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Stories from February 4, 2019

House Democrats play catch-up on agenda after shutdown

House Democrats play catch-up on agenda after shutdown

Democrats say they plan to follow through on the campaign pledges to protect health care and close the gender pay gap. With the shutdown over, they plan to push legislation and prove they can govern.
by Kelsey Snell

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Fate of Mexican drug lord El Chapo now rests with U.S. jury

Fate of Mexican drug lord El Chapo now rests with U.S. jury

After nearly three months of testimony about a vast drug-smuggling conspiracy steeped in violence, a jury began deliberations Monday at the U.S. trial of the infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
by Associated Press

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Mayor of Dayton charged with embezzling

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday that 54-year-old Timothy McNeil is charged with theft by swindle for embezzling about $12,000 from the Dayton Heritage Day Committee account.
by Associated Press

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Most inmates with mental illness still wait for decent care

Most inmates with mental illness still wait for decent care

Nearly three years after the state of Illinois agreed in a court settlement to revamp mental health care in prisons and provide better treatment, a judge says the care remains "grossly insufficient."
by Christine Herman

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Trump to call for unity, face skepticism in State of Union

Trump to call for unity, face skepticism in State of Union

The White House says President Donald Trump will call for optimism and unity in Tuesday's State of the Union address, using the moment to attempt a reset after two years of bitter partisanship and deeply personal attacks.
by Associated Press

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It's so icy, a road salt truck spun out. Here's how to drive safe

It's so icy, a road salt truck spun out. Here's how to drive safe

Wintry storms were continuing across the state as temperatures were set to plunge yet again, making even icier conditions likely. Getting around on the ice is tough -- there's no way around it. However, there are a few things drivers can do to be a little safer.
by Cody Nelson

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'Going home to see family': Twin Cities nonprofit nears 20 years of helping South Africa

'Going home to see family': Twin Cities nonprofit nears 20 years of helping South Africa

For nearly two decades, Father Jim Cassidy has led groups of Minnesotans as they bring supplies to South Africa. "I always describe it to first-timers that I am going home to see family, and I am inviting you to come along to meet cousins that you have not yet met," he says.
by Nina Moini

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Alan Page: On life after losing his spouse, receiving the nation's highest civilian honor and race relations

Alan Page: On life after losing his spouse, receiving the nation's highest civilian honor and race relations

Minnesota legend Alan Page had an expansive career from Pro Football Hall of Famer to former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal Freedom.
by Julie Siple, Jeyca Maldonado-Medina and Angela Davis

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Icy start to an unsettled week

Icy start to an unsettled week

Much snow melted over the weekend. That was just the beginning of the problem across many areas. The meltwater refroze into glare ice Sunday night as temperatures fell below freezing. Freezing drizzle and light freezing rain added more ice. The Monday morning commute was quite the icy mess with many crashes and spinouts. In the…
by Bill Endersen

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Political Junkie: The qualities of good leadership

What are the qualities of a good political leader? Are our government leaders exhibiting the qualities of good leadership?
by Kerri Miller

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How can politicians become better leaders?

As candidates prepare bids for the 2020 presidential election, one of the key factors voters will examine is their candidates' effectiveness as a leader. Kerri Miller spoke to political experts about the top qualities Americans look for in their political leaders and how that has changed over time.
by Kerri Miller and Jeffrey Bissoy

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Black History Month playlists from Ilhan Omar, Melvin Carter and more

Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins included "That's the Way of the World" by Earth, Wind & Fire on her playlist for MPR's sister station The Current.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Review: Maroon 5's halftime show was basic

Review: Maroon 5's halftime show was basic

There are a number of words you could use to describe Maroon 5's halftime show performance: Empty. Boring. Basic. Sleepy. Skippable. Unfulfilling. Unnecessary.
by The Associated Press

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Senate District 11 candidates call for action over mail-in ballots

Senate District 11 candidates call for action over mail-in ballots

More than 400 mail-in ballots arrived late and were not counted during the primary in January. The United States Postal Service, slowed by years of cuts, coupled with a truncated special-election timeline resulted in ballots arriving after votes had been counted and the election verified.

