Stories from October 15, 2024

Hennepin County achieves 'functional zero' status in ending veteran homelessness 
The designation from several federal agencies indicates a community has brought down the number of veterans experiencing homelessness to a very low level and continues to sustain the effort.
Israel threatens to starve out northern Gaza, U.N. aid agencies say
Israel has allowed almost no food aid into north Gaza for two weeks. Humanitarian groups say it leaves 400,000 people with the choice of eventual starvation or fleeing their homes to the south.
The first defendant sentenced in the Feeding Our Future case is headed to federal prison for 12 years. Mohamed Ismail was one of five people convicted of defrauding government child nutrition programs during COVID. And former president Donald Trump's campaign hasn't yet reimbursed the city of St. Cloud more than $200,000 in expenses related to a July rally.
St. Paul police chief addresses violence resulting in three deaths over four days
Three people have died over the last four days in St. Paul, according to police chief Axel Henry. There are charges in two of the incidents, but Henry says they are still investigating the others.
Trump uses interview on economics to promote tariffs and riff on his favorite themes
Donald Trump has seized on an opening to sound his frequent argument that imposing huge tariffs on foreign goods would amount to an economic elixir — one he claims would raise enormous sums for the government, protect U.S. firms from overseas competition and prod foreign companies to open factories in the United States. 
First Feeding Our Future defendant sentenced gets 12 years
A federal judge Tuesday handed a 12-year prison term to the first defendant in the Feeding Our Future case to be sentenced. Mohamed Jama Ismail, the former co-owner of Empire Cuisine & Market in Shakopee, is one of five people convicted in June of stealing tens of millions of dollars from taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs.
‘My losses started the day I was born’: A poet on what it’s like to call Gaza home
Mosab Abu Toha was able to escape Gaza, along with his wife and three young children. The award-winning poet talks about parenting in war and the devastation of leaving his family and friends behind.
U.S. woman wins conkers world title, as men's champ faces metal nut cheating charges
An autumn tournament for conkers, a traditional English game, has drawn people to a country pub for years. But now a scandal — or conkerversy — is brewing after an accusation of cheating.
ABBA's Benny Andersson on reprise of his Minnesota-set musical 'Kristina'
In 1995, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA wrote a musical called “Kristina.” It tells the story of Swedes who found their way to Minnesota territory in the mid-18th century. VocalEssence will open its 56th season with a concert performance of “Kristina” on Oct. 26.
Fairview’s new partner in mental health is facing investigation for holding patients against their will
Acadia Healthcare is under scrutiny after New York Times reporters discovered a pattern of holding patients against their will – even when it was not medically necessary for them to be there.
 Power Pair: Two violas, two orchestras and one marriage  
Meet a power pair with a harmonious relationship. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with married couple Maiya Papach, principal violist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Rebecca Albers, principal violist of the Minnesota Orchestra.    
Walz to announce rural policy plans on vice presidential campaign trail
Tuesday afternoon Gov. Tim Walz will reveal Vice President Kamala Harris’s plan for rural voters during a stop in rural Pennsylvania. The plan has a large emphasis on rural health care, which includes loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses, expanding rural telehealth services and expanding ambulance services.
Minnesota city says Trump campaign still owes more than $200,000 for July rally
Local officials say former President Donald Trump’s campaign still owes a central Minnesota city nearly $209,000 for services related to a July campaign rally. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that the bill is for services beyond what St. Cloud normally provides. 
Teen dies after being run over by wagon at haunted hayride in central Minnesota
A teenage boy died Saturday after being run over by a wagon at a central Minnesota haunted hayride. Organizers of the Harvest of Horror Haunted Hayride in St. Augusta have canceled the event for the rest of the season.
Walz to unveil Harris' plan for rural voters as campaign looks to cut into Trump's edge
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will unveil his ticket’s plans to improve the lives of rural voters as Vice President Kamala Harris looks to cut into former President Donald Trump’s support.
Two close St. Cloud-area races could help determine which party is in charge of the Minnesota Legislature. And Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, who was in Minnesota Monday to attend a private fundraiser, made an appearance outside the former 3rd Precinct police station in Minneapolis. Gov. Tim Walz is in Pennsylvania Tuesday as the Democratic vice presidential nominee takes a sharper tone on the campaign trail. 
2 charged after Twin Cities Buddhist, Hindu temples hit by national theft ring
Religious leaders at St. Louis Park’s Wat Promwachirayan Thai temple, Maple Grove’s Hindu Temple of Minnesota and Chaska’s Sri SaiBaba Mandir Hindu temple are still recovering from losing an estimated $100,000 this year.
In divided St. Cloud, challengers hope to flip House seats
While many legislative districts in Minnesota are either solidly Republican or DFL, in the St. Cloud, voters are evenly split. Races for the two House seats that represent the region are among the most competitive in the state. 
Canada expels India's top diplomat and alleges wider diplomatic involvement in crimes
Canada expelled India’s top diplomat in the country and five others over last year's killing of a Sikh activist in British Columbia. India rejected the charges and said it would expel Canadian envoys.
Harris brings a bit of Trump into her rally to try to show him as ‘unhinged’
Vice President Kamala Harris wants voters to pay more attention when Trump talks about “the enemy within.” On Monday, she played a highlight reel to paint him as “increasingly unstable and unhinged.”