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Stories from December 15, 2021

Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in federal court, ending his prosecutions for killing George Floyd

Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in federal court, ending his prosecutions for killing George Floyd and the state looks to be in for a once-in-a-lifetime weather event. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Update: Missing teens from separate searches found safe

Authorities found a 15-year-old Andover, Minn., girl safe, two days after they sought the public’s help in finding her and a 14-year Roseville boy, who was found safe on Dec. 31.
by MPR News Staff

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The pandemic's impact on nurses and hospitals in rural Minnesota

Health care professionals in greater Minnesota met virtually Wednesday to discuss the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective parts of the state. Andrea Roberts, president of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told host Cathy Wurzer more about the pandemic’s impact on nurses and rural communities.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Tornado watch until 8 p.m. includes part of southern Minnesota

Tornado watch until 8 p.m. includes part of southern Minnesota

Tornado watch counties run along the Interstate 90 corridor. Additional watches may be issued for parts of southern Minnesota later Wednesday.

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Envisioning the evil of the Holocaust at the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Envisioning the evil of the Holocaust at the Minneapolis Institute of Art

In his monumental “Nazi Drawings” from the 1960s, Mauricio Lasansky confronted the atrocities of the Holocaust. Those works are now on view once again at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and two of the people behind the exhibition told host Cathy Wurzer about the show’s power and relevance.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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NOAA: 95 percent chance for a tornado watch by 2 p.m.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center is likely to issue a tornado watch for much of the Upper Midwest by 2 p.m. Wednesday.
by Paul Huttner

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How nurses in greater Minnesota are faring as COVID surges

How nurses in greater Minnesota are faring as COVID surges

Health care professionals in greater Minnesota met virtually Wednesday to discuss the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective parts of the state. Andrea Roberts, president of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told host Cathy Wurzer more about the pandemic’s impact on nurses and rural communities.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Potential thunderstorms and tornadoes in December? MN weather is changing

Potential thunderstorms and tornadoes in December? MN weather is changing

Southern Minnesota is facing a threat of high winds, tornadoes and maybe an inch of rain Wednesday afternoon, while northern Minnesota could be looking at snow. To talk about the timing and details, MPR News chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joined host Cathy Wurzer.
by Cathy Wurzer

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This astronaut is from Minnesota — and set to break a record in space

This astronaut is from Minnesota — and set to break a record in space

Mark Vande Hei and fellow NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn spoke with host Cathy Wurzer, live from space on the International Space Station, about life in zero gravity. The two are set to break the record for longest stay in the ISS. Watch their conversation.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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MPR News reporter Brian Bakst on Chauvin's guilty plea in federal civil rights case

MPR News reporter Brian Bakst on Chauvin's guilty plea in federal civil rights case

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was in federal court Wednesday morning for a half-hour hearing in which he pleaded guilty to violating George Floyd's civil rights. MPR News reporter Brian Bakst was in the courtroom and joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: State tops 10K deaths; active cases ebbing

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: State tops 10K deaths; active cases ebbing

The latest data suggests the surge from Thanksgiving gatherings is subsiding. Still, the state crossed a difficult milestone Wednesday, tallying more than 10,000 pandemic deaths. Hospitalizations remain high.
by MPR News Staff

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Answering your COVID questions for the holidays

Answering your COVID questions for the holidays

The 46 new coronavirus deaths recorded in Minnesota on Tuesday bring the state’s death toll from COVID-19 to nearly 10,000. The pandemic isn’t over. As new strains appear and guidelines for vaccines, boosters and social behavior change, MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with infectious disease experts who answer your questions.
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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Tips: How to talk to kids about tornadoes

Tips: How to talk to kids about tornadoes

The violence associated with tornadoes can be difficult for children to process. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers tips to help families before, during and after a tornado.
by Dana Farrington

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Dangerous weather Wednesday: Minnesota ripe for first-ever December tornadoes

Dangerous weather Wednesday: Minnesota ripe for first-ever December tornadoes

Fueled by a strong storm and record December warmth, Minnesota on Wednesday faces unprecedented, dangerous late-season weather, including fog, rain, snow and exceptionally high winds. Temperatures crash Thursday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Chauvin expected to plead guilty in federal civil rights case

In April, jurors in state court convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. A judge later sentenced him to 22 1/2 years. In May, federal prosecutors charged Chauvin with using excessive force by pressing his knee into Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin originally pleaded not guilty, but a change of plea hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Target CEO addresses omicron, wages and shopper habits

Target CEO addresses omicron, wages and shopper habits

Target is heading into the final stretch of the holiday season with lots of momentum. CEO Brian Cornell reports that holiday sales have continued to stay strong even amid worries about the new omicron variant. 
by The Associated Press

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Biden pledges 'whatever it takes' to assist tornado victims

Biden pledges 'whatever it takes' to assist tornado victims

President Joe Biden is pledging to do “whatever it takes, as long as it takes” to help Kentucky and other states recover and rebuild after a series of deadly tornadoes that he says left a trail of unimaginable devastation.
by The Associated Press

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Ex-cop Chauvin pleads guilty in George Floyd federal civil rights case

Ex-cop Chauvin pleads guilty in George Floyd federal civil rights case

Derek Chauvin’s plea means he will not face a federal trial in January, although he could end up spending more years behind bars. In June, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years on state charges of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s killing.
by Brian Bakst and Matt Sepic

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St. Paul, Ramsey County plan to spend $74 million on 'deeply' affordable housing

St. Paul, Ramsey County plan to spend $74 million on 'deeply' affordable housing

The city of St. Paul and Ramsey County want to spend $74.5 million to provide more housing options for people making 30 percent of the area median income, or about $31,500 a year for a family of four.
by Peter Cox

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