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Stories from December 16, 2021

December tornados confirmed for the first time in Minnesota

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least two tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota last night. That’s the first time tornadoes have been confirmed in the state in December.  This is an MPR News evening update for Dec 16, 2021. Hosted by Nathan Stevens. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

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Is climate change behind this month's winter tornadoes?

Is climate change behind this month's winter tornadoes?

Minnesota saw it’s first December tornado Wednesday, after a swarm of deadly tornadoes swept through the Midwest days earlier.
by Paul Huttner

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CDC narrows use of J&J vaccine due to concerns about rare blood clots

CDC narrows use of J&J vaccine due to concerns about rare blood clots

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepted advice from a panel of experts to recommend the use of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson jab, following growing concerns about rare blood clots.
by Vanessa Romo and Scott Hensley

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Reporter roundtable: The latest from Cook County News Herald, Brainerd Dispatch

Reporter roundtable: The latest from Cook County News Herald, Brainerd Dispatch

To bring you the latest on greater Minnesota, we’re convening reporter roundtables on Minnesota Now. This time, Brian Larson, editor of the Cook County News Herald, and Theresa Bourke, staff writer at the Brainerd Dispatch, stopped by to tell host Cathy Wurzer about their top stories.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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'Like a bomb exploded': On the ground after storms in southern MN

'Like a bomb exploded': On the ground after storms in southern MN

Wednesday night, a powerful line of storms whipped across southern Minnesota, and the state saw its first-ever recorded December tornado. Photographer Tim Evans has been surveying the damage in Hartland, Minn., and he joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer

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U of M's Weisman Art Museum has a new director

U of M's Weisman Art Museum has a new director

Alejandra Peña-Gutiérrez is the first person of color to lead the museum. She told host Cathy Wurzer about her career and her plans for the Weisman.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Explainer: The 'slip and capture' argument in ex-cop Kimberly Potter's case

Explainer: The 'slip and capture' argument in ex-cop Kimberly Potter's case

One of the key elements in the defense of Kimberly Potter is a phenomenon known as “slip and capture.” An expert witness is expected to testify that this can result in people making serious errors — such as reaching for a gun when they meant to grab a Taser.
by Jon Collins

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Appeals court to decide if Minnesota DNR can be sued in tribal court

Appeals court to decide if Minnesota DNR can be sued in tribal court

A federal appeals court panel heard arguments Thursday in a wild rice case that tests whether the White Earth Band of Ojibwe can sue the state of Minnesota in tribal court.
by Dan Gunderson

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As child care costs soar, providers are barely getting by. Is there any fix?

As child care costs soar, providers are barely getting by. Is there any fix?

Bloomberg Businessweek journalist Claire Suddath explains why child care is so unaffordable in the U.S. and why attempts to provide federal funding for care keep failing in Congress.
by Terry Gross

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The Potter trial turns to testimony from the defense

The prosecution has rested in the trial of Kimberly Potter, the white former Brooklyn Park officer charged in the shooting death of 20-year-old Black man Daunte Wright. As Potter's defense team began presenting their case, reporter Jon Collins joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer

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MN sports roundup: An early gift from Gopher men's basketball

It’s Thursday, and on Minnesota Now, that means it’s time to talk sports with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson. The duo brought host Cathy Wurzer the latest on the Vikings, Gopher men’s basketball and COVID-19 concerns in the NHL as the Beijing Winter Olympics draw nearer.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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2022 must-reads from Kerri Miller: 3 memoirs you should not miss

2022 must-reads from Kerri Miller: 3 memoirs you should not miss

Throughout December, Kerri Miller brings you three books she doesn’t want you to look over in a year of so many great reads. First up: Three memoirs that deserve a place on your to-be-read pile.
by Kerri Miller

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Jobless rate in Minn. hits pre-pandemic level

Jobless rate in Minn. hits pre-pandemic level

The unemployment rate is back to where it was prior to the imposition of COVID-19 precautions in Minnesota, but a key official says the pandemic recovery remains “jumpy.”
by Brian Bakst

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In Focus: BIPOC businesses’ inclusion in Minnesota's economy

In Focus: BIPOC businesses’ inclusion in Minnesota's economy

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many corporations promised spending, investment, mentorship and all forms of additional support for BIPOC entrepreneurs, but only a portion of the pledges had materialized.
by Angela Davis and MPR News Staff

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Defense begins presenting in Kimberly Potter trial: Updates from reporter Jon Collins

Defense begins presenting in Kimberly Potter trial: Updates from reporter Jon Collins

The prosecution has rested in the trial of Kimberly Potter, the white former Brooklyn Park officer charged in the shooting death of 20-year-old Black man Daunte Wright. As Potter's defense team began presenting their case, MPR News reporter Jon Collins joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Young Americans motivated to make change: AP-NORC, MTV poll

Young Americans motivated to make change: AP-NORC, MTV poll

A new poll shows that millennials and Generation Z Americans say they are more likely to be optimistic about the future and their ability to create change, compared with the older Generation X.
by The Associated Press

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Blowing snow and a flash freeze make for a slow start Thursday

Although the brunt of the storm has departed, Minnesota is still feeling the lingering impacts from Wednesday’s storm with high winds, blowing snow and cold temperatures that are turning yesterday’s rain and snow melt to ice.
by Nicole Mitchell

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State tops 10K COVID-19 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. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 16, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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'Historic' southern Minn. storm: Two tornadoes confirmed, damage surveys continue

'Historic' southern Minn. storm: Two tornadoes confirmed, damage surveys continue

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least two tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota on Wednesday night, in Hartland and near Lewiston — the state’s first December tornadoes on record. Power and cleanup crews are working their way in the area a day after the storm.
by Tim Nelson and Hannah Yang

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Prosecutors expected to wrap up case against Kimberly Potter

Prosecutors expected to wrap up case against Kimberly Potter

Prosecutors were expected to wrap up their case Thursday against the Minnesota police officer charged in Daunte Wright's death, setting the stage for a defense that at some point will have Kimberly Potter directly addressing the jury.
by The Associated Press

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In a season of generic Christmas photos, the Price family stands out

In a season of generic Christmas photos, the Price family stands out

One Rochester family has turned the dreaded Christmas photo shoot into an annual ritual that’s altogether delightful and increasingly elaborate — family photos that spoof famous movies, and leave the matching outfits behind.
by Catharine Richert

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Art Hounds: R&B, country and old time radio drama

Art Hounds: R&B, country and old time radio drama

Art Hounds celebrates live musical and drama performances for every taste this weekend, with shows by country singer Trevor McSpadden, soul and roots performer Annie Mack, and the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society’s holiday special.
by Emily Bright

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A tantalizing clue to why omicron is spreading so quickly

A tantalizing clue to why omicron is spreading so quickly

A new study from the University of Hong Kong offers preliminary information that could explain why this new coronavirus variant may be more transmissible.
by Michaeleen Doucleff

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