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Stories from December 17, 2019

Report: Labor trafficking common in Minnesota’s construction industry

A Minneapolis workers’ advocacy group has compiled several dozen stories from Latino immigrants who’ve alleged exploitation and other forms of wage theft while working on construction jobs. The report comes on the heels of Hennepin County’s first-ever prosecution of a labor-trafficking case, which ended in a guilty plea last month.
by Riham Feshir

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Ramsey County settles lawsuit over hijab removal

Ramsey County settles lawsuit over hijab removal

The plaintiff will receive $120,000 for what she says was a violation of her religious beliefs. She says she hopes it will protect other Muslim women from similar treatment.
by Tim Nelson

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McConnell: 'I'm not impartial' about impeachment

McConnell: 'I'm not impartial' about impeachment

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that the Trump impeachment process has been a political one rather than a judicial one. "I'm not impartial about this at all," he said.
by Kelsey Snell

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House passes $1.4 trillion federal spending bill

House passes $1.4 trillion federal spending bill

The Democratic-controlled House has passed a $1.4 trillion government-wide spending package, handing President Trump a victory on his U.S.-Mexico border fence. It also gives Democrats spending increases across a swath of domestic programs.
by The Associated Press

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15 Democrats secure spot on Minnesota presidential ballot

15 Democrats secure spot on Minnesota presidential ballot

The names were submitted by the Minnesota DFL to the secretary of state’s office. There’s a realistic chance some candidates will have dropped out by the March 3 primary.
by Brian Bakst

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Fugitive sentenced to life in prison for murder

Fugitive sentenced to life in prison for murder

A Minnesota woman who led authorities on a cross-country manhunt pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Florida courtroom to fatally shooting a woman who prosecutors said was targeted because the two looked alike.
by The Associated Press

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Duluth bans 'conversion therapy' for minors

Duluth bans 'conversion therapy' for minors

Advocacy groups have been trying get state and local governments to prohibit the therapy from being used on minors. The controversial treatment is designed to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person. Duluth’s action follows a similar ordinance just passed in Minneapolis.
by Tim Nelson

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Employers post more jobs in October in sign of solid economy

Employers post more jobs in October in sign of solid economy

U.S. employers posted more job openings in October, a sign the job market remains strong. The Labor Department said Tuesday that the number of available positions rose 3.3 percent to nearly 7.3 million.
by The Associated Press

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What’s next for medical cannabis in Minnesota?

What’s next for medical cannabis in Minnesota?

Minnesota regulators unveiled plans to expand the state’s medical marijuana program. MPR News host Angela Davis examines who will have access to it and what it means for the future of medical marijuana in Minnesota.
by Jeffrey Bissoy and Angela Davis

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The Thread: Books for dog lovers

The Thread: Books for dog lovers

On this week’s Thread, Kerri Miller recommends three books that would make great gifts for the dog lover in your life.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Policast: Ensuring an accurate census

Ensuring an accurate census; Twin Metals copper nickel mine nearly ready for public review
by Mike Mulcahy

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The politics of impeachment

The politics of impeachment

After three weeks of public hearings, views of impeachment haven’t changed. Is the process too partisan to be effective?
by Kerri Miller, Marcheta Fornoff and Kelly Gordon

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Tuesday's forecast brings light snow and colder air

Light snow and another blast of subzero temperatures accompany a cold front moving across Minnesota Tuesday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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MPR News Update

December 17. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

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The Twin Metals mine is about to begin its public review process. Here's why it’s so important

The Twin Metals mine is about to begin its public review process. Here's why it’s so important

Before the end of the year, Twin Metals plans to submit its official plans for an underground copper-nickel mine to state and federal regulators. That’s a huge step for the contentious project, which will be located just outside the Boundary Waters, because it will kick off the mine's environmental review and permitting. That process is long and complex. It’s also controversial.
by Dan Kraker

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Impeachment timeline: From early calls to a full House vote

Impeachment timeline: From early calls to a full House vote

As the House prepares to debate two articles of impeachment against President Trump Wednesday, a look back at how Congress got here.
by Brian Naylor

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Testing for ‘forever chemicals’ widens as cities wait for solutions

Testing for ‘forever chemicals’ widens as cities wait for solutions

Nearly two years after Minnesota settled a lawsuit with 3M over water contamination in the eastern Twin Cities metro area, residents of the affected communities have been waiting on a plan outlining how the settlement money will be spent to provide safe drinking water for the long term.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Journalist Noam Levey on health care access and affordability

His research shows why many Americans have difficulty paying for health care — even if they have health insurance provided by their employer.

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Scrunchies are cool again. Hair's how they staged a comeback

Scrunchies are cool again. Hair's how they staged a comeback

A 2003 “Sex And The City” episode ridiculed the bulky hair tie as profoundly unfashionable. But now scrunchies are back, baby! How does a trend go from being so passé — to stylish again?
by Alina Selyukh

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Vaping nicotine linked to increased risk of chronic lung disease

Vaping nicotine linked to increased risk of chronic lung disease

A new study suggests the use of e-cigarettes can increase smokers' and nonsmokers' risk of developing chronic lung disease, including conditions such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma.
by Allison Aubrey

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Wisconsin man found guilty in deaths of Girl Scouts, parent

Twenty-two-year-old Colten Treu pleaded no contest Monday to four counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Treu also pleaded guilty to hit-and-run involving great bodily harm. He earlier had pleaded not guilty in the November 2018 crash.
by The Associated Press

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