Why people are talking about biochar. Good chance for northern lights this weekend

A substance called biochar, which is made by cooking wood waste or other biomass at high temperatures without oxygen is getting a lot of attention in Minnesota. The resulting charcoal can store carbon dioxide for centuries. And forecasters say a strong geomagnetic storm means there's a chance to see the northern lights this weekend.This is an MPR News afternoon update, hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Dozens of lineworkers from Minnesota utilities are on their way to the Southeast U.S. to help restore power in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association says 18 power cooperatives across the state are sending a total of 80 workers to the region for one to two weeks — and possibly longer. They will be working to repair outages for three co-ops in South Carolina. One of those co-ops reported 98 percent of its system down following the high winds and flooding. Xcel Energy says it has sent more than 100 employees from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and other states to help in the Southeast.And the WNBA semifinals series between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun continues tonight in Connecticut. So far, the series is even with the Lynx losing one of their two games at home in Minneapolis.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Minnesota first responders, volunteers head south to aid in Hurricane Helene cleanupNapheesa Collier’s sticky defense and all-around play propelling Lynx playoff hopesRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minnesota National Guard is sending two St. Cloud-based Chinook helicopters and 11 Guard members to the flood-ravaged Southeast. They are expected to arrive in North Carolina Friday and stay at least a week providing emergency aid.And the Minneapolis City Council signed off Wednesday on the proposed route of a light rail line through a section of the city’s north side. However, some council members still have concerns about parts of the 13-mile Blue Line extension — between downtown and Brooklyn Park. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Minneapolis grants consent for Blue Line extension through city’s north sideRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Weather conditions and a very dry landscape will create an elevated risk of wildfires this afternoon and evening across much of Minnesota, especially in the southwest.And the Minneapolis City Council is launching an inquiry into the mayor's financial reporting, after a dispute over funding for a homeless shelter.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz squared off in a debate last night with Ohio Sen. JD Vance. We hear from Minnesotans from both political camps who watched the debates. And another person charged with allegedly stealing money from federal child nutrition programs has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.What to know on claims made about Minnesota, Walz in VP debate against VanceEagan woman latest to plead guilty in federal Feeding Our Future fraud caseRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance are in New York preparing for their first — and likely only — debate tonight. The U.S. 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.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

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 on MPR News. Prosecutors have filed more charges against a man suspected in a daylong shooting spree near Minneapolis homeless encampments. And Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont has announced it will end surgical procedures, and inpatient obstetric care including labor and delivery, at the end of March.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Walz, Vance face pivotal moment as they meet for vice presidential debateMayo Clinic Health System to end surgical, labor and delivery units in FairmontAs debate rages over coverage, rural Minnesotans face challenges getting fertility careRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance meet Tuesday night in a high-stakes debate in New York. It's the biggest stage yet for the running mates of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.The White Earth Nation welcomed two boys home on Sunday more than a century after their deaths at a boarding school in central Minnesota.And the Minnesota Lynx lost Sunday night 73-70 to the Connecticut Sun in the first game of the WNBA semifinals.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Tim Walz’s experience in China could help him as veep, but he barely mentions it as a candidateChildren who died at a boarding school in the 1800s return to the White Earth NationConnecticut Sun win 73-70 over Minnesota Lynx in first semi-finals gameRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Saint Paul police say its officers were involved in a fatal shooting this morning in Belle Plaine, southwest of the Twin Cities.And a parent alleging abuse against her child on a Minneapolis public school bus says she has been granted a restraining order against a district employee.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

St. Paul Police say a woman who was shot and killed in an alley Wednesday evening in the Lowertown neighborhood was the victim of random violence. The suspected shooter died Thursday in a confrontation with officers.And an anonymous donor has agreed to match a $1.5 million grant to save Agate Housing and Services in downtown Minneapolis, which was set to close Oct. 9. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Police fatally shoot suspect in ‘cold-blooded’ killing of artist in St. Paul’s LowertownAnonymous donor matches city grant to save Minneapolis shelter from closureRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.