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Stories from December 7, 2021

Minnesota state government is getting a gusher of cash, already touching off political battles

The state has a money gusher pouring in revenue, kicking off a political battle over the proceeds. Also, we know who the next Minneapolis police chief will be, at least temporarily. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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COVID-19 pills are on the way. Here's what you need to know.

COVID-19 pills are on the way. Here's what you need to know.

Federal officials are expected to soon greenlight new antiviral pills that could minimize the impact of infection in COVID-19 patients. Dr. David Boulware, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, joined host Cathy Wurzer to share what listeners should know about the new drugs.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up

A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up

A COVID-19 vaccine from a Canadian biotech firm has been found effective at preventing moderate to severe disease. It could soon become the first plant-based vaccine authorized for human use.
by Joe Palca

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Omicron boosters are in the works, but will they be needed?

Omicron boosters are in the works, but will they be needed?

Omicron has many more mutations than previous variants of concern, a fact that raises questions about how effective existing vaccines will be against the new form of the coronavirus.
by Sydney Lupkin

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We just wanted a report on Spotify Wrapped. Siri had other plans.

We just wanted a report on Spotify Wrapped. Siri had other plans.

Our producer Alex Cheng was trying to bring us a report on Spotify Wrapped — but then Siri woke up on his phone and cut in with some stats of her own. Turns out, Siri can be kind of mean.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Native American students unearth troubled history at U of M Morris

Native American students unearth troubled history at U of M Morris

Archival research suggests as many as seven students from the Morris Industrial School for Indians could be buried on campus. Today, Native American students attend the university for free — but there’s a cost to reckoning with the site’s troubled history.
by Tiffany Bui

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Biden pledged to forgive $10,000 in student loan debt. Here's what he's done so far

Biden pledged to forgive $10,000 in student loan debt. Here's what he's done so far

President Joe Biden provided hundreds of thousands of borrowers with debt relief this year — but his campaign promise to cancel at least $10,000 of student debt per person remains unfulfilled.
by Cory Turner

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Two different solutions to plummeting school enrollment in the Twin Cities

Declining enrollment in Minneapolis and St. Paul schools has accelerated during the pandemic, putting the districts in a financial crunch. With federal stimulus dollars on the way, why are these neighbors facing the same problem with different solutions? Education reporter Beth Hawkins brought host Cathy Wurzer more on the story.
by Cathy Wurzer

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What’s your Minnesota holiday tradition?

What’s your Minnesota holiday tradition?

Minnesota’s holiday traditions are as unique and varied as the people who call the state home. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a local historian and an author about making merry in Minnesota. Where did our traditions originate, and why are they important?
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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Midtown Global Market celebrates its 15th anniversary — with a cookbook

Midtown Global Market celebrates its 15th anniversary — with a cookbook

The Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and for the first time ever, the chefs and business owners who fill the bustling market are putting together a cookbook. Trung Pham, one of the original vendors at the market, joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his story and the story of the market.
by Cathy Wurzer, Lindsay Guentzel and Alex Cheng

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Minneapolis, St. Paul differ in approach to school enrollment decline

Minneapolis, St. Paul differ in approach to school enrollment decline

Declining enrollment in Minneapolis and St. Paul schools has accelerated during the pandemic, putting the districts in a financial crunch. With federal stimulus dollars on the way, why are these neighbors facing the same problem with different solutions?
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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A MN sheriff tells the stories of fallen officers on his podcast

A MN sheriff tells the stories of fallen officers on his podcast

The Officer Down Memorial Podcast tells the stories of fallen police officers. Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose, the creator and host of the podcast, told host Cathy Wurzer why he feels so compelled by these stories and shared a few clips from the show.
by Cathy Wurzer, Kelly Gordon and Alex Cheng

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Video captures enormous bear in northern Minnesota

Video captures enormous bear in northern Minnesota

Researchers in northern Minnesota captured a video of an enormous black bear this fall, weighing an estimated 700 pounds. Ironically, bears in the state tend to grow bigger in years with poor supplies of natural food.
by Dan Kraker

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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Thanksgiving surge strengthens

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Thanksgiving surge strengthens

State officials worried about a possible bounce from the Thanksgiving holiday, which brought many together indoors for celebrations — the kind of conditions that lead to more viral spread. That appears to be happening.
by MPR News Staff

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Shadow of Floyd, Chauvin case hangs over Kimberly Potter's trial

Shadow of Floyd, Chauvin case hangs over Kimberly Potter's trial

It’s former Officer Kimberly Potter who’s on trial for the killing of Daunte Wright. But the trial in the same courtroom where ex-cop Derek Chauvin was convicted earlier this year of killing George Floyd is casting its shadow over the proceedings.
by Steve Karnowski, Associated Press and Amy Forliti, Associated Press

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Brooklyn Center council approves compromise public safety budget

Brooklyn Center is making changes in its approach to public safety after Daunte Wright’s killing by a police officer. The city council on Monday approved a 2022 budget giving around $1.3 million to support new public safety programs. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Light snow in southern Minnesota Tuesday

Light snow in southern Minnesota Tuesday

Cold air continues its grip on Minnesota Tuesday, while another round of snow moves across the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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China says U.S. diplomatic boycott violates Olympic spirit

China says U.S. diplomatic boycott violates Olympic spirit

China is accusing the U.S. of violating the Olympic spirit by announcing an American diplomatic boycott of February's Beijing Winter Games. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian's comment Tuesday came amid a barrage of Chinese criticism of the Biden administration's announcement.
by The Associated Press

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Biden to warn Putin of economic pain if he invades Ukraine

Biden to warn Putin of economic pain if he invades Ukraine

President Joe Biden is ready to warn Vladimir Putin during a video call that Russia will face economy-jarring sanctions if it invades neighboring Ukraine. The U.S. president is seeking a diplomatic solution to deal with the tens of thousands of Russian troops massed near the Ukraine border.
by The Associated Press

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Brooklyn Center council approves compromise public safety budget

Brooklyn Center council approves compromise public safety budget

The city of Brooklyn Center is making changes in its approach to public safety in the wake of the killing by a police officer of Daunte Wright. But a compromise preserved more of the Police Department.
by Peter Cox

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The NIH director on why Americans aren't getting healthier, despite medical advances

The NIH director on why Americans aren't getting healthier, despite medical advances

As he prepares to leave his post of 12 years, Francis Collins reflects on the agency's biomedical advances, the dangers of polarizing medicine, and the huge health gaps that still exist in the U.S.
by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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State has $7.7 billion surplus; line forms for share of money

State has $7.7 billion surplus; line forms for share of money

State finance officials say Minnesota has a projected $7.7 billion surplus. A tussle is building over how to split up the good fortune.
by Brian Bakst

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Worker shortage has local governments scrambling

Worker shortage has local governments scrambling

A lack of workers is straining local governments all across Minnesota and forcing some counties and cities to make difficult choices.
by Dan Gunderson

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Instagram unveils new teen safety tools ahead of Senate hearing

Instagram unveils new teen safety tools ahead of Senate hearing

Instagram announced the tools designed for its youngest users and their parents a day before the app's head, Adam Mosseri, testifies to the Senate about Instagram's potential risks to kids and teens.
by Shannon Bond

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