Stories from October 1, 2024

Red River Valley man preserves legacy of Hispanic migrant workers who settled there
Ken Mendez lives in Minnesota’ s Red River Valley, where some of the first Hispanic communities settled in the state. They arrived in the early 1900s as migrant farmers to the area and played a part in building the sugar beet industry.
Report: Relationship abuse led to killing of 40 people last year, most yet since 1989
A new report shows 40 people were killed last year as a result of relationship abuse. This includes victims, bystanders and intervenors. It’s the highest number since Violence Free Minnesota, a statewide coalition, began tracking intimate partner violence in 1989.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife signs Tamarac co-stewardship agreement with White Earth
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the White Earth Nation have signed a co-stewardship agreement for the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Minnesota. The agreement will not change public access to the refuge, but will give tribal resource managers more input in refuge management.
Walz is not the first Minnesotan to debate for the vice presidency. Take a look back at Walter Mondale’s historic 1976 debate
On the day of the Tim Walz and JD Vance vice presidential debate, we look back on the first ever VP debate between another Minnesotan candidate, Walter Mondale and Bob Dole in 1976.
Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance are in New York preparing for their first — and likely only — debate tonight. The US Attorney's Office announced today that another person charged with allegedly stealing money from federal child nutrition programs has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Minnesota trees in turmoil due to drastic seasonal changes
Minnesota’s trees are having a tough time. There was barely any snow last winter, leaving roots unprotected. Then the soil became downright swampy after an extremely soggy spring and early summer. Now, conditions have flipped to widespread drought in a matter of weeks.
Should moderators fact-check? Veteran broadcast debate host, journalism professor weigh in
MPR News host emeritus Gary Eichten and University of Minnesota associate professor and director of the Minnesota Journalism Center Benjamin Toff joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the positives and perils of live political debates.
Minnesota's climate law rollout sparks questions over what counts as 'carbon free'
It’s up to regulators to decide what exactly counts as carbon free — the key question that has arisen is whether burning trash and timber for energy should be a part of the mix.
The Breakthrough of ’48: When Civil Rights Won the White House
At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey demanded his party “walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.” Southern Democrats defected, creating their own Dixiecrat Party. But President Harry Truman ran for re-election as the candidate of civil rights, and his dramatic victory set the stage for the landmark civil rights laws of the 1960s.
Early childhood champion Carolyn Smallwood on nurturing young children
What happens to us when we’re very young children can set us up for life. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the CEO of the nonprofit Way to Grow about what we can do to nurture kids’ development.
Lebanon's government urges international community for support amid Israel’s invasion
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country was facing “one of the most dangerous phases of its history” amid Israel’s ground incursion into southern Lebanon, which began late Monday.
Horror and mystery are center stage with two Twin Cities productions
MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi reviews two Twin Cities shows for Halloween, with “Scotland, PA” offering a comedic, fast-food-themed take on “Macbeth,” and “The Reunion” providing a clever, meta whodunnit.
Lockdown at Minnetonka HS lifted; authorities determine 'suspicious' people were a work crew
Minnetonka High School was placed into lockdown on Tuesday as police responded to a report of suspicious people on campus. Authorities later said it was a work crew at the school.
Campfire ban now in place for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Deepening drought conditions have led officials to ban campfires in northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Meanwhile, authorities reported an increase in activity in recent days at a smoldering wildfire in the BWCAW.
Near-normal temperatures to start October
It’s finally considerably cooler, but actually right near normal for temperatures Tuesday. It will be a bit of a roller coaster for temperatures into the weekend and continued dry. 
The much-anticipated vice presidential debate is Tuesday night in New York.  Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee faces off against his GOP counterpart, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. You can listen to the debate live tonight on MPR News.
Vance and Walz are both veterans. Here's what it means to have a vet VP
For the first time since 1996, both major parties have picked a veteran for vice president — a fact that some veterans' groups are hoping it leads to greater understanding of military and vet issues.
Justice Department No. 3 official pledges to fight hate crimes, fueled by personal story
The Justice Department's third-in-command talked about the department's pledge to fight hate crimes, and shared he was close in age to Matthew Shepard, whose death inspired a federal law helping to prosecute people fueled by hate.
JD Vance’s time on the trail has often been overshadowed by self-made controversy
Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance is prolific on the campaign trail with speeches and talking to reporters, but his messaging has at times been overshadowed by controversy often of his own making.
Walz, Vance split on abortion, border, economic policies in issues-driven debate
Questions around climate change, border concerns, abortion and the economy drove Tuesday night’s vice presidential faceoff. Vance and Walz remained largely cordial in the debate and steered away from personal attacks.
As debate rages over coverage, rural Minnesotans face challenges getting fertility care
For many rural Minnesotans getting treatments is still really hard and expensive. The stark reality is 1 in 6 in the state are currently experiencing infertility, and for those living outside the metro, treatment options are especially limited. 
 St. Cloud Somali community seeks political influence, but not all share same views
More than two decades since the first East African refugees settled in St. Cloud, some community members are seeking a more active role in government and politics. But their political views are varied.
 Mayo Clinic Health System to end surgical, labor and delivery units in Fairmont
Surgeries, procedures and in-patient obstetric care, including the labor and delivery unit will permanently end on March 31, though deliveries have been on an extended diversion since August 2024.