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Stories from December 2, 2021

COVID Omicron variant identified in Minnesota

State health officials have identified the first case of the omicron variant of the COVID virus in Minnesota. This is an MPR News Evening update for Dec 2, 2021. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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MnDOT brings back Minnesota snowplow naming contest

MnDOT brings back Minnesota snowplow naming contest

It’s back. MnDOT is accepting names for snowplows again this year. Submissions open through December 15.
by Paul Huttner

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Principal who organized LGBTQ flag display files suit against Marshall's school district

Principal who organized LGBTQ flag display files suit against Marshall's school district

A school administrator has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Marshall public school district for alleged discrimination and removal from her position after hanging an LGBTQ Pride flag in the school cafeteria as part of an inclusivity project.
by Hannah Yang

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What do we know about the omicron variant in Minnesota?

What do we know about the omicron variant in Minnesota?

State health officials expected to find the new omicron variant in Minnesota with an ability to detect changes in the coronavirus using gene sequencing. And on Thursday, they publicly confirmed the first case in a Minnesota resident. Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the new variant and its impact on the state’s COVID-19 response.
by Peter Cox

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House approves a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown

House approves a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown

The measure now heads to the Senate, where prospects for quick passage are in doubt ahead of a Friday deadline. A few Republicans have said they'd object to fast-tracking the bill.
by Deirdre Walsh

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What we know about the omicron variant

What we know about the omicron variant

A new variant of the COVID-19 virus has emerged: the omicron variant. Guest host Catharine Richert talked with infectious disease specialists about what we know about the variant, what we don’t know and what it means at this stage in the pandemic. 
by Samantha Matsumoto and Catharine Richert

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How students and families have responded to St. Paul's school closure plan

How students and families have responded to St. Paul's school closure plan

The St. Paul School Board voted Wednesday night to close six schools in the district, with plans to eventually reopen four of them. Sarita Toledo, a student at one of three schools that was saved from closure, and Becky Dernbach, a reporter who’s been covering the story for Sahan Journal, told host Cathy Wurzer how students and parents have responded to the district’s plan.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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MN sports roundup: Jerry Kill will return; Win-nesota?

MN sports roundup: Jerry Kill will return; Win-nesota?

Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson are back with another update on Minnesota sports for host Cathy Wurzer. This week: Jerry Kill is set to return to the Gopher football stadium after swearing never to set foot in it again, and Nelson displays a sign of delirium: optimism about Minnesota sports.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Two HIV outbreaks in Minnesota highlight needed awareness

Two HIV outbreaks in Minnesota highlight needed awareness

With World AIDS Day held on Wednesday, Minnesota health officials are highlighting two ongoing HIV outbreaks in the state.
by Dan Kraker

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The latest from state health officials on Minnesota’s first omicron case

Minnesota has its first reported case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Reporter Catherine Richert joined host Cathy Wurzer to share the latest details on the case from the Minnesota Department of Health.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Reporter Catharine Richert with the latest on Minn.'s first case of omicron

Reporter Catharine Richert with the latest on Minn.'s first case of omicron

Minnesota has its first reported case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Reporter Catherine Richert joined host Cathy Wurzer to share the latest details on the case from the Minnesota Department of Health.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Astronomers find a new planet that's mostly made of iron

Astronomers find a new planet that's mostly made of iron

NASA's TESS telescope finds a small, iron-rich planet which could help explain the origins of Mercury, the innermost planet in our solar system
by Nell Greenfieldboyce

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The 'Home Alone' house could be yours for a night

The 'Home Alone' house could be yours for a night

The McCallister family home will be available to rent on Airbnb later this month. The overnight stay will include junk food, booby traps and "ample opportunity to scream into the mirror."
by Rachel Treisman

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As omicron looms, U.S. is still battling the delta wave

As omicron looms, U.S. is still battling the delta wave

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.
by The Associated Press

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Michigan 15-year-old charged in Oxford High School shooting

