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Stories from December 11, 2020

Owner of St. Cloud's Press Bar faces federal arson counts

Owner of St. Cloud's Press Bar faces federal arson counts

The owner of a historic St. Cloud bar is accused of burning down the Press Bar and Parlor, a century-old establishment in downtown St. Cloud, then filing insurance claims over $1 million.
by The Associated Press

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Supreme Court shuts door on Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn election

Supreme Court shuts door on Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn election

The Supreme Court has rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court. 
by Nina Totenberg and Barbara Sprunt

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Wesley Morris on culture, movies and being a critic

Wesley Morris on culture, movies and being a critic

MPR News’ Angela Davis talks with critic and podcast host Wesley Morris about his work, politics and his picks for the top performances of 2020. 
by Angela Davis

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Still searching for a white Christmas

Much of Minnesota's landscape is still snow-free. Few snow chances in sight.
by Paul Huttner

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Frey signs Minneapolis city budget with police funding cuts

Frey signs Minneapolis city budget with police funding cuts

The budget preserves Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's proposed staffing levels for the city’s Police Department. It also takes nearly $8 million from the department to pay for crime prevention programs, mental health crisis response teams and other initiatives.
by MPR News Staff

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Wisconsin hospital leader on getting ready for vaccinations

Wisconsin hospital leader on getting ready for vaccinations

Dr. Jeff Bahr with the Advocate Aurora Health system in Wisconsin says his hospitals are "ready to go" for vaccinations. Staff who treat COVID-19 patients will be first in line, he says.
by James Doubek and Ari Shapiro

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Limited COVID-19 vaccine supply raises bioethics, equity questions

Limited COVID-19 vaccine supply raises bioethics, equity questions

The number of people who want a COVID-19 vaccine far outweighs the number of doses currently available. MPR host Kerri Miller asked a vaccine researcher and a bioethicist about the best practices and challenges of distributing vaccines in a global pandemic.
by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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After delays, Senate approves bill to avoid government shutdown ahead of deadline

After delays, Senate approves bill to avoid government shutdown ahead of deadline

The Senate passed a bill funding federal agencies before a Friday night deadline. It was stalled as senators fought over other legislation. It also passed the defense bill with a veto-proof majority.
by Claudia Grisales and Kelsey Snell

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Three Minnesota Republicans in Congress back Texas lawsuit to throw out Electoral College votes

Minnesota Congressmen Tom Emmer, Jim Hagedorn and Pete Stauber are among more than 100 Republican lawmakers who have publicly backed a Texas case. That lawsuit asks the nation’s highest court to invalidate Electoral College votes in four key states that went for Democrat Joe Biden. This is an MPR News afternoon update for Dec. 11, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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FDA adviser: Vaccine to be OK'd in days, but 'normal' may not return until next fall

FDA adviser: Vaccine to be OK'd in days, but 'normal' may not return until next fall

The Food and Drug Administration's authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine could come in a day or two, a member of an FDA expert panel says. But he says it may be late 2021 before normalcy returns.
by Noel King

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State begins issuing payments to unemployed teens

State begins issuing payments to unemployed teens

Minnesota has begun making payments to unemployed high school student workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 after a court sided with the teens.
by Tim Pugmire

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Officer charged in Floyd’s killing asks to push trial to July

Officer charged in Floyd’s killing asks to push trial to July

A defense attorney for one of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s killing is asking the judge in the case to push the trial back until next summer because he says prosecutors have dragged their feet in turning over important evidence.
by Jon Collins

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The Five: A card game, acapella dancing and more for early winter

MPR News director of programming Steph Curtis stopped by with an early winter edition of “The Five,” where she recommends things to read, listen to and experience right now.
by Kerri Miller, Stephanie Curtis and Kelly Gordon

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Weekend forecast: It'll feel like Dec.; Flake chance far SE Minn. Saturday

There isn’t any drama in our weekend weather in Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. There will be snow and some slippery roads in Iowa and far southern Wisconsin Friday evening into Saturday. We have your weekend forecast details. We also take a look at the blizzard of Dec. 2010 that caused the collapse of the Metrodome roof.
by Ron Trenda

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A warm start to December

December temperatures have been averaging 9 to 12 degrees warmer than normal across much of Minnesota, according to retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley.

