Rideshare app Wridz launches; Legislative update

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.

Thousands of police officers from across the state are attending a memorial service for Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell Tuesday.Minneapolis chef Christina Nguyen has won the James Beard award for Best Chef of the Midwest. She serves southeast Asian street food at Hai Hai in Minneapolis. And a majority of voters surveyed for a new MPR News, Star Tribune, KARE-11 Minnesota Poll say the major party candidates for president this year are too old to hold office.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Thousands expected to pay respects to officer Mitchell during memorial service, processionMinnesota Poll: Felony conviction should disqualify presidential candidates, most sayHai Hai and Hola Arepa’s Christina Nguyen wins Best Chef of the Midwest at James Beard AwardsRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

A 4-year-old reported missing Sunday was found dead in Minnehaha Creek this morning after having apparently drowned. And an MPR News, KARE-11, Star Tribune Minnesota poll shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in a close race in the state. According to the poll conducted last week, Biden had support from 44.5 percent support compared to Trump's 40.6. That's considered a dead heat given the poll's margin of sampling error.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A new MPR News, Star Tribune, KARE-11 Minnesota Poll shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in a close race in the state — five months before the election. And a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “Kids Count Data Book” finds Minnesota is holding steady in its ranking as fifth in the nation for child well-being. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.New Minnesota poll has Biden with narrow edge over Trump as both remain unpopularRead the latest edition of the AM Update newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

A federal jury in Minneapolis today returned guilty verdicts against five of the seven defendants in the Feeding Our Future trial. And the man accused of killing a Minneapolis police officer last week was barred from having a gun. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.