Minnesota prepares for Election Day. New protections for election workers in place

More than one million Minnesotans have already cast their ballots for the 2024 election. The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office reports more than 1,170,000 voters have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. And Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is taking his final campaign blitz on the road to two battleground states today: Wisconsin and Michigan.Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Tuesday is Election Day. A new law in Minnesota is meant to protect poll workers from harassment. The measure prohibits threatening and intimidating anyone involved in administering elections. A handful of federal election monitors will be observing voting at Twin Cities polling places Tuesday.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Minnesota campaigns, volunteers make their final play for votes as clock ticks downMinnesota law bans harassment, intimidation of election workersRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Nearly a million Minnesotans have already cast their ballots in the presidential election. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said at this point Minnesotans voting via absentee ballot should not risk putting the ballot in the mail. Also on the ballot is a measure to renew a constitutional amendment that sets aside 40 percent of lottery proceeds for conservation projects.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota election officials have accepted almost 920,000 absentee ballots ahead of Election Day. The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday passed a resolution supporting the closure of the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center trash incinerator by the end of 2027.And today marks the start of National Native American Heritage Month which celebrates Native history, culture and the contributions of Native communities.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Minneapolis city officials say there will be an independent review of the police handling of a case in which a man shot and wounded his neighbor last week.A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Minnesota state trooper who shot and killed a motorist in July 2023. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A federal grand jury has indicted 11 alleged members of the Minneapolis Lows gang for racketeering conspiracy. The Minneapolis City Council is voting Thursday on a couple of high profile issues. One sets zoning regulations that will apply to cannabis businesses. The regulations include a 300-foot buffer between cannabis dispensaries and K-12 schools. The other is a resolution urging Hennepin County to close its solid waste incinerator by the end of 2027.And with the election just a few days away, Minnesota's most-populous county, Hennepin County, is scrambling to remake a panel overseeing absentee ballots after a court ruling Tuesday.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.Grand jury indicts 11 alleged Lows members amid federal gang crackdownKey Minnesota county ordered by court to reset board that will review absentee ballotsRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has sided with a conservative voters group and the state Republican Party in a case tied to the makeup of a Hennepin County board that will review absentee ballots. In other news, there’s a winter weather advisory. Several inches of slushy snow are possible on Halloween day Thursday, near Hinckley and Moose Lake and northeast toward Two Harbors.This is the afternoon MPR News update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican in the state's sprawling 8th Congressional District, squared off in debate against his DFL challenger, Jen Schultz, on Tuesday night.Authorities say the man shot Monday night by St. Paul Police was a suspect in fatal shootings in Minneapolis.And a historically-significant home in Fergus Falls — faced with forfeiture to Otter Tail County because of an unpaid assessment bill — has been saved by an unknown donor. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.St. Paul police shoot, critically injure man suspected in Minneapolis homicidesPreserving a legacy: Nonprofit raises money to save home of first Black Fergus Falls residentRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.

Authorities announced today that the man shot by St. Paul police last night is a suspect in two shootings in Minneapolis, including one that left two people dead at a homeless encampment. And amid criticism of his department’s handling of the case, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says there will be a post-incident review of events leading up to last week’s shooting of Davis Moturi. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A man is in critical condition after being shot in a confrontation with St. Paul police. According to a press release, officers were called to the 400 block of Pierce Street Monday night on a report of shots fired, and a man with a gun was located near Snelling and Charles Avenues. Police say they attempted to get the man to drop the weapon, but when he pointed it a police, officers fired their service weapons.Work continues to reopen Highway 13 in Mendota Heights. It’s been closed for nearly five months due to a falling hillside.And Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is promising to find out why officers did not arrest a man who had a history of making violent threats until after he allegedly shot and wounded a neighbor. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.Find these headlines and more at Mprnews.org.St. Paul police shoot, critically injure man at corner of University and SnellingEnd is near for monthslong closure of Twin Cities highwayO’Hara promises review of MPD’s actions ahead of Grand Avenue shootingRead the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or RSS.