Extreme drought expanding rapidly in Minnesota, but some relief may be near
August 6, 2021
There are a few rain chances in the forecast through early next week that will help slow the worsening drought and may even bring some spots slight improvements in the dry conditions.
- Video Drought means low flow to iconic North Shore waterfalls, trouble for fish
- 'You pray for rain' Low rivers stressing irrigators, recreationists — and potentially, critters
- Underground water Drought threatens to empty wells in parts of Minnesota
Opinion: Suni Lee's win shines a bright light on the Hmong legacy
August 4, 2021
The Hmong community in Minnesota needed Lee’s gold medal win to inspire us and the larger community needed Lee’s Olympic victory to see Asian Americans as Americans, writes MPR executive Ka Vang.
- 'A historic moment for our community' Hmong Minnesotans cheer Lee's Olympic journey
- Lee's journey From Olympic goals to Olympic gold
- Learn more 10 things about Hmong culture you probably didn't know
COVID-19 in MN: Caseloads accelerating among Black Minnesotans
August 4, 2021
As Minnesota continues to see COVID-19 cases edging higher, new data shows that new cases are growing far faster for African Americans than for other communities of color or whites. It’s happening as the vaccination rate has slowed.
- Monday Active cases rising but no big surge seen
- CDC Recommends indoor masking for many MN counties
- COVID-19 in MN Unvaccinated 'extremely vulnerable' to delta strain
Talking Volumes Tickets
August 3, 2021
Join host Kerri Miller as she welcomes an amazing lineup of writers to the stage.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 3 at noon, and you can save when you buy the full season. Get your tickets at mprevents.org and find more information about the authors and the books they’ll be discussing with Kerri.
YourClassical MPR: Hear the horns of River City Rhythm drum and bugle corps
August 3, 2021
Drum and bugle corps are back this summer for the first time in more than two years because of the pandemic. Anoka-based River City Rhythm’s field show is making its only Minnesota appearance on Thursday in Rochester, along with several other corps. Until then, enjoy these performances from when the corps’ horns visited Minnesota Public Radio in 2019 for a special recording session.
Schools struggle to meet demand for summer programs
August 2, 2021
After more than a year of pandemic learning, Minnesota schools are using summer sessions to give students the chance to do the sort of in-person learning some have missed since March 2020. But even with expanded offerings, many summer sessions haven't been able to meet a rise in demand from students and families.
- Sparked by pandemic fallout Homeschooling surges across U.S.
- Kindergarten enrollment fell last year Now schools wonder how many kids are coming
Explainer: Is Minnesota doing enough to limit evictions?
August 2, 2021
Elements of Minnesota's eviction moratorium are expected to remain in place until June 1, 2021.
Finding climate history in the river bottom
August 1, 2021
The current drought is helping researchers who are studying the history of flooding in the Red River Valley. They’re collecting samples of old trees buried in the muddy river bottom to help build a regional climate picture going back hundreds of years.
- Slowing ‘flashy’ Minn. rivers New effort aims to hold back water
- When '100-year floods' happen often What should you call them?
'Unprecedented': MN air quality 'very unhealthy' into next week
July 31, 2021
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the air quality alert for all of Minnesota through 3 p.m. Tuesday as smoke from Canadian fires persists. Air quality will be “very unhealthy” for much of the state, including the Twin Cities, through the weekend.
- Weekend forecast Chance of a showers, air quality alert expected
- Thursday Worst air quality on record in Minnesota
Timeline: Olympian Sunisa Lee's path from St. Paul to stardom
July 30, 2021
Sunisa Lee became an Olympic champion and a Minnesota icon when she won the women's gymnastics all-around title at the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Learn more about her journey.
- Photos From Olympic goals to Olympic gold — Sunisa Lee's journey
- Tears and cheers Lee family reacts to Suni making gold
- Sunisa Lee Still focused on college, not fame