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Stories from December 23, 2020

Winter storm brings whiteouts, heavy snow and closed roads

The National Weather Service is warning that a flash freeze and low visibility due to blowing snow will make travel impossible in some places. The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 250 crashes with 41 injuries as of Wednesday afternoon. This is the MPR News evening update for Dec. 23, 2020. Hosted by Jon Collins. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Jon Collins

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'Right thing to do': Volunteers turned bus into 'MASH unit' at George Floyd Square. They're not done yet.

'Right thing to do': Volunteers turned bus into 'MASH unit' at George Floyd Square. They're not done yet.

Over the summer, Kia Bible and other volunteers turned a bus into a medical unit to heal trauma at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. It's since grown into a nonprofit staffed by volunteers who provide routine care for people in the neighborhood.
by Leo Peterson and Ashlyn Ziegler

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Minnesotans plan for expected federal relief payment

Minnesotans plan for expected federal relief payment

Most Minnesotans are expecting more COVID-19 relief money from the federal government, even as President Donald Trump floats the possibility of vetoing the stimulus package congressional Republicans and Democrats finally settled on. The president says direct payments should be more than three times larger than the $600 the House and Senate came up with.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Trump vetoes defense bill, setting up possible override vote

Trump vetoes defense bill, setting up possible override vote

President Donald Trump has vetoed the annual defense policy bill, following through on threats to veto a measure that has broad bipartisan support in Congress and potentially setting up the first override vote of his presidency.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota’s top bear expert retires

Dave Garshelis stepped down last month from his role as the DNR’s bear project leader. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Garshelis about what he’s learned over the years, and what comes next.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Blizzard warnings expanded to include Twin Cities

Blizzard warnings expanded to include Twin Cities

Blizzard warnings are in effect from much of western, central, and southern Minnesota. The greater Twin Cities area is included in the blizzard warning zone.
by Paul Huttner

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Unexpected gift helps Minnesotans who struggle to afford housing

Unexpected gift helps Minnesotans who struggle to afford housing

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott recently gave $25 million to Minnesota nonprofits, including $7 million to the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. How will that money help the Minnesotans who need it most?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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'There’s always a barrier': One district’s response to student struggles

'There’s always a barrier': One district’s response to student struggles

In a school year that has forced shutdowns and virtual lessons, engagement is faltering and the number of failing grades is doubling. But Northfield Public Schools is experimenting with an extra effort to help  students and families to make sure learning is still happening.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Major winter storm bearing down on Minnesota

Morning rain is expected to quickly change to snow midday. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands

Trump threatens to torpedo COVID relief with new demands

The president assailed the bipartisan $900 billion package in a video he tweeted out Tuesday night and suggested he may not sign the legislation. He called on lawmakers to increase direct payments for most Americans from $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples.
by The Associated Press

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Winter storm raking Minnesota; whiteouts, no-travel warnings in west

Winter storm raking Minnesota; whiteouts, no-travel warnings in west

Almost half of Minnesota is under a blizzard warning, with the rest of the state under warnings and advisories. The Twin Cities is in line for about 6 to 10 inches of snow, while portions of northeastern Minnesota could see even more.
by Nicole Mitchell

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We all know smoke is bad for your health. It could be worse than you think

We all know smoke is bad for your health. It could be worse than you think

Could smoke carry disease-causing microorganisms? "It's a very new idea to think of smoke as having a living component," says Leda Kobziar, co-author of an article that explores this theory.
by Joanne Lu

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'Step in the right direction' as Minnesota nursing home residents get first vaccine doses

'Step in the right direction' as Minnesota nursing home residents get first vaccine doses

The first residents and staff at a St. Cloud nursing home and a Prairie Island Indian Community assisted living facility have received their initial doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. It’s good news for long-term care facilities, which have been hardest hit by the virus. Sixty-five percent of the state's 4,896 deaths have been among long-term care residents.
by Peter Cox

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Retiree living the RV dream, fights a nightmare $12,387 lab fee

Retiree living the RV dream, fights a nightmare $12,387 lab fee

A gynecologist in Carlsbad, N.M., tested the 60-year-old grandmother for various sexually transmitted infections without her knowledge. Her share of the lab fee was more than $3,000.
by Victoria Knight

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Dominion employee sues Trump campaign and allies, alleging defamation

Dominion employee sues Trump campaign and allies, alleging defamation

Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell are among those named in the suit by Eric Coomer, Dominion's product security director, who is in hiding over threats stemming from conspiracy theories about his work.
by Bente Birkeland

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Blizzard warnings include western Twin Cities; 6-12 inches of snow likely

Blizzard warnings include western Twin Cities; 6-12 inches of snow likely

Forecast models are cranking out increasing snowfall totals for the Twin Cities. Morning rain will rapidly change to snow during the midday hours Wednesday. Get to where you need to be by noon and plan to hunker down.
by Paul Huttner

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Trump assails COVID relief bill, suggests he may not sign

Trump assails COVID relief bill, suggests he may not sign

President Donald Trump is blasting the bipartisan $900 billion pandemic relief package that Congress just passed and is suggesting that he may not sign it. Trump complained in a video that he tweeted out Tuesday night that the bill delivered too much money to foreign countries, but not enough to Americans. 
by The Associated Press

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Trump pardons 15, commutes 5 sentences, including GOP allies

Trump pardons 15, commutes 5 sentences, including GOP allies

President Donald Trump has pardoned 15 people, including Republican allies, a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad.
by The Associated Press

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Fact check: What Pence and Congress can and can't do about the election

Fact check: What Pence and Congress can and can't do about the election

Some Republicans have indicated they will seek to object to the formal electoral vote count. There is a good chance it will become a spectacle, but next to no chance it will change the outcome.
by Brian Naylor

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U.S. negotiating for millions more vaccine doses from Pfizer

U.S. negotiating for millions more vaccine doses from Pfizer

The U.S. government is negotiating with Pfizer to acquire tens of millions of additional vaccine doses in exchange for helping the pharmaceutical giant gain better access to manufacturing supplies.
by The Associated Press

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