University of Minnesota

Parts of Minnesota campus evacuated after reported explosion

June 30, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities evacuated a portion of the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis on Thursday after responding to reports of a fire and possible explosion.

Psychiatrists are highest paid Minnesota state employees

June 13, 2022 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s highest-paid state government employees are psychiatrists.

State payroll data shows that two state-employed psychiatrists each earned more than $500,000 in 2021.

Missing Minnesota student found dead in Mississippi River

June 8, 2022 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A missing University of Minnesota student has been found dead in the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

The Pioneer Press reported Tuesday that 21-year-old Abdirihman Abdifatah Ali of Prior Lake was last seen June 1 on the U of M’s West Bank.

Failed search for UMD chancellor cost $166,000

May 27, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The $166,000 search for a new University of Minnesota-Duluth chancellor has come up empty.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced on Monday that none of the three finalists who were invited for interviews got the job.

DNR: Fox kit tests positive for bird flu in Minnesota

May 12, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A baby fox has tested positive for the bird flu in Minnesota, the first confirmed case in a wild mammal in the state, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

The kit found in Anoka County died, as did two red fox kits in Ontario, Canada who tested positive for the avian flu last week, the first reported cases in a wild mammal in North America, according to the DNR.

Biden calls former VP Mondale ‘giant’ of political history

By WILL WEISSERT and STEVE KARNOWSKIMay 1, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Joe Biden saluted his “friend of five decades" Walter Mondale on Sunday, traveling to the University of Minnesota to remember the former vice president and Democratic Party elder whose memorial service was delayed for a year due to the pandemic.

Biden to speak at memorial Sunday for former VP Mondale

April 26, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to speak at a memorial service in Minnesota on Sunday for former Vice President Walter Mondale, who died last April at age 93.

13-year-old Minnesota youth set to graduate from college

April 23, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 13-year-old boy from Minnesota will soon earn his bachelor's degree from college — with a major in physics and a minor in math.

Elliott Tanner is maintaining a 3.78 grade point average at the University of Minnesota and is participating in undergraduate research while also tutoring classmates.

Minnesota plans to pay athletes for academic success

April 8, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota plans to start paying its athletes for doing well in the classroom.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced the move Friday.

U of M asks lawmakers for $30m for scholarships

March 20, 2022 GMT

University of Minnesota officials are asking legislators to approve $30 million for scholarships for students who attend regional campuses.

Kansas administrator named president of North Dakota State

By DAVE KOLPACKFebruary 23, 2022 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A University of Kansas administrator was selected Wednesday as president at North Dakota State University.

The state Board of Higher Education unanimously opted for David Cook, the vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development at the Lawrence, Kansas, school.

University of Minnesota student eliminated from ’Jeopardy!”

February 19, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A University of Minnesota student has been eliminated from a ’Jeopardy!” college tournament.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that sophomore Emmey Harris was eliminated from the tournament in a semi-final round that aired Friday in prime time.

Stratasys Donates Cutting-Edge 3D Printers to Visible Heart Laboratories at University of Minnesota

February 17, 2022 GMT

New policy allows renaming U of M buildings after 75 years

February 11, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota regents have adopted a new policy that allows them to rename buildings after 75 years or sooner if their namesakes are contentious.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported the regents adopted the policy on Friday, saying it will allow more people to be honored over time.

Finalists named for North Dakota State University president

February 4, 2022 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A search committee has narrowed the field of candidates for North Dakota State University president to three, the state Board of Higher Education said Friday.

The finalists are David Cook, vice chancellor for public affairs on economic development at the University of Kansas; Hesham El-Rewini, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Marymount University; and Mary Holz-Clause, acting executive chancellor at the University of Minnesota in Morris and Crookston.

Walz asks lawmakers to back record $2.7 billion bonding bill

By STEVE KARNOWSKIJanuary 18, 2022 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz asked the Legislature on Tuesday to back a $2.7 billion “local jobs and projects” plan that's considerably larger than the record package that lawmakers passed two years ago.

5 candidates selected to interview for NDSU president’s post

January 18, 2022 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Five candidates have been selected to interview for North Dakota State University president, the state Board of Higher Education announced Tuesday.

The prospects will visit Fargo campus later this month.

Biologists discover rare mussels in St. Croix River

December 29, 2021 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Biologists discovered a cluster of rare mussels that could be more than 100 years old in the upper St. Croix River this past summer.

Wisconsin Public Radio reported Wednesday that biologists from the University of Minnesota, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service discovered eight spectaclecase mussels in the river in August.

