MPR News AM Update
 
The smoke plume from Canadian wildfires is widespread across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest this week. A cold front pushing through Thursday will cause sinking air that will bring some of that elevated smoke down to ground level. Get the latest on Updraft.

🎙️Coming up on Morning Edition: MPR News reporter Dan Kraker breaks down the state's historic environment and climate bill.

And, Minnesota is getting $60.5 million from the settlement of its lawsuit with e-cigarette maker Juul Labs and Altria. MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik has the story on how the state hopes to spend the money.

🎧At 9 a.m. Thursday, MPR News guest host Nini Moini speaks with Tommee Beevas about how his grandmother inspired his cooking and the vision for his business, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen.

😊We're collecting stories about 'Minnesota nice' and we want to hear from you! Do you have a story about a time you experienced 'Minnesota nice?' We want to hear the many ways this cultural phenomenon appears in our lives. Tell us about it here.
 
A cluster of small pine cones on an evergreen tree
State lawmakers agree to 'historic' environment and climate bill

State lawmakers have reached an agreement on what backers say is a historic environment, energy and climate budget bill that will make transformative investments to help Minnesota combat climate change and move more aggressively toward a carbon-free economy.

The $2 billion dollar package tackles big conservation issues like so-called “forever chemicals,” or PFAS, and chronic wasting disease, while also addressing long-standing environmental justice concerns.

And it invests hundreds of millions of dollars in dozens of initiatives to cut greenhouse gas emissions, from funding for solar panels on schools to electric vehicle rebates.

 
What else we're watching:
Minnesota is getting $60.5 million in e-cigarette settlement. Public health advocates are optimistic that — unlike billions from the state’s landmark 1998 settlement with tobacco companies — all of the proceeds from the e-cig settlement will go directly toward reducing nicotine use.

Strip club to neighborhood grocery store: Karen and Nepali Foods opens in St. Paul. A small business owner and his partners have turned a former St. Paul strip club into a neighborhood grocery store. For years, the Lamplighter Lounge was the subject of many police calls for violent shootings — a couple of them fatal. 

Celebration rings! Minnesotan reunited with jewelry 13 years after flushing it. Mary Strand hadn’t thought much about her diamond ring after she accidentally flushed it down the toilet. Now, 13 years later, she and the ring are reunited.

Love taxidermy, odd art and mad clowns? Check out this circus-like expo. The Oddities & Curiosities Expo is bringing about 150 vendors selling gothic and dark-fantasy items, a “mad clown” museum, sideshow acts and a taxidermy class to Minneapolis on Saturday.

Art Hounds: Mid-century modern weekend. Art Hounds recommend an Art-A-Whirl event, Tammy Ortegon’s fine art retrospective and a group show of North Shore artists.

Minnesota Aurora’s Paola Then will represent Dominican Republic on national team. As her Minnesota team kicks off their first game, Then will be in her home country, the Dominican Republic, preparing to play Mexico in the women’s under-20 continental championship. That’s a qualifying tournament for the under-20 FIFA world cup.

Capitol roundup: Paid family leave advances, ERA gets Senate approval. More items from the ambitious checklist of the Capitol’s all-Democratic power base advanced Wednesday, including an expansive proposal to assure people time off with pay for family caregiving or serious illness.


- Sam Stroozas, MPR News
SPONSOR

 
 
Connect With Us




Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe today.
MPR News

Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe

You received this email because you subscribed or it was sent to you by a friend.

This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101