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‘You have this feeling of floating’: Skaters delight in perfect lake ice in northern Minn.

‘You have this feeling of floating’: Skaters delight in perfect lake ice in northern Minn.

Matthew Baxley, co-host of WTIP’s Boundary Waters Podcast, is among the skating fanatics who have been putting in as much ice time as they can before the weather changes. He went out earlier this week with friends, and sent Morning Edition an audio postcard from their day.  
by Cathy Wurzer and Britta Greene

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College students weigh the risks of holiday travel

College students weigh the risks of holiday travel

For many college students this year, the decision to go home for the holidays is not an easy one. Three college students recently reflected on their 2020 Thanksgiving experience and what their plans are for winter break.
by Darian Leddy

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Cooler and cloudier for Friday

Despite a mild morning, temperatures rise little across Minnesota Friday under mostly cloudy skies.
by Nicole Mitchell

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State lawmakers reach partial deal on COVID relief

The agreement would direct more than $200 million in aid to small businesses, but does not include key proposals for workers and families. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, December 11, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Biden, Harris named Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

Biden, Harris named Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

Time's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal says President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris won the honor for "changing the American story, for showing that the forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division, for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world."
by The Associated Press

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A coming-out journey made easier with friendship

A coming-out journey made easier with friendship

Before 90-year-old Kenneth Felts revealed to his family that he is gay, he built a friendship with another gay man, whose ability to be himself inspired Felts. He opened up "another world" for Felts.
by Sylvie Lubow

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Met Council wants help picking next three fast transit line routes

Met Council wants help picking next three fast transit line routes

Three new bus rapid transit lines are slated for the Twin Cities, to be completed between 2025 and 2030. With 10 options, the transit agency needs to narrow the list, and wants public input.
by Tim Nelson

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Tears, nightmares and exhaustion: Burnout is the new normal for hospital workers

Tears, nightmares and exhaustion: Burnout is the new normal for hospital workers

As the weeks go by with hospitals beds full and staff in short supply, doctors and nurses are under incredible pressure. One Minnesota doctor says she’s worried it’ll lead to an exodus of providers after the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer

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He's making a safety list, checking it twice: Santa adjusts to pandemic visits

He's making a safety list, checking it twice: Santa adjusts to pandemic visits

With surging COVID-19 cases nationwide and new restrictions in place throughout Minnesota to help curb the spread of the disease, Santa’s lap is off limits this year. That has spurred creativity in Santa's workshops through the use of masks, plexiglass and Zoom.
by Madison Moroder

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Protesters hang on as construction continues on Line 3 pipeline project

Protesters hang on as construction continues on Line 3 pipeline project

Activists focus on disrupting construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline before it reaches the Mississippi River near Palisade, Minn. Some have taken to occupying trees in the line of construction with no plans to come down. 
by Evan Frost

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Emmer, Stauber, Hagedorn back bid to get Supreme Court to overturn Biden's win

Emmer, Stauber, Hagedorn back bid to get Supreme Court to overturn Biden's win

The Texas lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate President-elect Joe Biden’s victory has quickly become a conservative litmus test. Many Republicans, including Minnesota’s three GOP representatives, are signing onto the case even as some have predicted it will fail. 
by The Associated Press

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Record year for wind turbine shipments good for Minnesota economy, environment

Record year for wind turbine shipments good for Minnesota economy, environment

Ships carried more than half a million tons of wind energy cargo through the Port of Duluth this year, setting a record and signaling opportunity for Minnesota’s economy and environment.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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