Carjackers try to steal vehicle with 3-year-old inside

December 29, 2021 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A man and two teenagers are in custody after they allegedly followed a St. Paul woman home and carjacked her vehicle with her 3-year-old child still inside.

The Pioneer Press reported that the woman was running errands Tuesday morning when she noticed a group of people in a nearby car wearing ski masks.

University of Minnesota asks state for nearly $1 billion

December 27, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota is asking legislators for almost $1 billion in funding next year.

US Senate confirms Menendez as federal judge in Minnesota

December 19, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Magistrate Judge Kate M. Menendez has been confirmed by the Senate to fill Minnesota's federal court vacancy, the state's two senators announced over the weekend.

Menendez was nominated by President Joe Biden in September.

Free, reduced tuition program expanded to all UMinn campuses

November 2, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota will offer free or reduced tuition to many Native American students attending its five campuses starting next fall.

The cost waiver program had previously been offered only at the Morris campus, but now will be expanded to all five campuses, to also included Duluth, Rochester, Crookston and the Twin Cities.

Steveson signs NIL deal with WWE, will wrestle for Minnesota

By CLIFF BRUNTSeptember 9, 2021 GMT

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has achieved his childhood dream of signing with World Wrestling Entertainment — with a twist.

The WWE announced Thursday that it has signed Steveson to a deal that will allow him to join the WWE roster and return to the University of Minnesota to defend his college heavyweight wrestling title.

US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and MATTHEW PERRONEAugust 23, 2021 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine Monday, potentially boosting public confidence in the shots and instantly opening the way for more universities, companies and local governments to make vaccinations mandatory.

UMinn students, staff face vaccination or regular testing

August 14, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota System will join hundreds of colleges nationwide in requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for students and staff at its five campuses.

The mandate approved by the Board of Regents on Friday will take effect once the U.S.

University of Minnesota shifts, will require COVID shots

August 9, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota shifted gears on coronavirus vaccinations on Monday, saying it would begin requiring the shots after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approves vaccines.

Minnesota universities mandate masks to curb COVID-19 spread

By MOHAMED IBRAHIMAugust 2, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Public colleges and universities in Minnesota will be requiring masks to be worn on campuses to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as the delta variant of the virus is surging.

The University of Minnesota said Monday that it will require all students, employees and visitors at its five campuses to wear masks indoors starting Tuesday, regardless of their vaccination status.

University of Minnesota leaders agree to 1.5% tuition hike

June 29, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota Board of Regents on Tuesday agreed to raise tuition for the first time in two years, over objections from some students who believe it's wrong to charge more after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Police from Minneapolis, UM to step up patrols in Dinkytown

June 21, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and the University of Minnesota will began patrolling the Dinkytown area near the university in an effort to curb violent crime, school and law enforcement authorities said Monday.

Police: 5 people shot, wounded near University of Minnesota

June 19, 2021 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police say five people were shot in the Dinkytown neighborhood Friday near the University of Minnesota.

The Star Tribune reports just before midnight, police responded to a call of shots fired.

UMR looks to grow in 2nd decade

Matthew StolleFebruary 10, 2019 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS — A decade after the University of Minnesota Rochester accepted its first class of undergraduate students, UMR officials are making plans to make its second decade the beginning of accelerated growth.

Our view: How will new leaders tackle the issues?

Staff WriterJanuary 1, 2019 GMT

Partly due to the November election, and partly due to retirements, local leadership is set to undergo a wave of changes as 2018 turns to 2019. With that come new ideas, new energy and new interest.

Ecolab Foundation gives $5 million to University of Minnesota for green research

By Mara KleckerDecember 6, 2018 GMT

The University of Minnesota will receive $5 million from the Ecolab Foundation to support environmental sustainability research and education.

The gift, announced Thursday, is the largest from the Ecolab Foundation to the U and will establish an endowed chair for its Institute on the Environment.

At Minnesota State system, a big request for lawmakers in exchange for tuition freeze

By Mila KoumpilovaOctober 18, 2018 GMT

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is gearing up to make an ambitious funding request to state lawmakers in exchange for a pledge to freeze undergraduate tuition.

The system is planning to seek $246 million more in state dollars over two years, or a hike of more than 17 percent for the biennium.

Tuition waiver helps Native American students in Minnesota

By BELLA DALLY-STEELEOctober 15, 2018 GMT

MORRIS, Minn. (AP) — On the west side of the University of Minnesota-Morris campus stands an Anishinaabe grandmother, shrouded in a sacred blanket and embraced by two grandchildren...

