Stories from August 14, 2024

Court disbars Twin Cities attorney after misconduct investigation
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday banned veteran Twin Cities attorney Michael B. Padden from practicing law in the state after an investigation found a lengthy pattern of misconduct. An investigator found that Padden had forged a client’s signature on a contract and urged another client to skip a sentencing hearing.
Breaking community defends b-girl Raygun and is hopeful for return to Olympic program
In a show of support on Sunday, the head judge of the breaking competition said 36-year-old university professor Rachael Gunn was just trying to be original. And the breaking federation says it has offered mental health support in the wake of online criticism.
Developers of stalled Minnesota copper-nickel mine plan studies that may lead to significant changes
The developers of a long-delayed copper-nickel mining project in northeastern Minnesota announced Wednesday that they plan to conduct a series of studies over the next year on potential ways to improve environmental safeguards and make the mine more cost- and energy-efficient, which could lead to significant changes to the design.
WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads
The Africa CDC previously said mpox, also known as monkeypox, has been detected in 13 countries this year, and more than 96 percent of all cases and deaths are in Congo.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will travel to his home state of Nebraska this weekend as the Democratic vice presidential nominee makes a play for a single Electoral College vote. A Minneapolis fire last night injured four people and displaced thirty.
From NRA ally to adversary: Gov. Tim Walz track record on guns highlights policy evolution
Few areas illustrate the political evolution of Gov. Tim Walz than guns. He was a top-rated lawmaker by the National Rifle Association early in his congressional career. As governor, he’s enacted gun restrictions and now has gun-owner groups seething.
Trump touts historic deportation plans, but his own record reveals big obstacles
Former President Donald Trump and his allies promise a historic deportation effort if he's reelected. But internal documents from his time in office show how difficult that would be to execute.
‘We‘re going to deliver the 7th District for President Trump‘: Rep. Fischbach on her primary win
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach won a contentious Republican primary in western Minnesota‘s 7th District Tuesday, holding off a challenge from the right by Steve Boyd.
With majority-making state Senate race, Minnesota’s priciest legislative campaign could be afoot
A special election for a west metro Senate seat will determine which party has control of the Minnesota Senate. The race creates an opportunity for Republicans to break up the DFL trifecta. 
Minnetonka area voters to decide control of Minnesota senate in November
Former DFL lawmaker Ann Johnson Stewart won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Senate District 45. She will face Republican Kathleen Fowke in a special election that will determine control of the state senate.
After Minnesota primary, Democrats turn attention to Chicago for national convention
The Democratic National Convention begins Monday in Chicago. Since last week’s addition of Gov. Tim Walz to the Democratic ticket, there are many more eyes on the convention here in Minnesota.
Democrat, Republican experts weigh in on primary election results, look to fall challenges
Attorney and Democratic political analyst Abou Amara and Paul Anderson, a GOP party operative and former Republican state senator who represented Senate District 44 in the Plymouth area, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to parse the primary results and what they both expect to be expensive campaigns ahead of Nov. 5.
There's an apostrophe battle brewing among grammar nerds. Is it Harris' or Harris's?
Whatever possessed Vice President Kamala Harris to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, it probably wasn’t a desire to inflame arguments about apostrophes. But it doesn’t take much to get grammar nerds fired up.
'Republicans for Harris' want conservatives to vote Democrat in 2024 to topple Trump
In its first virtual rally, "Republicans for Harris" encouraged fellow conservatives to vote for Democrats, Vice President Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, over former President Donald Trump.
We now know the names that will appear on November’s general election ballot after Tuesday’s primary elections. And Gov. Tim Walz responds to claims he lied about his service in the the Army National Guard. 
Twins clobber Royals 13-3 to win crisp debut by fast-rising starting pitcher Zebby Matthews
Zebby Matthews threw five crisp innings to win his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins, who hit Seth Lugo hard to hand the All-Star right-hander his worst start this season and beat the Kansas City Royals 13-3. 
Rooftop solar has a fraud problem. The industry is working to build back trust
The rooftop solar business is a big source of consumer complaints. Across the country, prosecutors are investigating sales practices and financing arrangements. Now the solar industry is working to repair its reputation.
Young Black voters are becoming more conservative than their parents. Here's why
Black voters are the most reliable Democratic voting bloc. Young voters overwhelmingly support the party, too. But young Black voters are a wild card as they feel disconnected from politics.
In the Twin Cities, mapping the warming urban heat island to prepare for an even hotter future
This summer, volunteers collected detailed temperature and humidity data across Hennepin and Ramsey counties. It’s part of an effort to map the urban heat island in the Twin Cities to help plan for climate change-fueled extreme heat.
Unchecked development, lax regulation push Minnesota lakeshores to the edge
Development has destroyed nearly half the natural shorelines that help protect Minnesota lakes from erosion and pollution. Reversing that means convincing people that their vision of beauty is killing the thing they love.
Protecting Minnesota’s vanishing natural shorelines
Many Minnesota lakes are in trouble. Nearly half of our state’s natural shorelines have been lost. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how to prevent shoreline erosion on the lakes we love.
Republican Joe Teirab to face Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in Minnesota’s most competitive Congressional district
The stage is now set for November’s general election in three closely watched races for U.S. House. Incumbents Ilhan Omar and Michelle Fischbach won their primaries while Republican Joe Teirab secured the nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Angie Craig.
After other members of the 'Squad' lost their primaries, Rep. Ilhan Omar manages to hold on
The Minnesota congresswoman held on in Tuesday's primary. Omar's race gained significant attention after losses by other members of the progressive group of House lawmakers known as the "Squad."
Wisconsin voters reject GOP-written ballot measures, U.S. Senate race set with Hovde's primary win
Wisconsin voters have decided against two constitutional amendments passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have taken power away from the governor.
Rochester Police seek help identifying vandals behind racist graffiti at state representative’s home
The Rochester Police Department said it needs help identifying vandals who spray-painted State Rep. Kim Hicks’ home with racist graffiti earlier this month. The police department shared suspect photos on Facebook, which Hicks confirmed were captured on her security camera.