Stories from October 31, 2024

Minneapolis cannabis regulations won't mandate buffer zone between dispensaries
Cannabis dispensaries won’t open in Minneapolis until 2025. However, the city took a significant regulatory step Thursday by adopting a set of zoning rules that will apply to cannabis sellers, manufacturers and other related businesses. 
Minneapolis city officials say there will be an independent review of the police handling of a case in which a man shot and wounded his neighbor last week. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Minnesota state trooper who shot and killed a motorist in July 2023.
Minneapolis city officials plan independent review of police handling of shooting case
Minneapolis city officials said Thursday there will be an independent review of the Minneapolis Police Department’s handling of a south Minneapolis shooting. The announcement came after City Council voted to request a review of the shooting of Davis Moturi on Oct. 23.
Help me find a sense of play at any age
There’s evidence that grown-ups are happier, healthier and more creative when we make time for play. But with responsibilities and expectations and worries, it’s hard to do so. For professional help, we reached out to someone whose job requires a lot of play.
In a sign of the times, Minnesota camp for kids with HIV is closing
Camp Heartland in Willow River served as a safe haven for more than 30 years for kids with HIV. But with mother-to-child transmission of HIV virtually eliminated in the U.S., the camp is closing its doors.
It's not just D.C.: Satirical Trump statues are appearing in cities across the U.S.
Trump statues appeared next to sculptures of nude women in Portland and Philadelphia. The plaques bear the title In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault and quote Trump's Access Hollywood remarks.
At Bebe Zito, they put the scream in ice cream for Halloween
On Halloween, we think of candy, of course. But that’s not the only sweet treat for the holiday. Ben Spangler and Gabriella Grant want you to scream for ice cream on Halloween. The owners of Bebe Zito are the masterminds behind the inventive ice cream flavors and otherworldly creations available at the shop’s four Twin Cities locations.
What is your favorite monster?
What’s your favorite monster? MPR News guest host Jacob Aloi and guests talk about some of the otherworldly creatures that span all cultures — from the Yōkai of Japan, and the bigfoots of North American forests to Cookie Monster and Count Chocula.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit filed against state trooper by family of Ricky Cobb II
A federal judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit against a Minnesota state trooper stemming from the fatal shooting of a man during an attempted traffic stop along a Twin Cities freeway last year.
Ping! Harris and Trump are blowing up your phones with political texts in campaign's last days
Across the U.S., people's phones are pinging with text messages from Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their allies. Both sides are working the texting pipeline aggressively in the presidential campaign's last days.
A federal grand jury has indicted 11 alleged members of the Minneapolis Lows gang for racketeering conspiracy. And with the election just a few days away, Minnesota's most-populous county is scrambling to remake a panel overseeing absentee ballots after a court ruling Tuesday.
Snowy Halloween with winter weather advisories in Minnesota
Winter weather advisories have been issued for Halloween with 2 to 4 inches of slushy accumulation expected alongside gusty north-northeast winds. Cooler temperatures are anticipated for trick-or-treating.
Snow falling across much of southern, central Minnesota for Halloween. What you need to know
It’s been a Halloween of frightful weather across much of Minnesota as rain changed over to accumulating snow — leading to dangerous driving conditions and widespread power outages.
Crowdsourced voting fraud claims could become grist for Republican lawsuits
One hub for rumors and conspiracies about voting is X, the social media site once known as Twitter. There, users are floating unverified and false claims about voting that can quickly go viral.
Harris and Trump will bring their closing arguments to 2 key Southwest swing states
With five days left until Election Day, the candidates are expected to make a pitch to Latino voters in Arizona and Nevada — and talk about border security, one of the biggest issues for the campaign.
Millions of low-cost homes are deteriorating, making the U.S. housing shortage worse
Older homes are the only ones many Americans can afford, but they are costly to fix and maintain, especially for seniors. A patchwork of programs to help are underfunded and have years-long waitlists.
With assurance and support, Native people with felony records head out to vote
A law allowing people with a felony on their record to vote offers people once disenfranchised from the process a chance to engage once more. In Minnesota, this is especially true for Native American voters.
After 38 years of consistency, Winona-area House district to gain new lawmaker after intense race
In politically-split Winona, two candidates are seeking to replace a longtime legislator. The outcome of the race could determine party control of the Minnesota House.