Minnesota reaches settlement over underage workers at Smithfield Foods

A meatpacking company will pay a $2 million penalty, after reaching a settlement with the state of Minnesota over alleged child labor violations. The state says it found that Smithfield Foods illegally employed 11 teenagers, some as young as 14, at its plant in St. James between 2021 and 2023. Also, Lindsey Vonn says she’s ready to compete again. This is the evening MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister

Scott County elections officials set Thursday, Nov. 21, as the day ballots will be recounted by hand in the race for House District 54A in Scott County. The county's canvassing board certified the vote count Wednesday which gives Democratic incumbent Rep. Brad Tabke a 14-vote margin of victory over his Republican challenger Aaron Paul.And people in Minnesota can now apply to a state health care program regardless of citizenship or immigration status.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.GOP Minnesota House candidates say they’ll ‘fight to make sure every ballot is counted’MinnesotaCare applications now open to Minnesotans regardless of immigration statusRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Emailed bomb threats have been coming into county election offices across the state since last Friday.And President-elect Donald Trump announced Army veteran, Fox News host and Minnesota native Pete Hegseth as his pick to be defense secretary.Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated a Minnesota native to serve as his defense secretary. 44-year-old Pete Hegseth grew up in Forest Lake. He's an Army veteran who ran against U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2012. Hegseth is now a co-host of "Fox and Friends Weekend" on the Fox News Channel.And a federal judge recently struck down a Biden administration policy that could impact thousands of Minnesota families with mixed citizenship status.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Alex Simpson. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.Trump nominates Fox News host and Minnesotan Pete Hegseth for defense secretaryJudge strikes down Biden program shielding immigrant spouses from deportationRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says he'll sue if President-elect Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress try to circumvent Minnesota law. And St. Paul officials will erase the medical debt of 32,000 people. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minneapolis City Council will listen to public input Tuesday afternoon about the shooting of Davis Moturi. Moturi, who is Black, was allegedly shot last month by John Sawchuck, a white neighbor who previously threatened Moturi. City leaders say an independent investigation is forthcoming that will focus on why police didn't intervene before the shooting occurred.And President-elect Donald Trump's victory last week could help ease the path for copper-nickel mines near the Boundary Waters.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Alex Simpson. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.Trump election could reopen path for mining near Boundary WatersMinneapolis city officials plan independent review of police handling of shooting caseRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

It is Veterans Day, and at ceremony in Arden Hills today Gov. Tim Walz thanked veterans and the people who care for them.And Sherburne County says it plans to pay for a hand recount in a few close races to confirm the accuracy of last week's election results.Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.

Veterans Day observances are taking place Monday across Minnesota to thank and honor all veterans for their service to the country.And the Minneapolis City Council will hear a proposal this week for reconstruction of the intersection where George Floyd was killed.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Alex Simpson. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.In Warren, a different kind of veterans memorial draws people nearNative American veterans reflect on military service and family tiesRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

A narrow winning margin for the DFL candidate for a St. Cloud-area seat in the Minnesota House has widened, now that updated figures were released today. And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gave his first public speech after being part of the losing Democratic presidential ticket this week. Those stories and more in tonight’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Duluth police say five people were found dead Thursday in an apparent murder-suicide at two homes in the city. Officers made a welfare check just after 2 p.m. and found a 47-year-old woman and a child dead from gunshot wounds. Police say they identified a suspect and went to his home about a mile away. Inside they found a 45-year-old woman and another child who also fatally shot. The suspect, a 46-year-old man, was also found dead. And after a three-week trial, a Mankato jury has found Adam Fravel guilty on all four charges for the 2023 murder of Madeline Kingsbury. Kingsbury was the mother of Fravel's children. David Kingsbury, Madeline's father, says justice has been served — but it won't bring his daughter back.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.Five people, including two children, found dead at two homes in DuluthAdam Fravel found guilty on all charges in Kingsbury murderRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.