Stories from October 16, 2024

Ag leaders voice concerns over negative impacts of tariffs proposed in presidential election
Midwestern agricultural leaders say they are concerned new tariffs being suggested by former President Donald Trump as part of his reelection bid could result in a damaging trade war. They say it could cost the corn and soybeans billions of dollars.
PUC orders Xcel Energy to refund customers for 2011 Sherco outage costs
A major mechanical failure at the Sherco coal-fired power plant caused a fire and extensive damage in 2011. An administrative law judge recently found that Xcel’s failure to prudently operate and maintain Unit 3 contributed to the accident.
A substitute teacher has been banned from South Washington County Schools after reportedly using a student to re-enact the police actions that led to the murder of George Floyd. The district says the teacher also shared explicit details from his work as a police officer in a series of incidents on Monday. Also, the Lynx will try to break a series tie in Minneapolis in Game 3 of the WNBA finals against the New York Liberty.
Judge warns ex-Feeding Our Future boss to follow release rules
The lead defendant in the Feeding Our Future case was back in court Wednesday to answer allegations that she violated her pretrial release conditions. On Oct. 1, a probation officer spotted an unauthorized $186,000 federal student loan on Bock’s credit report. A prosecutor called it a “technical violation” and did not request detention.
Moriarty seeks inmate's release in first use of Minnesota sentencing adjustment law
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is petitioning for the release of Jerome Nunn, who was sentenced to life in prison for murder in 1996. It’s the first use of a new state law allowing prosecutors to petition for sentence reviews aimed at shortening sentences for good behavior and readiness to return to society.
Elon Musk has given $75 million, so far, to put Donald Trump back in the White House
Elon Musk is among the largest financial supporters of Donald Trump's reelection efforts, new FEC filings show. He and two other megadonors collectively gave $300 million to support Trump.
The 3rd Precinct keeps showing up in the GOP playbook. Minneapolis wants to turn the page
Speaking outside the former 3rd Precinct in Minneapolis this week, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance criticized Gov. Tim Walz for his response to civil unrest in 2020, painting a picture of a burned-down city with rampant crime. He isn’t the first politician to do so this campaign season. Many nearby residents and business owners who have worked to rebuild hope he’s the last.
Trump would be the oldest person to become president. He’s not sharing health details
If he wins next month’s election, Donald Trump would be the oldest person in U.S. history elected president. Yet the 78-year-old Republican nominee is refusing to disclose new details about his physical or mental well-being, breaking decades of precedent.
Minnesota Republican Party sues Hennepin County over election judges list
A state law requires each county in Minnesota select election judges from lists provided by the Republican and Democratic parties. A lawsuit claims Hennepin County violated state statute by not selecting judges from a GOP list.
Canceling subscriptions has to be as easy as signing up, FTC says in a new rule
The "click-to-cancel" rule, now finalized by the Federal Trade Commission, aims to make it easier to cancel subscriptions and memberships. Companies argue the agency overstepped its authority.
In a heated meeting Tuesday, Minneapolis city council members discussed the future of the former 3rd Precinct police building. And a postal worker is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a supervisor at a St. Paul post office.
Minnesota district bans substitute teacher for reenacting George Floyd's murder in class
The reenactment of Floyd’s murder during a Woodbury High School class on Monday included the substitute putting “a student on the ground in front of the class” and other “reprehensible” behavior, school and district officials said.
Minneapolis city leaders still at odds over future of abandoned police station
Minneapolis city leaders remain at odds over the future of the former 3rd Precinct building that was burned more than four years ago in the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. 
Archaeologists discover 12 skeletons at a buried tomb in Petra, Jordan
The Treasury in Petra, Jordan, is a famous tourist site and features in an Indiana Jones movie. Now archaeologists say they've found a remarkable 12 complete skeletons in a hidden tomb beneath it.
These students are in college for free under new program for lower-income Minnesotans
The North Star Promise Program went into effect this fall and the first students are going to college completely cost-free under it. We talked with seven Minnesotans about how it’s changed their life.
I don’t speak Spanish. I asked my dad, am I Latina enough? 
Many biracial people and children of immigrants deal with complicated feelings around cultural identity. That includes MPR News senior producer Jessica Bari, who decided it was time to talk with her father, a native of Puerto Rico.
Small business disaster loan program is out of money until new funds are approved
The SBA’s disaster loan program has run out of money, it announced on Tuesday. The agency expects to receive new funding from Congress, and will continue to accept applications in the meantime.
Harris is pressed on the concerns of Black voters in Charlamagne tha God town hall
Harris’ town hall with the influential radio host came at a crucial moment in the campaign, as polls show her struggling to cement the level of support she may need from Black men to win the White House.