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Stories from December 31, 2019

MPR News Afternoon Update for 12/31/19

Hosted by Steven John.

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Farmers got billions from taxpayers in 2019, and hardly anyone objected

Farmers got billions from taxpayers in 2019, and hardly anyone objected

Farmers got more than $22 billion in government payments in 2019 — and most of the money came through a program that Congress never approved. It's the highest level of farm subsidies in 14 years.
by Dan Charles

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North Korea leader promises look at new weapon soon

North Korea leader promises look at new weapon soon

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the Trump administration of dragging its feet in nuclear negotiations and warned that his country will soon show to the world a new strategic weapon.
by The Associated Press

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Hello, dogo: 2 new breeds get the American Kennel Club's nod

Hello, dogo: 2 new breeds get the American Kennel Club's nod

The club announced Tuesday that the barbet and the dogo Argentino are now part of the 195-breed pack. That means they can compete starting Wednesday in many traditional, breed-judging dog shows. The newcomers can't vie for best in show at the famous Westminster Kennel Club show until 2021, however.
by The Associated Press

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Report: St. Cloud worker used drugs with vulnerable adult

The Minnesota Department of Human Services says an employee at an adult foster care facility in St. Cloud used drugs with a vulnerable adult. The investigation also found that the worker gave the vulnerable adult money to buy drugs.
by The Associated Press

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The 2010s: A decade of protests around the world

The 2010s: A decade of protests around the world

A turbulent decade began with the Arab Spring and ended with a swell of anti-government demonstrations from Latin America to India, Sudan and Hong Kong. Here's a glimpse of protests outside the U.S.
by Hannah Bloch and Claire Harbage

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What's open, what's closed on New Year's Day

What's open, what's closed on New Year's Day

Here's a (noncomprehensive) guide to what's open and what isn't for the first day of 2020.
by Cody Nelson

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Minnesota Gophers to test progress against Auburn in Outback Bowl

Minnesota Gophers to test progress against Auburn in Outback Bowl

P.J. Fleck and 16th-ranked Minnesota relish the challenge of playing ninth-ranked Auburn in the Outback Bowl. Minnesota is in a New Year's Day game for only the second time since making consecutive trips to the Rose Bowl to finish the 1960 and 1961 seasons.
by The Associated Press

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The top moments from a decade that reshaped American politics

The top moments from a decade that reshaped American politics

A tumultuous decade in politics saw everything from the presidency and reelection of the first black president to the rise of the Tea Party and the improbable election of Donald Trump as president.
by Domenico Montanaro

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Crow Wing County hears wide-ranging views on vacation rentals

Crow Wing County hears wide-ranging views on vacation rentals

Crow Wing County commissioners on Tuesday postponed a decision on whether to regulate short-term vacation rental properties after hearing more than two hours of wide-ranging public opinions on the proposal.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Bloody, fast-paced 'Lost Hills' is a superb start for a new series

Bloody, fast-paced 'Lost Hills' is a superb start for a new series

Veteran mystery author Lee Goldberg introduces a compelling new character in Lost Hills: Eve Ronin, rookie detective and unwilling media darling after her arrest of a famous actor went viral.
by Gabino Iglesias

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Twins sign pitchers Homer Bailey, Rich Hill to 1-year deals

Twins sign pitchers Homer Bailey, Rich Hill to 1-year deals

Bailey, a 33-year-old right-hander, made 31 starts between the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics last season. Hill, a 39-year-old lefty, started 13 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
by The Associated Press

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The best dog for the job in Hennepin County

The best dog for the job in Hennepin County

Hennepin County’s emotional support dog, Barrett, is being trained to help bring calm to an often stressful environment.
by Brandt Williams

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The sandwich generation feels the squeeze

The sandwich generation feels the squeeze

Caring for aging parents and children at the same time is stressful. But there are ways to lighten the load.
by Chris Farrell and Kelly Gordon

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How a Senate impeachment trial could work

How a Senate impeachment trial could work

Now that the House has impeached President Trump, the process shifts to the Senate, which will vote on whether to convict him. Here is your guide to the steps and the people that matter.
by Dana Farrington, Alyson Hurt and Sean McMinn

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Bot or not? Mystery over anonymous user retweeted by Trump

Bot or not? Mystery over anonymous user retweeted by Trump

While anonymity on Twitter allows people in oppressive communities to speak freely, it can also allow people to harass others or spread bogus claims without accountability. The user identifies as a California Trump supporter named Sophia, but has changed the name three times since Trump's retweet on Friday. The account was briefly suspended by Twitter on Monday, but Twitter says it was a mistake.
by The Associated Press

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'Such A Fun Age' is a complex, layered page-turner

'Such A Fun Age' is a complex, layered page-turner

The title of Kiley Reid's debut novel works on multiple levels — it can refer to chronological age or political era — and those different meanings echo throughout this funny, uncomfortable book.
by Ilana Masad

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Investigation: Long didn’t violate ethics rules by taking U job

Investigation: Long didn’t violate ethics rules by taking U job

An outside review said Rep. Jamie Long, DFL- Minneapolis, didn’t violate state laws when he took a part-time job at a University of Minnesota think tank, despite evidence that he discussed the job with a university employee for months before it was posted publicly.
by Briana Bierschbach

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Revelers around the world usher in the new decade

Revelers around the world usher in the new decade

Revelers around the globe are bidding farewell to a decade that will be remembered for the rise of social media, the Arab Spring, the #MeToo movement and, of course, President Trump.
by The Associated Press

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MPR News Update

December 31. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Minnesota digging out under clearing skies

Minnesota digging out under clearing skies

The storm dumped 16 inches of snow in Brooks, near Thief River Falls, while Bemidji recorded more than a foot. The Twin Cities airport reported about 3 inches. Snow emergencies are in effect in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
by Tim Nelson

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Protesters attack U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after airstrikes

Protesters attack U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after airstrikes

The attack on the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad by Iran-supported militiamen shows that President Trump's “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran has not crippled its ability to strike at American interests. Trump says Iran will be held “fully responsible."
by The Associated Press

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Crow Wing County considers rules for vacation rentals

Crow Wing County considers rules for vacation rentals

Like many vacation destinations, the Brainerd Lakes area is seeing a surge in properties available through websites like Airbnb and VRBO. But some neighbors have complained that the vacation rentals bring related problems, including noise, late-night parties and too many vehicles.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Aspen Ideas Festival: Adam Gopnik on 'A Thousand Small Sanities'

Aspen Ideas Festival: Adam Gopnik on 'A Thousand Small Sanities'

New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik speaks at the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival about the ideas in his book, "A Thousand Small Sanities." The book is both history and philosophy.

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Vikings embrace underdog status in playoffs, prep for Saints

Vikings embrace underdog status in playoffs, prep for Saints

The Minnesota Vikings will take much of the same cast to the playoffs that helped them reach the NFC championship game two years ago, with even some upgrades in certain spots.
by The Associated Press

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Monday's snowfall totals; new year's thaw

Snow winds down across Minnesota Monday night. Sunshine and higher temperatures likely by New Year’s Day.
by Paul Huttner

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Lawsuit: A boy sickened with E. coli linked to State Fair animals

Lawsuit: A boy sickened with E. coli linked to State Fair animals

The lawsuit says the 4-year-old touched and petted several animals while visiting the Miracle of Birth Center last August. The boy had permanent damage to his kidneys and other organs due to the E. coli infection, according to the lawsuit.
by Peter Cox

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