University of Minnesota student had alcohol in his system, died of accidental asphyxiation

By Chao XiongOctober 12, 2018 GMT

The University of Minnesota student who was found dead in his fraternity house in September had alcohol in his system and died from accidental asphyxiation, according to the medical examiners office.

Nonresident enrollment at University of Minnesota drops after tuition increases

By Mila KoumpilovaOctober 12, 2018 GMT

Fewer freshmen from outside the state are studying on University of Minnesotas Twin Cities campus this fall after two years of double-digit nonresident tuition hikes.

The number of new students from states that do not have reciprocity agreements with Minnesota dropped by a quarter as their tuition rate jumped 15 percent, to $28,730 a year.

University of Minnesota releases presidential job description

By Mila KoumpilovaOctober 5, 2018 GMT

Contenders for the job of University of Minnesota president should be collaborative, visionary innovators and theyd better put in their applications fast.

The university committee charged with helping find the Us next leader released its profile of the ideal candidate Thursday.

With First Kiss, University of Minnesota apple growers find their sweet spot

By Adam BelzSeptember 16, 2018 GMT

David Bedford bites into 500 apples a day in peak season, so he knows a thing or two about taste and texture. And when the first out-of-state Honeycrisps started rolling into Minnesota grocery stores 15 years ago, he noticed a problem.

U of M fraternity house death under investigation in St. Paul

By Chao XiongSeptember 12, 2018 GMT

Police are investigating the death of a student found Wednesday morning in a University of Minnesota fraternity house near the St. Paul campus.

Police spokesman Steve Linders said authorities do not believe any foul play was involved, nor do they believe it was caused by hazing or initiation practices.

True freshmen come up big in season’s opening week

September 2, 2018 GMT

The 2018 college football season started the way last season ended - with big performances from true freshmen...

U of M reports breakthrough in 3-D printing for spinal cord repair

By Jeremy OlsonAugust 9, 2018 GMT

University of Minnesota researchers have broken new ground in the rapidly advancing field of 3-D printing: Creating stem cell-infused scaffolds that could be implanted in spinal cords to repair nerve damage.

University of Minnesota can’t ignore sports when looking for Eric Kaler’s replacement

By CHIP SCOGGINSJuly 17, 2018 GMT

Earlier this year the Gophers athletic department moved into its new $166 million home. The annual athletic budget stands at $121 million, fueled by a whopping $51 million in Big Ten conference distribution.

Day in History: Killer tornado hits Tracy

LOREN ELSE news@postbulletin.comJune 15, 2018 GMT

1993 – 25 years ago

• IBM introduced a desktop computer that uses a fourth of the energy of a conventional model leading a wave of “green PCs.” The company also said it would begin selling two new laptop computers, including one that weighs less than 4 pounds.

UMN nutritionist presents a fat problem for modern science

By NICK WICKERMay 14, 2018 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In 1957, Ancel Keys and a team of researchers embarked on an ambitious, global mission to reverse the heart attack epidemic through studying diet.

The University of Minnesota academic and his team traveled the world, from Japan to the Netherlands, testing men's physical performance and collecting information about their diets.

Currents: Cary J. Griffith, Minnesota author of new book Gunflint Burning

By Bob TimmonsApril 27, 2018 GMT

Today: Minnesota author Cary J. Griffith, who has a new book on the Ham Lake fire in 2007 in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Gunflint Burning is out in May from University of Minnesota Press.

University of Minnesota wins $42 million in federal funds for biomedical research

By Glenn HowattApril 6, 2018 GMT

The University of Minnesota has won a highly competitive $42 million biomedical research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the two biggest federal grants the U has ever received.

Minnesota has millions at stake as China targets soybeans

By Jim Spencer and Tom MeersmanApril 5, 2018 GMT

WASHINGTON Minnesotas 2018 soybean crop lost $152 million in value in the commodities futures market hours after China threatened Wednesday to place a 25 percent tariff on soybeans imported from the United States.

Conservationist Jane Goodall brings message of hope to University of Minnesota

By Hannah CovingtonMarch 24, 2018 GMT

She held no notes. She used few slides. But once Jane Goodall stepped onstage at Northrop auditorium Friday night, it was clear she carried a message summoned easily from memory.

Shorter winter may impact Minn. fisheries, bring more toxic algae

By CODY NELSON Minnesota Public Radio NewsMarch 8, 2018 GMT

Lake Minnetonka’s western bays were frozen solid. Just off the shore in Cooks Bay, garbage trucks could safely drive right above the icy water.

This isn’t the logical time to study a lake. But for a team led by University of Minnesota-Duluth researchers, that was the point: They want to know how shortening winters — and less ice cover on lakes — may increase the presence of harmful algae blooms and impact the fishery.