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Stories from December 26, 2019

Baby Jesus figure returned to St. Cloud Nativity scene

The executive director of the Stearns History Museum says a staffer at U.S. Bank noticed someone out by the manager around noon Thursday. When the staffer got to the Nativity scene, that person was gone, and the baby Jesus figure was put back where he belongs.
by The Associated Press

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Cube Critics list their four film faves of 2019

There have been a lot of great movies released in 2019, and in this episode Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff fearlessly list their four favorite films of the year. Now we just have to wait to see if the Academy agrees.....

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Redwood tree falls, kills Minnesota man in California park

Redwood tree falls, kills Minnesota man in California park

An Edina man died on Christmas Eve while walking on a marked dirt trail with two other people in the park north of San Francisco famous for its towering trees, authorities say.
by The Associated Press

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Ask a ‘sotan: Why should we get out of the left lane?

Ask a ‘sotan: Why should we get out of the left lane?

What’s the point behind a law urging drivers to merge to the right lane? We talk to the Minnesota State Patrol to find out.
by Matt Mikus

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A look back on Francis Drake Hotel's history

A look back on Francis Drake Hotel's history

Minneapolis city leaders announced Thursday that the Francis Drake Hotel, which saw heavy damage in a Christmas Day fire, will be partially torn down. The hotel, which was being used as a temporary shelter for the homeless, has a history that dates back almost a century.
by Mike Moen

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Memorable in motion: Our 10 favorite videos of 2019

Memorable in motion: Our 10 favorite videos of 2019

Our favorite videos of 2019 have taken us to places we don’t often see. They have made us laugh, taught us something new or delighted us.
by MPR News Staff

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Supporters hope federal family leave law will pump up state effort

Supporters hope federal family leave law will pump up state effort

A new law guarantees paid parental leave to federal employees. Backers of a Minnesota plan to require private employees to offer leave for dependent care say that could give momentum to their cause.
by Brian Bakst

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Man suspected of abducting child, assaulting mother in custody; child safe

Man suspected of abducting child, assaulting mother in custody; child safe

Authorities said a woman was assaulted in Chisago County and her 6-month-old child was forcibly taken from her. The child is safe. The sheriff’s office said Friday the man was now in custody.
by MPR News Staff

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President Jay Barnes on what’s next for Bethel University

President Jay Barnes on what’s next for Bethel University

In December, private Christian school Bethel University announced budget cuts and staff reductions to deal with declining enrollment. What’s next for the school of about 4,500 students? And how will schools like Bethel stay competitive as fewer young people identify as being religious?
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Greenest way to get rid of your Christmas tree?

Greenest way to get rid of your Christmas tree?

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture warns that Christmas trees brought in from outside the state may contain pests harmful to the environment. The agency is urging people not to toss trees or holiday greenery into the woods or compost.
by John Enger

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Wisconsin city mulls dumping old ban on throwing snowballs

Wisconsin city mulls dumping old ban on throwing snowballs

For decades, those who have participated in snowball fights in one Wisconsin city have risked getting in trouble with the law. But that may be about to change.
by The Associated Press

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Afternoon Update

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How to help the victims of the Drake Hotel fire in Minneapolis

How to help the victims of the Drake Hotel fire in Minneapolis

Firefighters say they’ve put out the Christmas Day blaze that displaced about 250 people. A spokesperson for the city says part of the building will be torn down due to safety concerns.
by Marianne Combs and Mark Zdechlik

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How to make new habits stick in 2020

How to make new habits stick in 2020

At their core, New Year’s resolutions are about building better habits, and author Gretchen Rubin has mastered the art of making them stick. She shared her tips Thursday.
by Chris Farrell and Marcheta Fornoff

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Officer shows compassion after citing woman for taking food

Sarah Lindgren's husband died unexpectedly a few years ago, leaving her to care for numerous children and grandchildren. Money was tight and she had been rationing food. "It had been awhile since we'd had a good meal," Lindgren said. "I was determined to give them a good meal no matter what it cost me."
by The Associated Press

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The climate crisis is changing consumer demand — and corporate investments

Oil giant Chevron recently wrote down over $10 billion in “stranded” assets — fossil fuel infrastructure and investments that are losing value as the energy market changes.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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In 2019, the legal fight over opioids unraveled into confusion and infighting

In 2019, the legal fight over opioids unraveled into confusion and infighting

This was meant to be the year we answered a big question about the deadly opioid epidemic: Will drug companies that make and sell prescription pain medications be held liable? That clarity never came.
by Brian Mann

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Thursday's weather brings fog to some, snow to others

The Thursday morning commute is slow in some areas again due to dense fog, and parts of northern Minnesota woke up to measurable snow.
by Nicole Mitchell

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MPR News Update

December 26. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Lindsey Vonn goes social with P.K. Subban marriage proposal

Lindsey Vonn goes social with P.K. Subban marriage proposal

“On our 2 year anniversary, in a ‘non traditional’ move, I asked PK to marry me and he said, Yes," Vonn tweeted on Christmas Day. "Yes (bashful emoji) ! Women aren't the only ones who should get engagement rings!"
by The Associated Press

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As Minnesota ages, need for morticians becomes a life and death issue

As Minnesota ages, need for morticians becomes a life and death issue

Conversations with a young mortician in rural Minnesota reveal the challenges of recruiting new blood to a vital but difficult vocation, one that society seems to value only at its darkest hour.
by John Enger

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Intelligence Squared debate: Parenting is overrated

Intelligence Squared debate: Parenting is overrated

An Intelligence Squared debate about nature versus nurture.

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Dense fog and areas of freezing fog into Thursday, with snow to the north

Dense fog and areas of freezing fog into Thursday, with snow to the north

Dense fog will linger over much of Minnesota and western Wisconsin from Wednesday evening into early Thursday. Some areas will also have freezing fog or freezing drizzle, with snow in the mix to the north.
by Ron Trenda

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