people who are in the first in their communities. What does it take to be a trailblazer?

MUST LISTEN

🎧 Is Minnesota a basketball state? A new film makes the case. Gabe Hostetler is the filmmaker behind “Basketball State: Land of 10,000 Hoops,” which premieres Sunday at the Twin Cities Film Fest.

🎧 More young women are getting breast cancer. MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation with a survivor and her oncologist about diagnosis, survivorship challenges and why breast cancer still kills 40,000 people each year.

🎧 Listen to today's headlines on our Minnesota Today podcast.

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