Stories from December 6, 2021

Walz names long-term care sites to get Guard staffing help
The governor also announced plans to recruit and train at least 1,000 certified nursing assistants to deploy to long-term care facilities by the end of January. 
Both St. Paul and Minneapolis will be getting new police chiefs next year. Minneapolis chief Medaria Arradondo joined St. Paul chief Todd Axtell in not seeking reappointment. This is an MPR News evening update for Dec 6, 2021. Hosted by Nathan Stevens. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Examining Minneapolis police chief Arradondo's retirement, legacy
After 32 years in the Minneapolis Police Department and four years as chief of police, Medaria Arradondo will retire in January. MPR News reporter Matt Sepic and editor Brandt Williams joined host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the context of the announcement and Arradondo’s legacy.
NASA names 2021 astronaut candidates as it plans for moon missions
The group of would-be astronauts includes four women and reflects a broad stretch of America, from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Anil Menon, born and raised in Minneapolis, is among the class of candidates.
Trump's social media deal is being investigated by regulators
Regulators including the SEC are investigating a planned merger between a shell company and former President Donald Trump's social media startup.
Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen on finding balance in the pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of us are struggling under heavy stress from concerns about health and life changes. Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen from the “Millennial Health” podcast joined host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about finding balance and making big life decisions, especially as a young adult.
Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, joined Minnesota Now host Cathy Wurzer to discuss the omicron variant and another COVID winter.
Ferocious storm delivers up north; a more wintry week ahead
Forecast models diverge on snowfall chances this week. Most models agree on a likely light snowy dusting. The snowfall zone favors the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota.
It’s been a surprising couple of weeks for Peter McGinn of Minneapolis. McGinn became the first Minnesotan to contract the new omicron strain of COVID-19 after he was at a convention in New York City.
Monday’s Song of the Day comes from Will Moore, the music director at WTIP in Grand Marais, Minn., — so you know it features some great Northland sounds.
Osterholm on what we know about omicron — and another pandemic winter
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Will it make people less sick than delta? Could it evade vaccines? Infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm briefed host Cathy Wurzer.
Kennedy Center honors creative excellence in the arts at annual gala
Motown founder Berry Gordy, opera star Justino Díaz, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, entertainer Bette Midler and television impresario Lorne Michaels were among those celebrated this weekend.
101-year-old returns to Pearl Harbor to remember those lost
Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans are gathering in Hawaii this week to remember those killed in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Those attending will observe a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the minute the bombing began. The ceremony marks the 80th anniversary of the attack that launched the U.S. into World War II.
New women's soccer team raises $1 million in investment from Minnesotans
A bunch of ordinary people in Minnesota and beyond just invested $1 million in a new local women’s soccer team. Andrea Yoch, president of Minnesota Women’s Soccer, spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about the community ownership drive and the future of the club.
Arradondo won't seek a new term as Minneapolis police chief
Medaria Arradondo said Monday he’ll retire from the department next month. Mayor Jacob Frey said he expected to announce an interim chief in the coming days along with plans for a national search to find a permanent leader.
Cold and windy, then another snow chance Tuesday
Minnesota is still feeling impacts from a strong weekend snow storm, as high winds and much colder air continue to cause problems.
Pope returning home after trip focused on helping migrants
Pope Francis ended his visit to Greece on Monday by encouraging its young people to follow their dreams and not be tempted by the consumerist “sirens” of today that promise easy pleasures.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi gets 4 years in trial seen as political
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of incitement and another charge and sentenced to four years in prison. The civilian leader was ousted in a de facto coup this year. Her trial has been widely criticized as yet a further attempt by the country’s military rulers to roll back the democratic gains of recent years.
The State Patrol reported that from 5 p.m. Saturday through 11 a.m. Sunday, there were 261 crashes on Minnesota highways along with 115 vehicle spinouts and four jackknifed semis. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, December 6, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Criminal hackers are now going after phone lines, too
One way or another, most phone calls these days involve the internet. Cybersecurity experts say that makes us vulnerable in ways we might not realize.
China attacks potential U.S. diplomatic boycott of Olympics
China on Monday threatened to take “firm countermeasures” if the U.S. proceeds with a diplomatic boycott of February’s Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
Carbon trading gets a green light from the U.N., and Brazil hopes to earn billions
Carbon offsets got a big boost from November's U.N. climate summit. New rules could make it easier for companies to pay for carbon-cutting projects in other countries, rather than doing it themselves.
Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame
An analysis by NPR shows that since the vaccine rollout, counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump have had more than twice the COVID mortality rates of those that voted for Joe Biden.
In Rochester rental crunch, Afghan refugees struggle to find housing
Rochester is expected to welcome 20 refugee families from Afghanistan by early next year — and some have already arrived in the region. But distant landlords and a chronic shortage of affordable housing in the city have made it hard for refugee families to find a place to live. 
 MN House starts work on redistricting that courts will likely finish
The job of redrawing the districts of the Minnesota Legislature is already underway. Both Democrats and Republicans in the Minnesota House have come up with plans, but as you might expect, the parties disagree on what the new districts should look like.
Winter storm update; strong winds and arctic cold arrive overnight, linger Monday
A winter storm will continue to dump heavy snow in parts of northeastern Minnesota Sunday night. We’ll have strong winds along with plunging temps Sunday night, followed by a very cold Monday. We have the forecast details, including a look at the week ahead.