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Stories from December 9, 2021

Some schools announce closures, virtual classes ahead of Friday's snowstorm

Some southern Minnesota school districts have already announced they're canceling classes or switching to virtual learning tomorrow as a winter storm moves toward the state. This is an MPR News Evening update for Dec 9, 2021. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic.   Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

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Report: NHL is promoting hockey rink refrigerant with 'super-greenhouse gas'

Report: NHL is promoting hockey rink refrigerant with 'super-greenhouse gas'

A report from the nonprofit Environmental Investigation Agency says the National Hockey League and chemical company Chemours are teaming up to expand the use of Opteon, a refrigerant that is “1,700 to 3,100 times more potent than carbon dioxide.”
by Paul Huttner

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Heaviest snow zone in flux; 12+ inches possible in southern MN

Heaviest snow zone in flux; 12+ inches possible in southern MN

Winter storm warnings are up from the Twin Cities south into Iowa and east into Wisconsin. The precise storm track is still in flux but a major winter storm will impact most of southern Minnesota from the Twin Cities south and east Friday.
by Paul Huttner

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Photos: Protesters march for Daunte Wright during Kimberly Potter's trial

Photos: Protesters march for Daunte Wright during Kimberly Potter's trial

Community members gathered for a rally during Kimberly Potter’s trial to demand justice for Daunte Wright, who was killed by Potter. Among the demonstrators was Jacob Blake Sr., the father of Jacob Blake who was shot and paralyzed by police in Kenosha, Wis., in August 2020.
by MPR News Staff

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New study looks at how policing affects preterm birth

New study looks at how policing affects preterm birth

The paper, published in JAMA Open Network, shows that pregnant people in Minneapolis neighborhoods are at a higher risk of preterm birth.
by Catharine Richert

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MN sports roundup: Is Thursday Night Football just a risky cash grab?

MN sports roundup: Is Thursday Night Football just a risky cash grab?

The Wild are red-hot, the Vikings … are not — and is Thursday Night Football just a dangerous cash grab? All that and more in this week’s Minnesota sports roundup with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.
by Cathy Wurzer, Melissa Townsend and Lindsay Guentzel

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Remembering a survivor of abuse who saved lives in his community

Remembering a survivor of abuse who saved lives in his community

Tom Mahowald, a courageous Minnesotan who spoke up about abuse he suffered at the hands of the Catholic clergy and dedicated himself to supporting other survivors, died this week at the age of 72. Host Cathy Wurzer heard remembrances of Mahowald from a reporter who covered his story and a fellow survivor who says Mahowald saved his life.
by Cathy Wurzer, Melissa Townsend and Alex Cheng

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A Minnesotan who spoke up about Catholic church abuse and saved lives has died

Tom Mahowald, a courageous Minnesotan who spoke up about abuse he suffered at the hands of the Catholic clergy and dedicated himself to supporting other survivors, died this week at the age of 72. Host Cathy Wurzer heard remembrances of Mahowald from a reporter who covered his story and a fellow survivor who says Mahowald saved his life.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Poop sleuths hunt for early signs of omicron in sewage

Poop sleuths hunt for early signs of omicron in sewage

Scientists have identified the new COVID-19 variant in wastewater in a few U.S. cities. This type of surveillance can help communities stay a step ahead of omicron's spread.
by Raquel Maria Dillon

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Analysis of early testimony in the Potter trial from a criminal justice professor

Analysis of early testimony in the Potter trial from a criminal justice professor

The trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter for the killing of Daunte Wright is in its second day of testimony. For analysis of what’s happened so far, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by Kami Chavis, professor of law and director of the Criminal Justice Program at Wake Forest University.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Mel Brooks says his only regret as a comedian is the jokes he didn't tell

Mel Brooks says his only regret as a comedian is the jokes he didn't tell

Brooks wrote countless edgy jokes over the years, but he doesn't regret any of them. He calls comedy his "delicious refuge" from the world. "I hide in humor," he says. His new memoir is “All About Me!”
by Terry Gross

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What comes next for police reform in Minnesota?

What comes next for police reform in Minnesota?

