Formerly incarcerated Minnesotans on having their right to vote restored
Until last year, people on probation or parole in Minnesota couldn’t vote. A new law that went into effect in June 2023 changed that, allowing people with felony records to vote as long as they aren’t incarcerated. For nearly 57,000 Minnesotans whose voting rights were restored under the law, the election on Nov. 5 is the first time they can vote for president since they were convicted. For some, like Landen Russette, Mario Jackson and Calvin Boswell, it’s their first time voting ever.
Stories by Allison Herrera and Nicole Ki, Video by Anne Guttridge with contributions from Kerem Yucel
Get the Tim Walz look this Halloween
'Twas the night before Halloween, and all through the Capitol halls
Three MPR News staffers did their best impressions of Tim Walz.
Inspired by Hope, they fit checked with care,
Approaching the camera without intention to scare.
When dressing for Halloween, it’s all about heart;
We hope you agree, these outfits are works of art.
Whether it’s football, a hunting jacket, or buffalo plaid,
These are outfits you can make at home, with your various doodads.
#ootd #fitcheck #timwalz
Video by Anne Guttridge
Minneapolis house puts on a gold-medal worthy Halloween display
Pamela Eklof of Minneapolis turned her yard (and her neighbor's yard) into a celebration of the best moments from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The scene in front of her yard depicts Si-"bone" Biles, "Spooky" Lee, Jordan "Chills", and Jade "Scary". She also included Olympic torch bearers, Stephen Nedoroscik's pommel horse performance, and the podium moment when Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles paid homage to Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade.
Video courtesy of Pamela Eklof.
Twin Cities Buddhist and Hindu temples have been hit by a national theft ring
Multiple Twin Cities area Hindu and Buddhist temples were burglarized earlier this year with total losses estimated to be well over $100,000.
The three temple members who spoke to MPR News said after the thefts, which happened May through July, they have increased security of their prayer spaces and priest quarters, but still feel they have to look over their shoulders.
The sprawling case has involved at least six law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions that have identified multiple suspects in the burglaries. As of early October, two men — 27-year-old Artur Crudu and 37-year-old Stefan Buzoianu of Brooklyn Park — were charged in connection to the temple burglaries in Blaine and Chaska.
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. Story by Nicole Ki, video by Nicole Ki and Anne Guttridge.
K-pop-style girl group KATSEYE talks about their first visit to Minnesota, Mall of America
Global girl group KATSEYE was in Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 19 for their first show. We asked them about what it was like to perform in front of about 8,000 people at the Mall of America and what they thought about Minnesota.
📹 by Nicole Ki
In the Midwest's first women's sports bar, fans love the Lynx despite Finals loss
During Game Four of the WNBA Finals, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt from A Bar Of Their Own, which is the first bar in Minnesota devoted exclusively to women’s sports.
For Game Five, Lynx fans packed the bar in Minneapolis to support the team even as they lost the series to the New York Liberty in overtime. While sad about the loss, fans were proud of how far the team came this season and grateful to share the moment together in the distinctive bar.
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. 📝 by Sam Stroozas + 📹 Anne Guttridge.
8,000 fans flock to Mall of America to see global K-pop-style girl group KATSEYE
Minnesota fans got in “touch” with KATSEYE on Saturday, Oct. 19 when the K-pop-style girl group performed at the Mall of America for the first time. Tickets sold out in minutes and many fans showed up hours before the performance to get a spot.
Almost 8,000 people came to watch the group, crowding the stage area and four floors trying to catch a glimpse.
Read more from the show: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/10/19/8000-fans-flock-mall-of-america-global-kpop-style-girl-group-katseye
📝 + 🎥 by Nicole Ki and Kyra Miles
Lynx Victory Dance
The Minnesota Lynx celebrated their Game 4 victory against the New York Liberty at home at Target Center in Minneapolis with the Electric Slide. While the origins of their postgame victory dance remain fuzzy, one thing is clear — it is not the dance that matters as much as it is the community the Lynx have created.
