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Stories from December 22, 2021

Omicron now the dominant variant in Minnesota, health department says

Gov. Tim Walz tested positive for COVID-19 this week and now says he has symptoms. Walz also believes he has the omicron variant, which is now the dominant strain of COVID in Minnesota. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Theme music by Gary Meister.

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Cube Critics see 'Matrix,' 'Licorice,' 'Sing 2,' and 'Insecure,' plus an added extra

Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Samantha Matsumoto see 'Matrix,' 'Licorice,' Singing animals, and 'Insecure,' plus Euans interview with writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson
by Euan Kerr and Samantha Matsumoto

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McConnell openly courts Manchin to leave Democrats, join GOP

McConnell openly courts Manchin to leave Democrats, join GOP

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is openly recruiting Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin after his fractious split with the White House over the president’s social and environmental spending package.
by The Associated Press

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9 days after tornado, cat found in rubble of building

9 days after tornado, cat found in rubble of building

Nine days after a tornado demolished his three-story office building in downtown Mayfield, Ky., Sonny “Hoot” Gibson was standing in the rubble and heard a faint meow.
by The Associated Press

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Walz says he has COVID-19 symptoms

Walz says he has COVID-19 symptoms

Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday he had developed symptoms like a “tough cold” after initially not feeling the effects of COVID-19. 
by Tim Pugmire

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President Biden extends student loan payment freeze through May 1

President Biden extends student loan payment freeze through May 1

President Biden extended relief for federal student loan borrowers for an additional 90 days because borrowers are "still coping with the impacts of the pandemic." Payments now resume May 1.
by Elissa Nadworny

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The new thinking about menopause

Did you know that each individual woman experiences menopause differently – both physically and personally? MPR News host Angela Davis speaks to an integrative medicine doctor and a Chinese medicine practitioner on the new response to menopause.
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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COVID sent last year's U.S. death rate soaring, especially among people of color

COVID sent last year's U.S. death rate soaring, especially among people of color

Americans' life expectancy declined by nearly two years in 2020 compared to the year before, primarily because of COVID-19. The drop in life expectancy was bigger for men, and for Blacks and Latinos.
by Rhitu Chatterjee and Rachel Treisman

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FDA authorizes 1st antiviral pill for COVID

FDA authorizes 1st antiviral pill for COVID

In a highly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's Paxlovid as the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 at home.
by Scott Hensley

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Increasingly milder Wednesday through Friday; periods of weekend snow likely

Increasingly milder Wednesday through Friday; periods of weekend snow likely

Milder temperatures will arrive through filtered sunshine on Wednesday. It will stay mild through Friday. Snow will spread eastward across most of the state over the Christmas weekend. Chillier temperatures will gradually return.
by Bill Endersen

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Why the most powerful space telescope ever needs to be kept really, really cold

Why the most powerful space telescope ever needs to be kept really, really cold

The James Webb Space Telescope will give a glimpse of the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang — but only if the telescope is kept frigid. That's why there's a tennis court-sized sunshield.
by Rebecca Ramirez

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Jurors at Kimberly Potter trial struggle to reach verdict

Jurors in the trial of the former Brooklyn Center police officer who shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright were to begin their third day of deliberations Wednesday, after a question to the judge suggested some are concerned they may not be able to reach agreement. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Milder Wednesday; weekend snow likely

Milder Wednesday; weekend snow likely

Milder temperatures will arrive for Wednesday and linger through Friday. Periods of snow seem to be likely over the Christmas weekend.
by Bill Endersen

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Jury at Kimberly Potter trial quietly wraps up third day of deliberations

Jury at Kimberly Potter trial quietly wraps up third day of deliberations

Jurors in the manslaughter trial of Kimberly Potter, the former Brooklyn Center officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright in April, have concluded deliberations for the day. The jury asked Judge Regina Chu late Tuesday afternoon what to do if members can't agree on a verdict. She told them to continue their work.
by The Associated Press and Nina Moini

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As COVID fueled the drug crisis, Native Americans hit worst

As COVID fueled the drug crisis, Native Americans hit worst

As the pandemic ravaged the country, deaths from drug overdoses surged by nearly 30 percent, surpassing 100,000 dead for the first time in American history. The drug crisis also diversified from an overwhelmingly white affliction to killing people of color with staggering speed. 
by The Associated Press

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As omicron becomes state's dominant strain, Minnesotans seek rapid tests and shots

As omicron becomes state's dominant strain, Minnesotans seek rapid tests and shots

With travel expected to be near pre-pandemic levels, the demand for COVID tests, as well as vaccinations, are up across the board. The fast-spreading omicron variant, now the state’s dominant coronavirus strain, adds urgency.
by Peter Cox

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If you find Lego under the tree this year, they might be worth more than gold one day

If you find Lego under the tree this year, they might be worth more than gold one day

Researchers from the Higher School of Economics found that select, unopened, Lego sets on the secondary market saw an average annual return of 11 percent — that's more than gold.
by Jason Fuller and Courtney Dorning

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In 2021, climate ambitions soared and crashed in the U.S. and around the world

In 2021, climate ambitions soared and crashed in the U.S. and around the world

President Joe Biden's lofty domestic goals were brought down to earth by congressional opposition, notably from one Democratic senator. International efforts to fight planetary warming also fell short.
by Dan Charles and Jeff Brady

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Paul Thomas Anderson combines old with new in 'Licorice Pizza'

Paul Thomas Anderson combines old with new in 'Licorice Pizza'

Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, a maker of movies exploring everything from high fashion to religious cults and the porn industry, now turns his attention to young — if mismatched — love. 
by Euan Kerr

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