Michigan 15-year-old charged in Oxford High School shooting

The 15-year-old was charged as an adult with two dozen crimes, including murder, attempted murder and terrorism for a shooting Tuesday at Oxford High School.
by The Associated Press

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Latest on COVID: Omicron variant surfaces in Minnesota

Latest on COVID: Omicron variant surfaces in Minnesota

A Hennepin County man who recently attended a massive anime convention in New York City tested positive. “While this is clearly something to take seriously … it is not a reason for panic,” Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said.
by Brian Bakst

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Light snow possible late Thursday

Behind a cold front, temperatures on Thursday turn slightly cooler but still stay above average. Following a dry day, precipitation clips across the state in the evening.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices

Christmas tree buyers face reduced supplies, higher prices

Even Christmas trees aren't immune to the pandemic-induced shortages and inflation plaguing the economy. Extreme weather and supply chain disruptions have reduced supplies of both real and artificial trees this season. Industry officials say American shoppers should expect to have fewer choices and pay up to 30 percent more for both types this Christmas.
by The Associated Press

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St. Paul school board approves plan that closes, changes 6 schools

Galtier, Jackson, John A. Johnson, Parkway and L’Etoile du Nord schools will close by June 2022. The board also voted to close Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary by the end of the 2022-23 school year. Two of these schools have no reopening plan, while others will close temporarily and reopen with different programming. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 2, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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MLB owners lock out players, 1st work stoppage since 1995

MLB owners lock out players, 1st work stoppage since 1995

Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport's collective bargaining agreement expired Wednesday night and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.
by The Associated Press

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St. Paul school board approves plan that closes, changes 6 schools

St. Paul school board approves plan that closes, changes 6 schools

The St. Paul Public Schools board decided 5-2 to close Galtier, Jackson, John A. Johnson, Parkway and L’Etoile du Nord lower campus schools by June 2022. They also voted to close Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary by the end of the 2022-23 school year. Two of these schools have no reopening plan, while others will close temporarily and reopen with different programming.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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What you can expect when vaccines become available for kids under 5

What you can expect when vaccines become available for kids under 5

Parents of children under 5 have to wait a little bit longer before COVID vaccines are available. In the meantime pediatricians are still working to increase vaccinations in the 5-11 age group.
by Wynne Davis

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Debt collectors can now text, email and DM you on social media

Debt collectors can now text, email and DM you on social media

Officials say the new rules are a necessary update to an outdated law, but consumer advocates worry that borrowers risk missing key information or falling prey to scammers.
by Joe Hernandez

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Sending the right message about the omicron variant is tricky

Sending the right message about the omicron variant is tricky

Scientists may not know for a couple weeks yet how risky the new coronavirus variant will be to public health. But getting out front now about what is known helps dispel misinformation, they say.
by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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Biden's new winter COVID plan will reimburse you for at-home tests

Biden's new winter COVID plan will reimburse you for at-home tests

Among his new steps to fight COVID-19 surges this winter: requiring private health insurers to reimburse people for at-home tests. It also calls for more people to get vaccines and boosters.
by Tamara Keith

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Art Hounds: Art from the missed photograph

Art Hounds: Art from the missed photograph

Two shows this month combine visual art and writing: Charles Matson Lume’s light-based art draws inspiration from Minnesota poets, and Rebecca Pavlenko focuses on the photos “that got away.” Plus, The MN Songwriter Showcase brings veteran and emerging singers together twice a week to perform.
by Emily Bright

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Kimberly Potter trial: 12th juror seated, 2 to go

Kimberly Potter trial: 12th juror seated, 2 to go

Prosecutors, defense attorneys and a Hennepin County judge pushed ahead Thursday on jury selection in the trial of the former Brooklyn Center police officer charged in the Daunte Wright killing. A full jury should be set by the end of Friday.
by Nina Moini, Jon Collins and Matt Sepic

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