Missing toddler found dead; Presidential election poll finds close race in Minnesota

Gov. Tim Walz says he accepts responsibility after a report says his administration failed to stop what federal prosecutors call the biggest pandemic fraud case in the nation. And flood and severe storm watches are posted across Minnesota for Tuesday. Storms continue to knock down trees and power lines. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines at Mprnews.org.Gov. Walz responds to audit critical of administration’s handling of Feeding Our Future fraudStrong storms knock out power to thousands across Minnesota; rivers on the riseRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Family and friends of fallen Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell gathered for his funeral today in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. And Gov. Tim Walz says he accepts responsibility after a report says his administration failed to stop what federal prosecutors call the biggest pandemic fraud case in the nation. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

We're already soggy. And this week is about to get soggier with more rain. Flood watches are posted and severe storms with heavy rain are adding to our already-saturated ground.A 22-year-old inmate at the Stillwater prison died Saturday after being found unresponsive in his cell. Investigators are exploring a possible connection to synthetic drugs.And attorneys are asking a judge to delay the second Feeding Our Future trial amid an investigation into jury tampering at the first one. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines at mprnews.org.Minnesota corrections officials investigate inmate death, possibly drug-relatedSevere thunderstorm watch through 10 a.m. for southern MinnesotaExpert: Prosecutors may litigate Feeding Our Future fraud case like mob schemeRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved a resolution focused on outreach to Native American communities, after acknowledging the church's role in boarding schools. A draft also apologized to Indigenous Catholics. The church operated at least 80 of more than 500 government-funded boarding schools that separated children from their families and suppressed Indigenous cultures.Also, University of Minnesota students will pay more in tuition next school year as part of a budget approved by the Board of Regents Thursday.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Bright. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Several tornadoes touched down in the Brainerd Lakes region during severe thunderstorms on Wednesday, but meteorologists are still working to figure out the rating and exact path of each twister. And the family of a bystander killed during a high speed police chase in 2021 is suing the city of Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Department of Education failed to investigate at least 30 complaints related to Feeding Our Future from 2018 to 2021. That's among the findings in a Thursday report from the state's Legislative Auditor.Federal charges were filed against dozens of people connected to the now defunct Twin Cities nonprofit. Prosecutors allege they siphoned $250 million away from programs designed to feed children during the pandemic.Also, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after Minneapolis police fatally shot a man Wednesday. This is the afternoon update from MPR News, hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Severe thunderstorms battered much of northern and central Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and evening, knocking out power to thousands of homes. At least four preliminary tornado reports came into National Weather Service offices, including one near Camp Ripley and two near Mille Lacs Lake. And overnight, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension responded to a use-of-force incident in Minneapolis. Police Chief Brian O'Hara told local news outlets an armed man died in the Longfellow neighborhood after being shot by police.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Gracie Stockton. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines at mprnews.org.Tornadoes, wind and hail damage reported across much of MinnesotaMan fatally shot by police in south MinneapolisRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

A state Senate Ethics Committee deferred action today on a complaint against a DFL senator charged with burglary.And federal agents this morning raided the home of a second Feeding Our Future defendant amid an investigation into the attempted bribery of a juror.Those stories and more in today’s evening news update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesotans are divided over Israel’s military action in Gaza following the October Hamas attack in Israel, but the U.S. response to what's happening there doesn’t appear to be a deciding factor for the upcoming presidential election. And the search for a new director of the University of Minnesota's Holocaust Studies center is on hold after the U offered the job to a controversial Israeli historian.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines at mprnews.org.Minnesota poll: Voters split on U.S. support of Israel’s war with Hamas, but it’s not a top issueU of M halts search for Holocaust center director after pick prompts criticismRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Thousands attended a memorial service for fallen Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell today. Mitchell joined the department in 2022, after the murder of George Floyd and while Mitchell was in his mid-30s, telling city officials he wished to be the change he wanted to see in policing.And the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found that the Department of Labor and Industry did not comply with state requirements for paying frontline workers during the pandemic. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jeff Jones. Music by Gary Meister.