MPR News Update - MPR News 3a584q

An air quality alert is now in effect for all of Minnesota through Monday evening, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to stream across the state. That's an expansion of earlier alerts, as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says reinforcing waves of smoke are expected Saturday, Sunday and again on Monday. Listen for more on the MPR News afternoon update for Friday, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

State trooper pleads not guilty in fatal crash case

Layoff notices will begin going out tomorrow as lawmakers work on unfinished pieces of the state budget. And major wildfires burning north of Duluth for nearly three weeks are now nearly fully contained. But state officials expect the risk for more severe wildfires to remain, possibly all summer long. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ season is over. They were beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night 124-94. The Thunder jumped out to a 30 point lead in the first half and were never threatened. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points. OKC won the best-of-seven series 4 games to 1. They play next for an NBA championship. A federal judge in Fergus Falls sentenced two men Wednesday in a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of an Indian family on the Minnesota-Canada border. The family was trying to cross illegally from Canada in January 2022 when a blizzard hit and they froze to death. Harshkumar Patel, a native of India, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the smuggling ring. Steve Shand, a Florida resident, was sentenced to 6.5 years.  The Minnesota Frost celebrated another championship Wednesday night in St. Paul. It's the second year in a row the Professional Women's Hockey League team won the Walter Cup trophy. A Minneapolis gang member convicted at a trial last fall is headed to federal prison for life.

A wildfire burning in the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota is growing, leading authorities to close off a part of Superior National Forest land in the Horse River area. The Horse River fire is still relatively small, but it has more than doubled in size in recent days to nearly 25 acres, and it's burning completely uncontained. This is the evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

DOJ lawsuit, federal consent decree with Minneapolis Police Department dismissed

Firefighters are inching closer to fully containing two wildfires that have burned for more than two weeks in northern Minnesota. And funding for the school readiness program Head Start was spared in spending cuts the House ed, but some people who work with struggling families worry cuts could still come as the House bill is considered in the Senate. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A series of events gets underway today in Minneapolis to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the racial justice movement that it sparked. A moment of silence will be held this afternoon at the intersection of 38th and Chicago where Floyd was killed. The Minneapolis Park Board is closing some parking areas around Bde Maka Ska earlier in the evening. That change is in response to safety concerns stemming from large groups gathering in those parking lots at night. The Park Board said those groups have engaged in “disruptive, illegal, and sometimes violent conduct.” The Timberwolves lost to the Thunder last night in game two of the NBA’s Western Conference championship series 118-103. The Thunder now lead a best-of-seven series 2-0. The Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 last night to knot the PWHL’s Walter Cup finals at a game apiece. Britta Curl-Salemme scored both Frost goals.

Faith leaders gathered at Minneapolis City Hall today for an interfaith prayer, marking the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police. And Gov. Tim Walz defended a proposal today to roll back a tax exemption for data centers in the state. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

A series of events gets underway today in Minneapolis to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and the racial justice movement that it sparked. A moment of silence will be held this afternoon at the intersection of 38th and Chicago where Floyd was killed. The Minneapolis Park Board is closing some parking areas around Bde Maka Ska earlier in the evening. That change is in response to safety concerns stemming from large groups gathering in those parking lots at night. The Park Board said those groups have engaged in “disruptive, illegal, and sometimes violent conduct.” The Timberwolves lost to the Thunder last night in game two of the NBA’s Western Conference championship series 118-103. The Thunder now lead a best-of-seven series 2-0. The Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 last night to knot the PWHL’s Walter Cup finals at a game apiece. Britta Curl-Salemme scored both Frost goals.

An international student who’s been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since March was released under a judge’s order Thursday. Firefighting crews are now making quick progress on wildfires that have burned in northeastern Minnesota for nearly two weeks. And lawmakers are expecting to work through the Memorial Day weekend to finalize the bills needed to craft a two-year state budget.

Police reform advocates in Minneapolis are denouncing the Trump istration's attempt to drop the federal consent decree. And a working group on the human services budget bill at the Minnesota Legislature is meeting privately to iron out differences. As they do, advocates for disabled people in the state held a rally this morning to push against possible cuts for disability waivers. Those stories and more in today’s evening news update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota lawmakers continue budget work. Timberwolves, Frost both lose opening playoff series games

While much of the state budget will get sorted out in a special session, lawmakers ed a bill to fund several state government agencies last night. Heavy rains that have fallen in parts of the state today will ease drought and abnormally dry conditions. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota lawmakers will need special session to finish budget

Crews battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota have had to contend with windy conditions today. East winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour have been accompanied by gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. And meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that while a system will bring rain to the state today through Wednesday, it's expected to miss the region where fires are burning. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Lawmakers expected to work beyond Monday adjournment deadline

Gov. Tim Walz is promising residents in the fire ravaged areas in the northeastern part of the state will get help in rebuilding. Public sector unions are expressing frustration over a proposed plan to close the state prison in Stillwater. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

Health care coverage for undocumented immigrants faces cuts

Minnesota legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz say they have a budget deal. Leaders say the negotiations brought a bipartisan plan that balances the budget into the future. And the University of Minnesota will close a research center focusing on racial health disparities following a plagiarism scandal. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.