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Stories from January 17, 2019

Heads-up for Sunday, a super 'blood moon' is on the way

Heads-up for Sunday, a super 'blood moon' is on the way

Not only will the moon be particularly close to Earth, but it will also be bathed in a reddish light just before midnight Eastern time.
by Ian Stewart

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From disease to habitat loss, researchers lay out Minnesota's bleak climate realities

From disease to habitat loss, researchers lay out Minnesota's bleak climate realities

Minnesota lawmakers considering new legislation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions got their second crash course Thursday. This time, it was on all the ways climate change is already harming the state.
by Cody Nelson

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Beloved poet Mary Oliver, who believed poetry 'mustn't be fancy,' dies at 83

Beloved poet Mary Oliver, who believed poetry 'mustn't be fancy,' dies at 83

Oliver wasn't always appreciated by critics, but she was still one of the country's most popular poets. In 2012, she told NPR, "Poetry, to be understood, must be clear."
by Lynn Neary

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Status of Lynx star Maya Moore for '19 WNBA season uncertain

Status of Lynx star Maya Moore for '19 WNBA season uncertain

Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said Thursday that the organization has been "in close contact" with the five-time first team All-WNBA honoree.
by Associated Press

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GOP, DFL lawmakers seek to trim special ed paperwork

GOP, DFL lawmakers seek to trim special ed paperwork

Concerned about the paperwork pressures on Minnesota's special education teachers, state senators on Thursday offered bipartisan legislation that they said would reduce those paperwork demands by up to 52 hours per student.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Scientists find brain cells that make pain hurt

Scientists find brain cells that make pain hurt

Researchers have pinpointed the neurons that give pain its unpleasant edge. By turning these neurons off in mice, the scientists relieved the unpleasantness of pain without numbing sensation.
by Jonathan Lambert

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Key Democrat wants answers from EPA on Minnesota mine plan

Key Democrat wants answers from EPA on Minnesota mine plan

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a critic of the project, said she found it "remarkable" that the federal agency did not formally weigh in before the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the final water and air permits for the project last month.
by Associated Press

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Flu season ramps up across Minnesota

Flu season ramps up across Minnesota

This year's strain of flu is milder and public health officials think more people have gotten vaccinated.
by John Enger

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Trump postpones Pelosi trip to war zone after she postpones State of the Union

Trump postpones Pelosi trip to war zone after she postpones State of the Union

"In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate," the president wrote to the speaker.

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How Germany got to 40 percent renewable electricity

How Germany got to 40 percent renewable electricity

Emissions are on pace to fall 62 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. That's an unthinkable greenhouse gas reduction pace here in the U.S. But in Germany, many say that's not fast enough.
by Paul Huttner

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Is the writing on the wall? Minn. to debate cursive in school

Is the writing on the wall? Minn. to debate cursive in school

A new bill before the Minnesota Legislature would require a state agency to write up a cursive curriculum, although school districts could decide whether to introduce it.
by Brian Bakst

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The title this director gave his parents' story? 'Cold War'

The title this director gave his parents' story? 'Cold War'

Pawel Pawlikowski grew up in the shadow of a tempestuous love affair. Naturally, he made it into a movie.
by Euan Kerr

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On day Jayme escaped, suspect sought job -- with dodgy resume

On day Jayme escaped, suspect sought job -- with dodgy resume

The Wisconsin man suspected of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents apparently applied for a job online the day that Jayme escaped, calling himself an "honest guy" even though his resume contains inaccuracies about his work experience.
by Associated Press

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Where to find free food, discounts if you've been furloughed

Where to find free food, discounts if you've been furloughed

There's no end in sight to the government shutdown -- now the longest in U.S. history -- but these local businesses are stepping up to provide some relief for impacted workers.
by Nancy Yang

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Deputy cleared in Crystal shooting

No criminal charges will be filed against a Hennepin County sheriff's deputy for shooting and wounding a man during a stand-off in Crystal.
by Associated Press

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The tale of the Spinosaurus

You know the T. rex. But do you know the Spinosaurus? Along with other scientists, Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim worked with new fossil discoveries and old drawings to bring the giant creature back to science.
by Angela Davis

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Trump's ex-lawyer Cohen acknowledges scheme to rig polls in presidential race

Trump's ex-lawyer Cohen acknowledges scheme to rig polls in presidential race

Michael Cohen tweeted about what appeared to be another example of questionable actions he'd taken in order to help Trump's presidential ambitions. He already has pleaded guilty to others.

