Minnesota state program fraud allegations; Using campaign funds for security

Federal prosecutors announced charges today against eight people for allegedly defrauding a state Medicaid program. And the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board gave political candidates more leeway when using campaign funds for security.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Federal prosecutors announced charges Thursday against eight people for allegedly defrauding a state Medicaid program. Defendants are charged with stealing a total of around $10 million from Minnesota’s housing stabilization services program, which started in 2020, and was meant to help people with disabilities secure housing.Also, St. Paul’s library system and rec centers have restored internet service after a cyberattack caused an outage.This is the evening MPR News update hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

State troopers are patrolling in Minneapolis this week following two shootings along Lake Street on Monday that injured 12 people.Republican and Democratic senators clashed over how to respond to gun violence during a working group at the Capitol today.And leaders of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services say they’ve ended grant payments from a housing stabilization program to a hundred and fifteen service providers, which they believe were making fraudulent claims.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Gov. Tim Walz announced today that he'll run for third term in 2026. Police are investigating a shooting that injured eight people at an encampment in south Minneapolis last night.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis police say five men were struck by gunfire today near the intersection of Lake Street and Stevens Avenue on the city's south side. Police chief Brian O'Hara says one man suffered serious injuries. Parents of Annunciation Catholic Church and School students told Minnesota lawmakers about the horror they and their children felt during a mass shooting that killed two and injured many more.Xcel Energy customers have a chance this week to weigh in on a proposed rate hike, including at a meeting tonight in Stillwater.This is an MPR News Evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music is by Gary Meister.  Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS. 

Prosecutors say a Twin Cities man charged earlier this week with threatening to kill a federal judge also threatened a U.S. Supreme Court justice and a defense attorney. Robert Ivers, 72, went to prison in 2019 after a jury convicted him of threatening to kill Judge Wilhelmina Wright, now retired, after she ruled against him in a civil suit.Also, organizers of Farm Aid say they won’t cross a picket line at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium until there’s a resolution in the strike by custodial, food service and maintenance staff. U officials say they want the strike to stop so the benefit concert can go on next weekend.This is the evening MPR News update, hosted by Gracie Stockton. Theme music is by Gary Meister.