Opening statements started this week in the trial of former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter. Potter is charged with manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man. MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with reporters about the trial and the future of public safety reform in Minnesota
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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1 in 10 Americans say COVID vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs

1 in 10 Americans say COVID vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs

A new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core shows most Americans believe too many people are using religious beliefs as a reason to not get vaccinated.
by Deepa Shivaram

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Stargazing tips from a Dark Sky Festival organizer on the North Shore

Stargazing tips from a Dark Sky Festival organizer on the North Shore

Minnesota’s North Shore is home to one of only 15 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world — and this weekend, it will host a festival celebrating the magic and importance of stargazing and dark skies. Caroline Torkildson, a dark sky advocate with Starry Skies North, the Duluth chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association, joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer, Kelly Gordon and Alex Cheng

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Warnings out as Twin Cities, southern MN ready for big Friday snowstorm

Warnings out as Twin Cities, southern MN ready for big Friday snowstorm

Computer models are showing a major winter storm Friday into Friday night from southern Minnesota through the Twin Cities metro area and on into Wisconsin. That has prompted winter storm warnings. We have the details.
by Ron Trenda

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Minnesota crash after police pursuit leaves 2 dead, 3 hurt

Minnesota crash after police pursuit leaves 2 dead, 3 hurt

Authorities say a crash in Minneapolis that followed a police pursuit of an SUV that was reportedly stolen has left two juveniles dead and three others hospitalized.
by The Associated Press

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Ask a Student: Book series elementary school kids love

Ask a Student: Book series elementary school kids love

Usually every week for Ask a Bookseller, MPR News’ Emily Bright checks in with indie booksellers all over the country for recommendations. But this week, we’re changing it up with an Ask a Student edition, courtesy of some of the readers at Gatewood Elementary School in Minnetonka, Minn.
by Emily Bright

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Forecast winter storm track has shifted northward

Forecast winter storm track has shifted northward

A significant winter storm will track from Colorado and bring heavy snow to southern Minnesota and much of Wisconsin on Friday.
by Bill Endersen

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Kimberly Potter trial: Day 2 starts as jury weighs evidence, testimony

Prosecutors told jurors on Wednesday that the ex-Brooklyn Center officer acted recklessly in firing her service weapon in disregard of her substantial training and sworn duty. The defense described it as an accident: that she intended to stun Wright, not kill him. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 9, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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From grime to crumbling masonry, U.S. parks get a makeover

From grime to crumbling masonry, U.S. parks get a makeover

The Great American Outdoor Act was passed by Congress last year and dedicated up to $1.6 billion a year for the next five years to extensive maintenance and repairs that have been put off year after year.
by The Associated Press

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China dismisses UK, Canada Olympic boycott as 'farce'

China dismisses UK, Canada Olympic boycott as 'farce'

China on Thursday dismissed the decision by Canada and the United Kingdom to join Washington’s diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as a “farce.”
by The Associated Press

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A new poll finds major warning signs for Biden and fellow Democrats

A new poll finds major warning signs for Biden and fellow Democrats

The NPR/Marist survey has President Joe Biden with a 42 percent approval rating. Americans also don't feel the direct payments or expanded child tax credits Democrats doled out helped them much.
by Domenico Montanaro and Kelsey Snell

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Why Biden is hosting more than 100 countries to talk about democracy

Why Biden is hosting more than 100 countries to talk about democracy

The White House wants to boost global commitments to human rights and fighting corruption. But as the summit convenes, American democracy itself is under pressure.
by Scott Detrow

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Kimberly Potter trial: Wright girlfriend testifies on fatal police stop

Kimberly Potter trial: Wright girlfriend testifies on fatal police stop

Prosecutors on Thursday emphasized the collateral damage done as they pressed their case that the ex-Brooklyn Center officer acted recklessly in firing her service weapon. The judge also denied a defense motion for a mistrial.
by Jon Collins, Nina Moini and Matt Sepic

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Art Hounds: Capturing the light, sound and joy of the season

Art Hounds: Capturing the light, sound and joy of the season

Jorts Improv takes on the holiday romantic comedy in “A Snowy Kiss.” Painter Joshua Cunningham captures the light falling across landscapes throughout Minnesota. An Austin Advent concert features a van Daalen pipe organ.
by Emily Bright

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What does the phrase 'The Twin Cities' refer to?

What does the phrase 'The Twin Cities' refer to?

In a conversation Wednesday on Twitter, many respondents emphasized the role of distance in shaping this terminology.
by David H. Montgomery

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Instagram's CEO faces senators accusing his company of harming some young users

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, faced off with senators angry over revelations of how the photo-sharing platform can harm some young users and demanding that the company commit to making changes.
by The Associated Press

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