Stories from December 30, 2020

Very quiet weather going into the new year
Tuesday’s winter storm brought a fresh blanket of snow statewide with the heaviest snow from west-central to northeastern Minnesota. Now we will be storm-free with gradually milder temperatures into next week.
Health officials defend pace of Minnesota vaccinations, say more to come, as the world marks a year since the first cases of deadly COVID-19 came to light. This is an evening news update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
The best comfort food for an uncomfortable year
Gathering with friends and family this year has been limited to time outdoors or in online meetings, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t finding creative ways to bond over food. One chef tells us about the dishes that keep her connected to the community in a time of isolation.
California has U.S.' 2nd confirmed case of virus variant
California has announced its first confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus. It was the second such case documented in the U.S. in a day. 
Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff name their 10 best films of 2020
Yemeni officials: Blast at Aden airport kills 25, wounds 110
Security officials say a large explosion has struck the airport in the southern Yemeni city of Aden, shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed Cabinet landed there. At least 25 people were killed and 110 wounded in the blast Wednesday.
Ojibwe bands ask for halt on Line 3 construction
The Red Lake and White Earth Bands of Ojibwe have asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals to temporarily stop the ongoing construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline until lawsuits challenging the replacement project’s approval can be heard.
Opposition to Minnesota's bar and restaurant COVID-19 restrictions still bubbling
Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency restrictions on inside drinking and dining run through Jan. 10, and opponents say some establishments continue to quietly defy the order. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he’ll continue to bring cases against businesses that are not complying.
GOP Sen. Hawley will object to Electoral College certification
The move ensures there will be a debate and vote in both the House and the Senate and forces Republicans to go on the record as to whether they believe President Trump's allegations of election fraud.
Moorhead cracks down on payday lending
City officials in Moorhead say a new ordinance regulating pay day lenders is the first of its kind in Minnesota and among the first in the nation.
Black women's groups find health and healing on hikes, but sometimes racism, too
A Black sisterhood of hikers in Colorado now has chapters across the U.S. and Canada, and includes other sports. "Being around nature, it's like grounding yourself," a founder says. "That is vital."
Farmers got a government bailout in 2020, even those who didn't need it
Farmers stand out among those who got federal aid in 2020. Total payments to farmers reached $46 billion, a record. Many farmers received more than $100,000, yet didn't necessarily need the help.
Nashville bomber's girlfriend warned police about him in 2019
More than a year before the explosion that rocked Nashville last week, Anthony Warner's girlfriend told police that he "was building bombs in the RV trailer at his residence."
Portraits of Valor: Doris, 97, and Richard Edge, 96. Navy and Army
Doris and Richard Edge were both called to service during World War II. As Richard fought his way across Europe, Doris rose through the ranks in one of the military’s first programs for women. 
The storm that brought snow across Minnesota has moved out, and the areas of lingering snow wind down through the day.
The city of Minneapolis is beefing up its investigations into allegations of police misconduct in an effort to ensure that officers who are fired by the department don’t get their jobs back.  Mayor Jacob Frey announced Tuesday afternoon that city attorneys will now be involved in every part of investigations into complaints about officer behavior.  This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Louisiana congressman-elect dies after battling COVID-19
Republican Luke Letlow, 41, who was elected earlier this month to represent the Baton Rouge area, died Tuesday from complications from the disease.
Dec. 30 update on COVID-19 in MN: 66 more deaths; 2K new cases
Holiday week statistics are making it hard to say how Minnesota’s COVID-19 outbreak is changing. The death count, however, remains awful, with December the deadliest month by far.
U.K. approves AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine
The British government has ordered 100 million doses, enough to vaccinate 50 million residents.
'End this cruelty': Progressives call on Biden to work to stop executions
As the Trump administration accelerates the pace of federal executions in its final days, some Democrats are feeling more urgency to push the president-elect to act upon taking office.
Victim of daytime carjacking describes sudden attack
She was unloading groceries from her SUV, when a man demanded her wallet and keys at gunpoint. There have been hundreds of carjackings in Minneapolis this year.
Remembering NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson
A program to remember NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who died in 2020 at the age of 101. Margot Lee Shetterly speaks about her book, "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race.”
Officers connected to Breonna Taylor's death could face dismissal
Louisville, Ky., police have taken steps that could result in the firing of two officers connected to Breonna Taylor's death — the one who sought the no-knock search warrant that led detectives to her apartment and another found to have opened fire.
Snow moves out by Wednesday morning
Snow is making its way across Minnesota, and parts of the state could see up to 6 inches of accumulation. The snow moves out quickly overnight Tuesday, with improving conditions Wednesday.