Stories from January 16, 2025

Will Trump move to pave the way for mining near the Boundary Waters next week?
Backers and opponents of a proposed copper mine near Ely, Minn., are gearing up for anticipated action from the incoming Trump administration that could reopen a path for mining next to the Boundary Waters.
Flu is flying: Twin Cities sees highest weekly hospitalizations in past four years
Data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health shows flu activity continuing to soar. Statewide, 877 people were hospitalized due to influenza in the week ending Jan. 4.
Gov. Tim Walz rolled out his proposed 2025 budget today, calling for a cut to state sales tax, a move he says will help offset increased costs from proposed federal tariffs. And Democrats in the state House of Representatives are back in their home districts, after boycotting the chamber amidst a power sharing dispute with Republicans.
Canadian man’s home security camera captures the sight and sound of a meteorite strike
Joe Velaidum’s home security camera captured the instant a meteorite smashed against his home's brick walkway. The video is thought to be the first recorded sound of a meteorite’s direct impact.
Palestinians in Gaza are eager to return home in a ceasefire but many will find nothing left
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are eager to leave miserable tent camps and return to their homes if a long-awaited ceasefire agreement halts the Israel-Hamas war. But many will find there is nothing left and no way to rebuild.
David Lynch, visionary filmmaker behind 'Twin Peaks' and 'Mulholland Drive,' dies at 78
David Lynch has died at 78. The filmmaker was celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.”
‘TikTok‘s days are numbered:’ expert breaks down Supreme Court case as users await decision
The platform asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt an order that the company sell its U.S. operations or shut down, but justices have yet to make a decision.
‘Winter bug’ norovirus surges in Minnesota with unusually high number of cases
Sometimes referred to as the “winter vomiting bug,” noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness in the state for people of all ages. Minnesota is seeing around four times as many cases this season than is typical.
‘Spreading joy through two ropes’: Rondo Double Dutch shares skills with new generation
Rondo Double Dutch is the brainchild of Mercedes Yarbrough, an educator who wanted to bring Double Dutch to young people in her community. She joined up with Jelahn Prentiss to expand her vision for the program.
UnitedHealth tops profit forecasts but medical costs linger for health care giant
Shares of the health care giant slid early Thursday after it released its first financial report since the brazen shooting of one of its executives touched a national nerve and brought to the surface American frustration over health care access.
McDavid scores twice, Oilers beat Wild 5-3 for seventh win in eight games
Vasily Podkolzin scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist, and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3 for their seventh win in eight games.
FTC sues Deere & Co. for monopolizing farm-equipment repair market
The Federal Trade Commission is accusing Deere & Co. of unfairly monopolizing the farm-equipment repair market. The attorneys general of Illinois and Minnesota joined the FTC in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Illinois.
The Minnesota Supreme Court says it will hear arguments on Thursday of next week, Jan. 23, in a dispute over who is running the Minnesota House. That means a standoff over House operations could remain in flux for awhile. And the court on Wednesday heard arguments in a special election case. Republicans want to delay the election, which earlier this month was scheduled for Jan. 28. 
Above freezing Thursday, Friday; subzero wind chills through the weekend
Above-freezing temperatures are expected for Thursday and Friday with increasing cloud cover. An arctic plunge is on track to sweep across the state Friday, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season.
Netanyahu delays the ceasefire vote, as far-right cabinet members threaten to quit
The deal was set to be ratified by Israeli Cabinet on Thursday. But Netanyahu says, without specifying, that Hamas has gone back on several parts of the ceasefire agreement at the last minute.
Trump's pick for secretary of the Interior Department is Doug Burgum. Here's what to know
Doug Burgum, former North Dakota governor and businessman is President Donald Trump's pick to be Secretary of the Interior. The confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thurs., Jan 16, 2025.
A need for speed: Several states are looking for ways to count votes faster
Lawmakers in California and other states want to change vote-counting rules to speed up the process. One key question is whether counting can be sped up without sacrificing access to the ballot.
Trump wants a quick end to the Ukraine war. That's a tall order
The war has reached a critical point. A real peace seems unlikely, but a ceasefire is possible, most experts agree. The question is whether it can be achieved without placing Ukraine in further peril.
Walz unveils slimmer Minnesota budget, pitches sales tax cut
Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday pitched a tighter two-year budget, complete with spending pullbacks and other measures to keep a potential deficit at bay. He also proposed a lower state sales tax rate but called for extending the tax’s reach to financial services.
Frey listed among 175 potential government witnesses in next Feeding Our Future trial
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is on the government’s witness list in the second Feeding Our Future trial. He is not accused of any wrongdoing and a spokesperson said Frey has not received a subpoena to testify.
Art Hounds on fabric, dragons and freedom
From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. This week, they recommend fabric collages, dragon-themed theater and photographs on the subject of freedom.
To boost kids’ reading, Minnesota schools start to shift the way they teach
Schools are working now to overhaul literacy teaching to comply with a new state law, the Read Act. A visit to one Minnesota district shows the hopes and challenges that come with overturning decades of instructional practice.