Quick Hits

• Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer. The pontiff underwent surgery Tuesday that confirmed the diagnosis, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said (MPR News).
• A "massive" Russian attack on Ukraine killed at least six people and damaged power sites, cutting power in Kyiv; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine's partners failed to warn of the Russian ballistic missile attack on the capital (Al Jazeera).
• President Donald Trump endorsed former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio (MPR News).
• Minneapolis agreed to pay $2 million to six people who claimed police officers used excessive force against them during unrest following the killing of George Floyd (MPR News).
• Tangle examines the planned execution of the Fort Hood shooter, pairing its news coverage with a debate essay on whether executions should be livestreamed (Tangle).

Top Stories

• Ukraine war: Beyond the Russian strike, Al Jazeera reports Ukrainian drones struck more than 100km into Russian territory, hitting the Saratov region, where the regional governor reported one person was killed.
• Minnesota Senate race: Trump voiced his support for Tafoya Monday night, days before a Friday debate between Tafoya and Peggy Flanagan hosted by MPR News; MPR News also published a video interview with Flanagan on how her childhood and faith shaped her politics.
• Fort Hood execution debate: Tangle reports on the planned execution and, in a companion piece, an author argues over livestreaming executions from an explicitly stated "pro-life" stance.
• 2026 midterms: Tangle publishes Kmele Foster's midterm prediction, framed around the question "Can money save Republicans in the midterms?"

Left Perspective

All stories below from MPR News (lean-left outlet).

• Veteran homelessness: State officials say Minnesota has reached "functional zero" veteran homelessness — any veteran who becomes homeless is quickly matched with services — after what officials describe as a dramatic decrease.
• Immigration enforcement: Districts across the Twin Cities say the surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents earlier this year contributed to enrollment drops ("We are definitely down," one district communications official said). Separately, ICE agent Gregory D. Morgan Jr., charged with assault in an alleged road rage incident on a Twin Cities highway, testified he feared for his safety during the encounter.
• Red Lake child welfare: The U.S. government said in an official document that its emergency takeover of Red Lake Nation's child welfare agency followed a pattern of inaction as children were "neglected, abused and malnourished."
• Higher education: The Minnesota State colleges and universities system is expected to vote Wednesday on shifting funds from smaller colleges to struggling universities in St. Cloud and Bemidji.

Right Perspective

No right-leaning outlets were included in today's supplied article pool; this section is omitted.

International View

All stories below from Al Jazeera (center-rated outlet).

• China–North Korea: The long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge will formally open Thursday, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
• Israel and the region: A feature reports Palestinians in the occupied West Bank see little prospect that Israel's election will change their lives under occupation; a separate report on Israel's "Yellow Line" describes demolished homes, shifting military lines, and stalled withdrawals leaving southern Lebanese residents uncertain whether they can return.
• DRC: Al Jazeera reports that former President Joseph Kabila's alliance with M23 rebels confirms numerous accusations from the government in Kinshasa about his ties to armed groups.
• Sri Lanka: Several members and allies of the once-powerful Rajapaksa dynasty, including the wife of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, are under arrest amid corruption and crimes investigations.
• Albania: A student protest in Tirana turned violent, with protesters throwing bricks at the Education Ministry building and police responding with tear gas and water cannon.
• Opinion: An Al Jazeera opinion piece argues Sudan cannot afford to dismiss a new dialogue initiative despite serious questions about military influence.

Underreported

All stories below from MPR News (lean-left outlet).

• Data centers: A new toolkit aims to help Minnesota cities weigh the pros and cons of big tech data center proposals, which have sparked criticism of local leaders — some of whom signed non-disclosure agreements.
• School security: Eden Prairie High School will add security measures for the rest of the football season after a shooting outside the stadium earlier this month.
• Minneapolis fire recovery: A store owner and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe assessed damage Monday, a day after a three-alarm fire destroyed a south Minneapolis store and damaged a neighboring tribal-owned building.

Sources

MPR News (lean left): Vatican says the pope has lung cancer and the lower lobe of his right lung was removed; Trump endorses Tafoya for Senate; Minneapolis to pay $2M in excessive force case; 'Massive' Russian attack coverage partner pick-up; MN veteran homelessness reaches 'functional zero'; Twin Cities schools report enrollment losses after ICE; Charged ICE agent says he feared for his safety; Feds say takeover of Red Lake child welfare program was due to pattern of inaction; Minn. State may shift funds to struggling universities; New tool kit helps MN cities prepare for data centers; Eden Prairie adds more security at football games; Store owner, Native American bands assess damage after Minneapolis fire; Video: Flanagan on how childhood, faith shaped politics.

Al Jazeera (center): 'Massive' Russian attack on Ukraine kills at least six, damages power sites; Ukrainian drones strike more than 100km into Russian territory; China and North Korea to open New Yalu River Bridge; 'Like we don't Exist': Palestinians in West Bank denied say in Israel vote; How Israel's 'Yellow Line' is reshaping southern Lebanon; Ex-DRC President Kabila's alliance with M23 rebels; Why Sri Lanka's Rajapaksas are being investigated; Photos: Student protest in Albania prompts violent clashes; Sudan cannot afford to dismiss a chance for dialogue (opinion).

Tangle (center): The planned execution of the Fort Hood shooter; Should executions be livestreamed?; Kmele Foster's 2026 Midterm Prediction.