Stories from December 12, 2018

December 12, 2018 5:53 PM

Departed Strib film critic disputes plagiarism charge

Colin Covert says his borrowing of phrases from other writers constitutes "fair use."

by Euan Kerr

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December 12, 2018 5:14 PM

Evelyn Berezin, computer scientist behind groundbreaking word processor, dies at 93

In addition to revolutionizing how the world writes, Berezin also developed the first computer system for making airline reservations.

by Camila Domonoske

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December 12, 2018 3:35 PM

Congress approves farm bill, $400 billion for farmers, forests, poor

The House voted 369-47 for the legislation, which sets federal agricultural and food policy for five years, after the Senate approved it 87-13 on Tuesday. It is now headed to the desk of President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

by The Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 3:11 PM

Tribune, Tronc and beyond: A slur, a secret payout, and a looming sale

Tribune Publishing secretly started to pay more than $2.5 million to a fired news executive to settle a lawsuit. It sought to keep a slur by controlling owner Michael Ferro from becoming public.

by David Folkenflik

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December 12, 2018 2:55 PM

A look at where the investigations related to Trump stand

A look at where the investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him.

by Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 2:00 PM

Appetites: For holiday spirit, try a cocktail without the spirits

If you don't drink or offered to be the designated driver, holiday parties may not have many options. Erik Eastman returns to Appetites to share a few 'mocktails' to try.

by Tom Crann and Kyle Shiely

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December 12, 2018 1:55 PM

Minnesota undermines White House at UN climate talks

J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director for Minnesota-based Fresh Energy, tells MPR News about the state's presence at international climate change talks in Poland.

by Paul Huttner

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December 12, 2018 1:49 PM

What to know about the no-confidence vote facing British Prime Minister Theresa May

Britain's prime minister faces a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday evening. Why do members of her own party want to sack her?

by Frank Langfitt

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December 12, 2018 1:37 PM

Ex-judges to ICE: End immigration arrests at courthouses

Dozens of retired state and federal judges called Wednesday on U.S. immigration officials to stop making arrests at courthouses of people suspected of being in the country illegally.

by Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 1:00 PM

Movies that unite us

Yes, Hollywood is in the business of making myths, and it can be nostalgic and not brave enough to lead the cultural change ... but sometimes they get it right.

by Kerri Miller and Jeffrey Bissoy

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December 12, 2018 1:00 PM

What you need to know about the special deadline for Medicare Cost plans

MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik and Mary Agnes Caret , senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, about the different enrollment options for people who lost their Medicare Cost plans.

by Kerri Miller and Elizabeth Shockman

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December 12, 2018 11:18 AM

'Dirty deeds': Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen gets 3 years in prison

Michael Cohen, who as President Donald Trump's personal lawyer and fixer once vowed he would "take a bullet" for his boss, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for an array of crimes.

by Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 11:11 AM

Mayors and governors rebut Trump administration position at climate summit

Federal officials at the U.N. climate meeting are ignoring climate science and touting coal and fossil fuels. But local and state authorities pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their own.

by Rebecca Hersher

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December 12, 2018 10:40 AM

'Love Child' topped the Billboard pop chart 50 years ago — and it has a sequel song

Diana Ross is the only member of the Supremes to sing on the recording; the backing vocals were provided by session singers. The song is about a woman who is concerned about having a child out of wedlock.

by Phil Picardi

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December 12, 2018 10:18 AM

Election officials rethink 2020 presidential primary

A proposal that Secretary of State Steve Simon will put before lawmakers would shield party preference for the 2020 presidential primary. He's also seeking to institute an election exclusively by mail.

by Brian Bakst

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December 12, 2018 10:14 AM

Mostly murky: Dense fog and air quality advisories; sun and 40 by Friday?

Milder air arrives Friday and Saturday.

by Paul Huttner

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December 12, 2018 9:45 AM

America's growing cop shortage

A hot job market and skepticism about law enforcement are making it harder for police departments across the country to replace officers who are retiring.

by Martin Kaste and Lori Mack

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December 12, 2018 8:38 AM

Trump wants to roll back federal water protections. What will that mean for Minnesota?

