Minnesota budget surplus projected to top $1.5 billion. How should it be used?

The Red River Valley Dental Access Project, which provided dental services to low-income people who couldn't afford it, has been one of the success stories in Minnesota and North Dakota. For a $30 flat fee, volunteer dentists and dental specialists provide all the dental care needed. They don't get paid and they put in all the hours needed.

Opponents of the transfer of money from the police budget worried that the move would make some neighborhoods less safe or hamper efforts to better train officers.

Plus, Art Hounds recommend a series of book readings in Duluth and "The Chanukah Guest" in St. Paul.

Mark Steil has worked as an MPR News reporter in Worthington for 40 years. He retires Thursday. He's covered an incredible array of stories. Here are just a few.

News, big and small, on four different fronts of the Russia investigation is expected Friday. Prosecutors have unsealed the first U.S. criminal charges filed since the Panama Papers were leaked to reporters and published in 2016. And U.S. stock markets plunged again Thursday after a Chinese technology executive was arrested in Canada, escalating U.S.-China tensions.

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