Government shutdown could affect food aid; MSP prepares for peak fall travel for MEA weekend

Local and state food aid providers warn that there won't be enough money to pay for food assistance benefits if the federal government shutdown continues into next month.And today is one of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport's busiest days of the fall... as the annual MEA break starts.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Gov. Tim Walz says Minnesota is starting to feel the impacts of the federal government shutdown. A northern Minnesota tribe is suing 3M over pollution from "forever chemicals."And wildland firefighting crews continue working to fully contain the Crosby Fire burning in a remote part of a state park on the North Shore.

Gov. Tim Walz pushed back on the Trump administration's tariffs and the economic setbacks they're causing for Minnesota farmers Tuesday. On a call with other Democratic leaders, Walz said China -- a top trade partner with Minnesota -- is not buying soybeans from the state. The Crosby Fire in Northeast Minnesota is now 85 percent contained.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. 

Families traveling for the annual MEA school break this week might see delays at airports around the country, with impacts from the federal government shutdown. Volunteers have been working to remove an invasive species from the Whitefish Chain of Lakes north of Brainerd.The Crosby Fire is 70 percent contained as of Monday morning. Rain overnight helped firefighting efforts.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. 

Crews continue working to contain a wildfire that’s now burned more than 200 acres in a state park along Minnesota’s North Shore.And University of Minnesota administrators say they're continuing talks with health care companies about possible partnerships with its medical school. Its current partnership with Fairview is set to expire in 2026.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.