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Stories from November 24, 2021

It’s flu season, and here’s why you should get your flu shot this winter

It’s flu season, and here’s why you should get your flu shot this winter

Public health experts warn that with the highly contagious delta variant circulating, it is important to protect communities not just from the coronavirus, but from the flu, too. Here are tips and advice to help mitigate infection risks and prepare for the flu during our second pandemic winter.
by Sarah Gelbard

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The battle over vaccine mandates is heating up in Minnesota

The battle over vaccine mandates is heating up in Minnesota, as Senate Republicans ask for Walz to back off and St. Paul police sue over their city’s policy. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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How are schools faring as we enter Thanksgiving break? A closer look in Rochester

As school staff and families weather yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, some districts, including Rochester Public Schools, are adding extra days off in an effort to combat stress. Kent Pekel, Rochester's interim school superintendent, told host Cathy Wurzer how his district is working to overcome the challenges of the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer

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What are you grateful for this year?

What are you grateful for this year?

Thanksgiving is sometimes the only time of year when we talk about what — and who — we're grateful for. Here are a few responses to that seasonal question.
by Emily Bright

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Supply chain woes, rising costs put stress on food shelves ahead of holidays

Supply chain woes, rising costs put stress on food shelves ahead of holidays

Nonprofits who serve people in need say the demand for food assistance is as high as ever, and so are food costs. Product shortages are forcing some food shelves to get creative with substitutions for Thanksgiving meals. 
by Hannah Yang

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The 2021 holiday movie guide: 100+ new films to get you in the spirit

The 2021 holiday movie guide: 100+ new films to get you in the spirit

Every year, there are more and more holiday movies, many of which revisit the same beloved (?) tropes again and again. NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour takes a thorough look at this year's crop.
by Linda Holmes

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All 3 defendants found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery

All 3 defendants found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery

All three white men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery have been convicted of murder in the fatal shooting that became part of a larger national reckoning on racial injustice.
by The Associated Press

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MN sports roundup: The history of the Gophers-Badgers football rivalry

MN sports roundup: The history of the Gophers-Badgers football rivalry

Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson bring host Cathy Wurzer a heaping helping of Minnesota sports fit for Thanksgiving. This week: the storied history of the Gophers-Badgers football rivalry, the Timberwolves's struggle for .500, the Wild's hot start to the season and a preview of the high school Prep Bowl this weekend.
by Cathy Wurzer

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How to start a restaurant when you don't have much money

How to start a restaurant when you don't have much money

Esperanza and Stephanie Lopez worked for years to open Spurs Bar & Grill in Willmar — and then they took a huge hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris Farrell, who spoke to the mother-daughter team for the podcast "Small Change," told host Cathy Wurzer about their story.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Native American organizations in MN seek capital to replace "dilapidated" facilities

Native American organizations in MN seek capital to replace "dilapidated" facilities

16 Native American organizations in Minnesota are raising funds together to replace buildings they say are outdated and dilapidated. Joe Hobot, president and CEO of American Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center, spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about the importance of a thriving nonprofit sector to the Native American community.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Rochester school superintendent on innovating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Rochester school superintendent on innovating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

As school staff and families weather yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota, some districts, including Rochester Public Schools, are adding extra days off in an effort to combat stress. Kent Pekel, Rochester's interim school superintendent, told host Cathy Wurzer how his district is working to overcome the challenges of the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Appetites: Leftovers from Thanksgiving? Time to feast on these recipes

Appetites: Leftovers from Thanksgiving? Time to feast on these recipes

You’ve done the grocery shopping and the fixings are ready to go for the big Thanksgiving meal. But what about after Thanksgiving? Beth Dooley has a few recipes you’ll want to check out.
by Tom Crann

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South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization

Gov. Kristi Noem instigated the legal fight to strike down the amendment passed by voters in November. Though the Republican governor opposed marijuana legalization as a social ill, her administration's arguments in court centered on technical violations to the state constitution.
by The Associated Press

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Why practicing gratitude is good for your body, mind and soul

What are you thankful for? Guest host Chris Farrell hosts a conversation about giving thanks with a writer, a psychology professor and the director of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. 
by Chris Farrell and Susan Davis

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Minnesota couple helps Afghans escape, build life in America

Minnesota couple helps Afghans escape, build life in America

A Minnesota woman who worked as an agricultural adviser in the hinterlands of Afghanistan has been using her own time and money to get the Afghans who worked for her program out of the country. So far, five of the men and their families have made it out with Caroline Clarin's help.
by The Associated Press

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I'm fully vaccinated and I also had COVID. Do I need a booster?

I'm fully vaccinated and I also had COVID. Do I need a booster?

Booster shots have been authorized for all U.S. adults, and the government is urging people to get them. But what if you've already had COVID and the vaccine?
by Will Stone

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Travel weather stays cooperative through Sunday

A cold front sets the stage for a chilly Thanksgiving, but limited precipitation means holiday travel has few weather impacts.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Temperatures fall during the day Wednesday

A morning cold front increases winds, sends temperatures falling, and brings a few snowflakes across Minnesota.
by Nicole Mitchell

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The Santa experience this year is a mix of laps, distancing

The Santa experience this year is a mix of laps, distancing

Santa is back this year, but he's asking people to be cautious as he continues to tiptoe through the pandemic. There are fewer available Santas this year, which means some are busier than ever. Where it's allowed, some malls and big-box stores are offering Santa's guests a choice of full contact or social distance.
by The Associated Press

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Military personnel training in to help at Minn. hospitals

Nearly four dozen doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists from the U.S. military are on the ground in Minnesota to ease the strain on the state’s health care system. On Thursday, they'll start providing patient care at two hospitals. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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The biggest problem facing the U.S. electric grid isn't demand. It's climate change

The biggest problem facing the U.S. electric grid isn't demand. It's climate change

The infrastructure package sets aside billions for the power grid. That may not be enough to reshape a system not designed for the extreme weather brought about by a warming planet.
by Vincent Acovino

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Emergency care exceeding HCMC's capacity, military begin training in to help

Emergency care exceeding HCMC's capacity, military begin training in to help

Nearly four dozen doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists from the U.S. military are on the ground in Minnesota to ease the strain on the state’s health care system. Gov. Tim Walz asked the Defense Department for the help because hospitals across the state are beyond capacity caring for COVID-19 patients.
by Matt Sepic

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Amid pandemic surge, one health system's workers fill different roles

Amid pandemic surge, one health system's workers fill different roles

To help relieve the staffing crunch, CentraCare offers employees the opportunity to fill in where they’re most needed, even if it’s well outside of their career experience.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Passing the buck: Dollar Tree raises prices to $1.25

Passing the buck: Dollar Tree raises prices to $1.25

The bargain store has been testing the increase for months and says it's not a reaction to the current surge in inflation, though it will help.
by Alina Selyukh

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