Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕
WEATHER
🌬️ Wednesday morning brings a chill to Minnesota, but these readings are actually closer to normal after near-record warmth the last few days. Highs will be in the 50s for southern Minnesota and just in the 40s north.
🌧️ It will be milder Thursday with highs returning to the 60s, but another cold front will move in Thursday afternoon. We could see a chance of rain showers and possibly even a little thunder for central and southern Minnesota Thursday afternoon into the evening.
This year marks the first time Minnesota college students will get to vote early on campus following a law passed in 2023 by the state Legislature that allows for on-campus, pop-up early voting sites.
Voters in Grand Rapids are concerned about the economy and other issues central to this divisive election. But in a small town where people rub shoulders with those on the other side of the political spectrum, they’re more interested in maintaining civility.
👨⚖️ Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland admits threatening to shoot girlfriend, pleads guilty to felony. Ramsey County prosecutors charged Sutherland over the summer with a felony count of making threats of violence, to which he pleaded guilty on Monday.
🚆 Metro Transit announces new Gold Line bus rapid transit route will be extended to Minneapolis. A new bus rapid transit route set to begin operating between Woodbury and St. Paul next spring will also be expanded to serve downtown Minneapolis in 2027.
🏀 Lakers win over Minnesota 110-103 in NBA season opener. Anthony Edwards scored 27 points for the Timberwolves, who are coming off their best season in 20 years. Minnesota next plays Sacramento on Thursday.
📝 Rudy Gobert confirms he reached a contract extension that's a 'win-win' with the Timberwolves. Gobert is getting a three-year, $110 million extension with Minnesota, which acquired the French big man in a trade with Utah in 2022. His new deal adds more years to his commitment to the Timberwolves.
MUST LISTEN
🎧 Investigative reporter explains STEP Academy's financial peril. One of Minnesota's largest charter schools is on the brink of shutting down. Jeffrey Meitrodt, investigative reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune, joined MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to break down what he says could be the “largest charter school failure in Minnesota history.”
🎧 How well do you know your neighbors? Just over one-half of Americans say they know only some of their neighbors and one-quarter of adults under age 30 say they don’t know any of their neighbors, according to a Pew Research Center study. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about neighbors, why our ties to them matter and how to make connections with the people who live nearby.
Elevate your wardrobe and support your favorite local news source with new merch from MPR News. From joggers and t-shirts to totes and mugs (obviously) we have great gear for every news lover.
