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.
40s Thursday in SW Minnesota. Coldest stretch of winter next week?
Thermometers hit 43 degrees in southwest Minnesota Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will bottom out near minus 15 degrees around the Twin Cities by Monday morning.
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.
St. Paul clears encampment near Mississippi River
The camp has been running for about two years. At least 40 people lived there as of last week, when the city posted notices to vacate.
‘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.
How much can Dry January improve your health?
For many, the new year is an opportunity to reset their relationship with alcohol. The roots of the health trend go as far back as 1942. A psychiatrist explains the difference it can make.
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.
Leinenkugel brothers' interest in buying back historic brewery rejected
Dick Leinenkugel says Molson Coors CEO told him discussions were not prudent and the company is ‘fully committed’ to Leinenkugel’s brand.
'Mr. Baseball' Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90
Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died.
Morning Announcements for Jan. 16
Here are the morning announcements for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
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.
UnitedHealth books better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit
UnitedHealth posted a better-than-expected profit in the final quarter of 2024, but revenue fell short as challenges like Medicare funding cuts and a Medicaid enrollment drop hurt.
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.
How would RFK Jr. handle bird flu? His record on vaccines has experts on edge
Trump's pick for health secretary has a record of attacking vaccines. In fact he's even taken direct aim at bird flu shots. Some scientists fear this doesn't bode well in case of a crisis.
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.