Drought deepens; Murder charges in alleged carjacking

A federal grand jury has indicted 11 alleged members of the Minneapolis Lows gang for racketeering conspiracy. The Minneapolis City Council is voting Thursday on a couple of high profile issues. One sets zoning regulations that will apply to cannabis businesses. The regulations include a 300-foot buffer between cannabis dispensaries and K-12 schools. The other is a resolution urging Hennepin County to close its solid waste incinerator by the end of 2027.And with the election just a few days away, Minnesota's most-populous county, Hennepin County, is scrambling to remake a panel overseeing absentee ballots after a court ruling Tuesday.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Grand jury indicts 11 alleged Lows members amid federal gang crackdownKey Minnesota county ordered by court to reset board that will review absentee ballotsRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has sided with a conservative voters group and the state Republican Party in a case tied to the makeup of a Hennepin County board that will review absentee ballots. In other news, there’s a winter weather advisory. Several inches of slushy snow are possible on Halloween day Thursday, near Hinckley and Moose Lake and northeast toward Two Harbors.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican in the state's sprawling 8th Congressional District, squared off in debate against his DFL challenger, Jen Schultz, on Tuesday night.Authorities say the man shot Monday night by St. Paul Police was a suspect in fatal shootings in Minneapolis.And a historically-significant home in Fergus Falls — faced with forfeiture to Otter Tail County because of an unpaid assessment bill — has been saved by an unknown donor. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.St. Paul police shoot, critically injure man suspected in Minneapolis homicidesPreserving a legacy: Nonprofit raises money to save home of first Black Fergus Falls residentRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Authorities announced today that the man shot by St. Paul police last night is a suspect in two shootings in Minneapolis, including one that left two people dead at a homeless encampment. And amid criticism of his department’s handling of the case, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says there will be a post-incident review of events leading up to last week’s shooting of Davis Moturi. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A man is in critical condition after being shot in a confrontation with St. Paul police. According to a press release, officers were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street Monday night on a report of shots fired, and a man with a gun was located near Snelling and Charles Avenues. Police say they attempted to get the man to drop the weapon, but when he pointed it a police, officers fired their service weapons.Work continues to reopen Highway 13 in Mendota Heights. It’s been closed for nearly five months due to a falling hillside.And Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is promising to find out why officers did not arrest a man who had a history of making violent threats until after he allegedly shot and wounded a neighbor. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.St. Paul police shoot, critically injure man at corner of University and SnellingEnd is near for monthslong closure of Twin Cities highwayO’Hara promises review of MPD’s actions ahead of Grand Avenue shootingRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

A northern Minnesota woman is facing felony charges for allegedly forging signatures on material for two absentee ballots. And Minneapolis city officials are urging Hennepin County to close its solid waste incinerator by the end of 2027. That timetable is faster than the one adopted by the county, which resolved to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center — also known as HERC — sometime between 2028 and 2040. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Two people are dead and one person is in critical condition after a shooting at a Minneapolis homeless encampment Sunday. It followed violence at an encampment nearby on Saturday that left one man dead and two people critically injured. And it's one week and one day until the election. On Sunday, DFL Senator Amy Klobuchar and her Republican challenger Royce White met in a debate.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.1 man dead, 2 others injured after shooting at a Minneapolis encampmentAnother shooting at a Minneapolis homeless encampment; 2 dead, 1 injuredAmy Klobuchar and Royce White face off in U.S. Senate debateRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

President Joe Biden apologized today for abuses suffered by children at Native American boarding schools.And a St. Paul man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide for allegedly causing a chain-reaction crash that left one person dead and 10 injured on Wednesday night. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Police investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy in Minneapolis earlier this week say the child apparently shot himself. Investigators recovered a 9 mm handgun with a round in the chamber. So far no one has been charged.Minnesota Republicans want more eyes on absentee ballots cast in the state after GOP officials raised concerns about ballot security following an incident in Edina last week. A photo surfaced of a vehicle with its trunk open and ballots unattended. Hennepin County election administrators say there were no ballots tampered with and a courier was fired. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. 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.

Drought conditions continue to expand and deepen across Minnesota heading into the final days of October.And a man who allegedly went on a violent rampage in Minneapolis and Kandiyohi County earlier this week has been charged with several felonies.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.