The Minnesota Lynx won Game 4 against New York Liberty 82-80. They play the Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday in New York City. The Lynx and the Liberty are tied in the best-of-five series 2-2.
📝 by Sam Stroozas, 📹 by Anne Guttridge
It can be difficult to find free, accurate information about candidates. The MPR News 2024 Voter Guides make it easy! Find information about Minnesota candidates for U.S. Congress, the state Legislature, county commissioner, school boards and more at mprnews.org/election. 🎥 by Anne Guttridge
It can be difficult to find free, accurate information about candidates. The MPR News 2024 Voter Guides make it easy! Find information about Minnesota candidates for U.S. Congress, the state Legislature, county commissioner, school boards and more at mprnews.org/election. Video by Anne Guttridge
More than 16,000 Minnesotans are in college for free this fall thanks to a new state program
The highly anticipated North Star Promise Program is in full effect this fall. It helps cover tuition and fees for Minnesota students with a family adjusted gross income under $80,000 who are studying at a public institution or tribal college in state. Scholarships can be applied for studies ranging from a certificate to a four-year degree.
Officials say more than 16,000 students have received North Star Promise scholarships in Minnesota this fall.
To hear from more Minnesotans on how the North Star program has impacted them, follow the link in our bio.
Story by Feven Gerezgiher, Video by Feven Gerezgiher and Anne Guttridge
Chef Gustavo Romero and his wife Kate Romero own a tortilleria in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota where they make heirloom tortillas with the Indigenous practice of nixtamalization, which makes corn more nutritious.
Through their tortillas and restaurant, Oro by Nixta, the pair are working to transform the way people think of corn — and Mexican food — in Minnesota. Despite only opening in 2023, Oro was nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Restaurant this year.
📝: Melissa Olson, 🎥: Anne Guttridge
About 100 people began their day at Thomas Beach at Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, Minnesota to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 14. The sunrise ceremony was hosted by Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors and led by LeMoine LaPointe.
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the historical and present-day contributions of Indigenous people. It is observed on the same day as Columbus Day and was made a state holiday in 2023, replacing Columbus Day.
Video captured by Ben Hovland and edited by Anne Guttridge
More than 1,000 gather at Minnesota synagogue to mark one year since Oct. 7 attack on Israel
The Twin Cities area Jewish community marked the anniversary of the attack on Israel with a somber service at a synagogue in Minnetonka, Minnesota, on Oct. 7.
At the Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, Rabbi Aaron Weininger said the deadliest day since the Holocaust changed Jewish life forever. “We are grieving and living. Our hearts are broken and beating. My heart is here, and my heart is also in Israel,” Weininger said.
The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants invaded Israel, killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 people, making it the deadliest attack in Israel's history. About 100 hostages have not been returned.
Israel's retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people and wounded more than 96,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and resulted in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.
Go to mprnews.org for the full story. 📝 by Matt Sepic + 📸 captured by Liam James Doyle and edited by Anne Guttridge.
Pro-Palestinian protesters march in Minneapolis to mark one year of Israel-Hamas war
More than 1,000 Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on Sunday, Oct. 6 ahead of the one-year mark of the deadly Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent invasion of Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants invaded Israel, killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 people, making it the deadliest attack in Israel's history. About 100 hostages have not been returned. Israel's retaliation in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 people and wounded more than 96,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and resulted in mass displacement and a humanitarian crisis.
Among the protesters in Minneapolis were Fatma Abumousa and her husband, Jehad Adwan. The couple lives in Blaine, Minnesota. During the protest, Abumousa held a picture frame displaying photos of 22 family members, including several of her nephews, who have been killed in Gaza.
Follow the link in our bio to read more.
Reporting Nicole Ki, Video: captured by Nicole Ki and edited by Anne Guttridge
