Minnesota Today

Crews battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/19/minnesota-wildfires-munger-shaw-jenkins-creek-camp-house-fires] 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.

Gov. Tim Walz is promising residents in the fire ravaged areas in the northeastern part of the state [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/16/property-owners-yearn-to-get-back-in-their-homes-after-wildfires] will get help in rebuilding. Public sector unions are expressing frustration over a proposed plan to close the state prison in Stillwater [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/15/minnesota-department-corrections-phased-closure-stillwater-prison]. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Bright. Music by Gary Meister.

Minnesota legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz say they have a budget deal [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/15/minnesota-budget-deal-could-come-soon]. 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.

Two large wildfires burning uncontrolled [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/14/fires-continue-in-northeastern-minnesota-federal-help-on-the-way] in northeastern Minnesota grew significantly overnight. The Jenkins Creek fire more than doubled in size and has now burned more than 20,000 acres of forest, or about 31 square miles. It's burning north in a long, narrow band east of Hoyt Lakes and south of Babbitt. Meanwhile the Camp House Fire grew modestly to about 15,000 acres. That fire near Brimson has destroyed at least 144 structures. That story and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.

It’s another hot, dry, breezy day across the region -- creating more challenges for crews battling wildfires in northeast Minnesota [https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/05/13/wildfires-in-minnesota-camp-house-jenkins-creek-munger-shaw]. More than 40 homes and cabins have been destroyed by the fast-moving wildfires. Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Kelly Bleyer. Music by Gary Meister.