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Lilliana Mason on 'How Politics Became Our Identity'

Are you spending a lot of time in your own political bubble? Is it a struggle for you to hold a conversation with your political opposite? You're not the only one.
by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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What's driving low gas prices? A global oil glut

What's driving low gas prices? A global oil glut

Gasoline prices have been dropping steadily for months; they're averaging right around $2.25 per gallon nationally. Enjoy, but don't get used to them, analysts say.
by Camila Domonoske

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Watchdog: Many more migrant families may have been separated

Watchdog: Many more migrant families may have been separated

Government investigators say many more migrant children may have been separated from their parents than the Trump administration has acknowledged.
by Associated Press

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Legislative Auditor issued rare subpoena to state agency

Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles says he recently issued a rare subpoena to a state agency that was not responding to his request for information.
by Tim Pugmire

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How to recover your cellphone from the bottom of the lake

How to recover your cellphone from the bottom of the lake

This might not be the sort of photo you'd value unless it's your father who died last year and it was on a cellphone that was in your breast pocket and it fell into the water when you were ice fishing the other day and you never got around to backing up what was on the phone.
by Bob Collins

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Contradictions on Trump campaign collusion from Giuliani

Contradictions on Trump campaign collusion from Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani's comments Wednesday night on CNN directly contradict the position of his own client, who has repeatedly insisted there was no collusion during his successful White House run. Giuliani himself has described the idea of Russian collusion as "total fake news."
by The Associated Press

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Poll: Trump approval down, slips with base

Poll: Trump approval down, slips with base

During the longest shutdown in history, key parts of Trump's base -- from suburban men to white evangelicals to white men without a college degree -- have slipped in their support for the president.

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Less beef, more beans: Experts say world needs a new diet

Less beef, more beans: Experts say world needs a new diet

A hamburger a week, but no more -- that's about as much red meat people should eat to do what's best for their health and the planet, according to a report seeking to overhaul the world's diet.
by The Associated Press

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For Metro Transit, just one word: plastic

For Metro Transit, just one word: plastic

Metro Transit is one of the few transit agencies that still uses fabric seats, the Star Tribune's Tim Harlow reports. But maybe not for long.
by Bob Collins

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Art Hounds: Portraits of and by Native American youth

Art Hounds: Portraits of and by Native American youth

Plus, Art Hounds recommend a poetry reading performed to music, and "Something Elegant, Like This."
by Marianne Combs

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Michigan State says Engler resignation effective immediately

The board acted a day after John Engler said he'd step down next week amid fallout from remarks he made about some victims of former sports doctor and convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota farmers high on hemp's potential

Minnesota farmers high on hemp's potential

Congress legalized industrial hemp as a crop in the latest farm bill -- and Minnesota farmers and economic development officials are ready to jump into the new industry. Minnesota's hemp program coordinator urges caution as the state breaks new ground.
by Dan Gunderson

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Giant ice disk concludes its 15 minutes of fame

Giant ice disk concludes its 15 minutes of fame

It is somewhat comforting that the nation can still be united enough to marvel at a chunk of ice in a river.
by Bob Collins

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Chillier weather ahead; enough snow to shovel for southern Minn. on Friday

Chillier weather ahead; enough snow to shovel for southern Minn. on Friday

Our Thursday highs should reach the low-to-mid 20s in the Twin Cities metro area and most of south-central and southeastern Minnesota. The remainder of Minnesota will see mostly teens.
by Ron Trenda

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Maplewood market’s woes challenge a community to step up

Maplewood market’s woes challenge a community to step up

If the people of Maplewood ever lament the loss of a locally-run market, they have only themselves to blame if they don't step up in some fashion to help a couple victimized by bad luck and bad people.
by Bob Collins

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Chasing NFL money can wait for U of M player

Chasing NFL money can wait for U of M player

Tyler Johnson, the University of Minnesota receiver, is the kind of star athlete that more people should notice -- not because of his football skills, but because he knows the value of an education.
by Bob Collins

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Gov. mansion gate-smasher ruled incompetent to stand trial

Gov. mansion gate-smasher ruled incompetent to stand trial

A Ramsey County judge will instead refer him to be evaluated for civil commitment. At the time of the incident, the man said he had medical problems and was tired of "all the electricity" under his skin.
by Alisa Roth

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What’s on MPR News – 1/17/19

What’s on MPR News – 1/17/19

Here are the stories, topics, and guests you'll hear today on MPR News.
by Bob Collins

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Youthful angst is fresh and compelling in 'Last Night in Nuuk'

Youthful angst is fresh and compelling in 'Last Night in Nuuk'

Niviaq Korneliussen's new novel follows five people in Greenland's capital Nuuk; it's a heartbreaking yet hopeful look at young, queer life in one of the most isolated places in the world.
by Michael Schaub

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In 'Why We Fight,' one man searches for self-knowledge through mixed martial arts

In 'Why We Fight,' one man searches for self-knowledge through mixed martial arts

Josh Rosenblatt's personal meditation on fighting and selfhood is replete with engaging literary and historical excursions -- giving the idea of fighting a dignity it might be harder to grant without.
by Nicholas Cannariato

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APM Reports documentary: 'Hard to Read: How American Schools Fail Kids with Dyslexia'

APM Reports documentary: 'Hard to Read: How American Schools Fail Kids with Dyslexia'

An APM Reports documentary explores why some children's learning disabilities aren't identified and remedied, and how improving things for dyslexic kids could help all students learn to read better.

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In home of original Sriracha sauce, Thais say Rooster brand is nothing to crow about

In home of original Sriracha sauce, Thais say Rooster brand is nothing to crow about

The Rooster brand, ubiquitous in the U.S., is now being exported to Thailand, where Sriracha was born. But many Thais who taste the U.S. version are not impressed. "I wanted to gag," says one.
by Michael Sullivan

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