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If you're often angry or irritable, you may be depressed

If you're often angry or irritable, you may be depressed

Physicians have been taught to look for signs of hopelessness, sadness and lack of motivation to help them diagnose depression. But anger as a depression symptom is less often noticed or addressed.
by Nell Greenfieldboyce

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Oregon bottle deposit system hits 90 percent redemption rate

Oregon bottle deposit system hits 90 percent redemption rate

The expanded program includes more types of containers and benefits from a cleaner mix of recyclable materials, which is easier to sell than the mishmash of waste that ends up in curbside bins.
by Cassandra Profita

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Old church demolition saddens, improves Catholic community in Virginia, Minn.

Following more than four years of discussions that involved the whole parish and diocese, it was decided, said the priest, that the space could better serve the growing needs of the parish and school in other ways.
by The Associated Press

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University dazzles lawmakers with Paul Bunyan’s Axe

University dazzles lawmakers with Paul Bunyan’s Axe

A prized football trophy made its way to the Minnesota Capitol on Monday, giving lawmakers a chance to express their University of Minnesota pride.
by Brian Bakst

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What's coming up at the state Capitol this week

Several issues are picking up steam, from a bill that would allow people to renounce racial covenants in their home titles, to legislation addressing elder abuse.
by Cathy Wurzer and Briana Bierschbach

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Super Bowl ads 2019: Stunts, self-deprecation and celebrity sightings

Super Bowl ads 2019: Stunts, self-deprecation and celebrity sightings

Marketers focused on finding the humor in this year's crop of Super Bowl ads. Here's what worked -- and so much more that didn't -- on the world's biggest showcase for TV advertising.
by Eric Deggans

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Throwback night: Pats wins Super Bowl the old-fashioned way

Throwback night: Pats wins Super Bowl the old-fashioned way

Graying but still gritty, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots came to the Super Bowl intending to stave off, for at least one more game, the inevitable onslaught of the NFL's future. Job well done.
by Associated Press

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Duluth teachers, district grapple with how to move on from 'Mockingbird'

Duluth teachers, district grapple with how to move on from 'Mockingbird'

Since Duluth schools pulled "To Kill a Mockingbird,"the debate over selecting an alternative has highlighted just how difficult it can be to teach the iconic book, and how hard it can be to replace it.
by Dan Kraker

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ChangeMakers: Jerry Holt, telling Minnesotan stories for decades

ChangeMakers: Jerry Holt, telling Minnesotan stories for decades

A childhood friend bought Jerry Holt his first camera in high school. His desire to tell stories led him to the Star Tribune in October 1990 after college and three years in the Marine Corps.
by Evan Frost

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Trouble with mail-in ballots could lead to law change

The special election for Senate District 11 has more than two dozen precincts where the only option is to vote by mail. But the short time frame of the race and the unusually cold weather delayed many of those ballots.
by Briana Bierschbach

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Very slippery Monday morning with much colder temperatures arriving

Very slippery Monday morning with much colder temperatures arriving

The atmosphere is going to be jittery this week. A fairly weak disturbance will spread a bit of snow across mainly the southern half of Minnesota on Tuesday. The Twin Cities area might pick up 2 or 3 inches of fresh snow.
by Bill Endersen

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WBEZ documentary: 'Making Obama' Part 1

WBEZ documentary: 'Making Obama' Part 1

From WBEZ Chicago, "Making Obama" tells the story of Barack Obama's climb from the South Side of Chicago to the national stage.
by MPR News Staff

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What’s on MPR News – 2/4/19

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

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Walz poised to endorse Klobuchar if she runs

Walz poised to endorse Klobuchar if she runs

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a "solid, thoughtful leader" who would instantly get his backing should she run for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president.
by Brian Bakst

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