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Stories from November 11, 2021

Minnesota's music scene with Jill Riley: Netflix plagiarism and a Mitski/Dan Wilson collab

Minnesota's music scene with Jill Riley: Netflix plagiarism and a Mitski/Dan Wilson collab

Jill Riley of The Current shared the latest on Minnesota's music scene with host Cathy Wurzer, including plagiarism allegations surrounding a Netflix movie with a song strikingly similar to a viral parody of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Minnesota musicians, and a new song by Mitski and Dan Wilson.
by Cathy Wurzer

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A day in the life of the first all-women pro esports team in MN

A day in the life of the first all-women pro esports team in MN

Version1, an esports company owned by the Wilf family and based in Eagan, recently put together their first all-female professional esports team, VersionX. Natalia Jackson, a member of the Valorant club, walked host Cathy Wurzer through a day in her life as a woman in pro gaming.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Why do we wear poppies on Veterans' Day? A Minnesotan established the tradition

Why do we wear poppies on Veterans' Day? A Minnesotan established the tradition

On Veterans' Day, you might see people wearing red paper poppies to honor service members. Randy Anderson, the director of the Faribault County Historical Society, told host Cathy Wurzer about the life of Dr. Helen Hughes Hielscher, the pioneering Minnesotan who established the poppy tradition a century ago.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Why heating costs are expected to spike this winter — and how you can prepare

Why heating costs are expected to spike this winter — and how you can prepare

The federal Energy Information Administration says heating costs could go up as much as 30 to 50 percent this winter. MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what's causing the spike — and how Minnesotans can prepare.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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U.S. and China announce surprise climate agreement at COP26 summit

U.S. and China announce surprise climate agreement at COP26 summit

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told NPR the declaration spurs mutual accountability. "I'm absolutely convinced that that is the fastest, best way to get China to move from where it is today," he said.
by Ari Shapiro, Ashley Brown, Noah Caldwell, Mia Venkat and Patrick Jarenwattananon

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Leaders stress need for more veterans centers in Minnesota

Leaders stress need for more veterans centers in Minnesota

Four Minnesota political leaders toured a veterans center in St. Paul while calling for better access to mental health care and readjustment services for those who have served in the military. Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips made the visit on Veterans Day.
by Steve Karnowski, Associated Press

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We wear red poppies on Veterans Day because of this pioneering Minnesotan

On Veterans Day, you might see people wearing red paper poppies to honor service members. Randy Anderson, the director of the Faribault County Historical Society, told host Cathy Wurzer about the woman who established the poppy tradition a century ago.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Racist video brings calls for action at Prior Lake High School

Racist video brings calls for action at Prior Lake High School

A video that targeted a Black 14-year-old freshman includes racial slurs and urges the girl kill herself. The police chief of Savage called the video “horrific, hateful, racist” and said an investigation is underway.
by Tim Nelson, Elizabeth Shockman and Matt Sepic

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Storm rages: Snow up north, flooded streets in Grand Marais

Storm rages: Snow up north, flooded streets in Grand Marais

Snow showers will cover most of Minnesota Thursday into Friday, with accumulations of more than 6 inches up north and 1 to 3 inches across western MN. The Twin Cities could see a coating on grassy areas by Friday morning.
by Paul Huttner

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Song of the Day: 'Good Thing' by Fine Young Cannibals

It’s time to sing in your car! Thursday’s Song of the Day on Minnesota Now came courtesy of Marie Rock, the morning show host at KOJB The Eagle, which broadcasts from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. 
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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A former Marine says the contradictions of war can make you feel insane

A former Marine says the contradictions of war can make you feel insane

Elliot Ackerman served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, during which time, he says, he witnessed the absolute worst — as well as the absolute best — that human beings are capable of.
by Terry Gross

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What does 'Thank you for your service' mean to veterans?

What does 'Thank you for your service' mean to veterans?

The nature of service is complicated. It can be inspiring and life-defining — but also traumatic. What do we mean when we say this phrase to a military veteran? What do veterans hear when that phrase greets them in public, or in private?
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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Police looking for masked man following death during chase of stolen truck

Police looking for masked man following death during chase of stolen truck

Investigators are asking the public for help identifying a masked man, apparently seen in surveillance video connected with a fatal crash during a police pursuit on Tuesday. 
by Tim Nelson

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Children's book 'Calvin' shows how a community can embrace a trans child's identity

Children's book 'Calvin' shows how a community can embrace a trans child's identity

Authors JR and Vanessa Ford's experience with their own child coming out inspired the story of the young transgender protagonist in their new children's book.
by Audie Cornish, Jonaki Mehta and Sarah Handel

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High winds, heavy snow whack northern, western Minnesota; storm intensifies

High winds, heavy snow whack northern, western Minnesota; storm intensifies

Half of Minnesota is under various watches, warnings and advisories due to weather concerns, and the entire state can expect snow and gusty winds as the storm intensifies and colder air filters across the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Unemployment is unavailable to many who lose jobs over vaccination rules

Unemployment is unavailable to many who lose jobs over vaccination rules

Companies are now following through on COVID-19 vaccine requirements, and people across the country are being fired from their jobs after rejecting the jab. In many states, jobless benefits are off-limits for people who refuse to get vaccinated as a requirement for continued employment.

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Bemidji touts quality of life — and a little cash — to recruit new residents

Bemidji is offering people $2,500 to relocate to the area and bring their remote job with them. So far, more than 20 telecommuters have taken the city up on it, from the Twin Cities to as far away as Oregon and Arizona. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, November 11, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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The race is on to save Christmas as retailers fight the supply chain crunch

The race is on to save Christmas as retailers fight the supply chain crunch

Retailers are racing to get merchandise onto store shelves in time for the busy holiday shopping season. But with ports and warehouses overflowing, many orders are tied up in traffic.
by Scott Horsley

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Art Hounds recommend shows that celebrate glamorous, artistic lives

Art Hounds recommend shows that celebrate glamorous, artistic lives

The Sound Unseen Music + Film Festival ends with “Being Bebe” about drag performer Bebe Zahara Benet. At Bryant Lake Bowl, Mistress Ginger tells the stories of Hollywood stars such as Mae West and Marlene Dietrich. And Qui Nguyen’s Dungeon and Dragons comedy “She Kills Monsters” inaugurates in-person performances at a University of Minnesota venue in the Twin Cities.
by Emily Bright

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Bemidji touts quality of life — and a little cash — to recruit new residents

Bemidji touts quality of life — and a little cash — to recruit new residents

Bemidji is offering people $2,500 to relocate to the North Woods and bring their remote job with them. So far, more than 20 telecommuters have taken the city up on it, from the Twin Cities to as far away as Oregon and Arizona.
by Dan Kraker

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Capitol riot suspects had more ties to Oath Keepers than previously known

Capitol riot suspects had more ties to Oath Keepers than previously known

NPR has identified previously undisclosed connections between the far-right anti-government group the Oath Keepers and defendants charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
by Tom Dreisbach

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