The rule likely won't have significant impact in Minnesota, where state regulations of wetlands and other water bodies have been in place for decades. Here's a breakdown of the proposal and what it might mean for the state.

by Kirsti Marohn

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December 12, 2018 7:46 AM

When ballplayers visit the hospital

Yes, we know. There's a little bit of public relations involved in Tuesday's visit to the hospital by members of the Minnesota Twins. But let's just set the cynicsm aside for a moment. Just because we can. Also: Joe Mauer petting a dog. That's why.

by Bob Collins

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December 12, 2018 7:09 AM

Ramsey County data breach might have affected hundreds

The personal information of hundreds of Ramsey County social services clients might have been compromised after hackers gained access to the email accounts of dozens of county employees.

by The Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 6:49 AM

Michael Flynn asks for no prison time, cites help he gave special counsel

Defense lawyers told the judge their client gave investigators extensive help and gave the country exemplary military service.

by Carrie Johnson

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December 12, 2018 6:47 AM

More police training key to determining who is a 'good guy with a gun'

Two black men killed by police recently in Alabama and Illinois are described by protesters as 'good guys with guns.' Police trainers say there are steps departments can take to help prevent deaths.

by Cheryl Corley

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December 12, 2018 6:46 AM

Fact check: Trump says 'a lot of wall has been built' as he demands we build more

President Trump is threatening a government shutdown if he doesn't get funding to build his border wall. In a meeting with Democratic leaders, he said, "tremendous amounts of wall have been built."

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December 12, 2018 6:25 AM

What made a Crystal man aim a gun at police?

No charges will be filed against a New Hope police officer who shot and killed Ronald Klitzka, but the narrative of events released by prosecutors Wednesday makes the word “tragedy” insufficient to describe what happened.

by Bob Collins

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December 12, 2018 6:23 AM

UK's May wins party no-confidence vote, but troubles remain

The announcement throws Britain's already rocky path out of the European Union, which it is due to leave in March, into further chaos.

by The Associated Press

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December 12, 2018 4:29 AM

Canada’s shame: indigenous kids stolen from families

The CBC offers poignant truth today in the telling of the story of three sisters, victims of the Sixties Scoop in Canada, in which Canada's Indigenous, Metis and Inuit children were taken, often separated, then placed in foster homes or given to white families through adoption from the late '50s to the '80s.

by Bob Collins

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December 12, 2018 4:00 AM

New shelter opens for residents of Minneapolis homeless camp

Social workers are trying to convince some who are leery of living in a shelter to try a new navigation center across the highway from the encampment.

by Max Nesterak

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December 12, 2018 4:00 AM

Sensory-friendly Santa trades holiday bustle for quiet time during U visit

For children with autism or other sensory sensitivities, the long lines and loud noises of a typical visit to see Santa at the mall can be overwhelming. This Saturday, the U is hosting an event that will make the Santa visit much more tolerable.

by Nina Moini

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December 12, 2018 3:30 AM

Rice Street needed all day to say ‘goodbye’ to its homeless friend

Your daily dose of sweetness today comes the Star Tribune's James Walsh, who has been telling us the story of Bones over the years with compassion and humanity.

by Bob Collins

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December 12, 2018 2:45 AM

Smog helping nature put on a rare light show

There was a little more freezing fog around the upper Midwest overnight, which provided another chance to consider the advantage of living in flyover country. Light pillars, for example.

by Bob Collins

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December 12, 2018 2:20 AM

Icy start today; 40s ahead?

Air quality alert continues into Thursday when evening breezes will mix in cleaner air and bring milder temperatures.

by Paul Huttner

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December 12, 2018 1:09 AM

The crime spree at the front door

It's only a matter of time before the easy pickings on the doorstep lead to someone getting killed, and there's a chance it'll be someone who wasn't on the doorstep to steal the package.

by Bob Collins