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Stories from December 27, 2021

A Minnesotan reflects on creating The Oregon Trail as the game turns 50

A Minnesotan reflects on creating The Oregon Trail as the game turns 50

Chances are you’ve played the legendary educational computer game The Oregon Trail, which turns 50 years old this month and was actually developed right here in Minnesota. Host Cathy Wurzer sat down with Paul Dillenberger, one of the three co-creators of the original game, to take a look at its history and impact.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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COVID cases pass the 1 million mark in Minnesota

COVID cases pass the 1 million mark in Minnesota, and proposed natural gas and electicity rate increases are poised to kick in for many utility customers across the state. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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More snow targets Minnesota, then the coldest air since February

More snow targets Minnesota, then the coldest air since February

As Monday’s strong storm exits, another storm is already poised to bring more snow and ice on Tuesday, followed by the coldest weather much of Minnesota has seen in almost a year.
by Nicole Mitchell

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A 10-year-old author reads his book 'Jaheem's First Kwanzaa'

A 10-year-old author reads his book 'Jaheem's First Kwanzaa'

Sunday at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, Kwanzaa kicked off with a day full of free events, including a reading of “Jaheem's First Kwanzaa” by 10-year-old African American author Zephaniah Martin. We recorded the young writer’s spirited reading for Minnesota Now listeners.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Appeals court says group can sue over Minnesota mining rules

Appeals court says group can sue over Minnesota mining rules

A Minnesota appellate court has affirmed that a wilderness advocacy group has standing to challenge state rules on copper mine sites. The Minnesota Appeals Court's ruling Monday means that Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness' lawsuit can continue.
by The Associated Press

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Healing in the new year: Tools for approaching the transition

Healing in the new year: Tools for approaching the transition

This week, we turn our attention to the transition from 2021 to 2022 in a series of conversations with a group of powerful women who are all coaches and healers. On Monday, host Cathy Wurzer asked her guests how we can use this transition as a time for healing.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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States send kids to foster care and their parents the bill — often one too big to pay

States send kids to foster care and their parents the bill — often one too big to pay

In every state, governments charge parents for the cost of foster care when children are taken away. When that happens, NPR found, poor parents can't make ends meet, so families are kept apart longer.
by Joseph Shapiro, Teresa Wiltz, POLITICO and Jessica Piper

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The latest on omicron, holiday travel, pandemic with MDH's Ehresmann

As omicron surges and we wait to see the impact of holiday travel on COVID-19 case numbers, MDH infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann joined host Cathy Wurzer with the latest on the pandemic in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Fauci: U.S. should consider vaccine mandate for U.S. air travel

Fauci: U.S. should consider vaccine mandate for U.S. air travel

The top United States infectious disease expert says the U.S. should consider a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel. Dr. Anthony Fauci's comments Monday signal a potential embrace of an idea that President Joe Biden’s administration has previously eschewed.
by The Associated Press

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MDH's Kris Ehresmann on omicron variant, holiday travel in Minnesota

MDH's Kris Ehresmann on omicron variant, holiday travel in Minnesota

As omicron surges and we wait to see the impact of holiday travel on COVID-19 case numbers, Minnesota Department of Health infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann joined host Cathy Wurzer with the latest on the pandemic in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ariana Rosas

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The first renovated 'living building' in the world is here in MN

The first renovated 'living building' in the world is here in MN

A lodge at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minn., is the first renovation project in the world to receive full Living Building Challenge certification. The executive director of Wolf Ridge told host Cathy Wurzer more about the unique, cutting-edge sustainability features of the building.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Best of 2021 on MPR News with Angela Davis, from senior producer Susan Davis

This week we’re looking back at some of the conversations host Angela Davis had in 2021 that resonated with us here at MPR News, and with you, our listeners. On Monday, senior producer Susan Davis shared her selections.
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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Omicron is spreading quickly, but fewer of the infected are ending up in the hospital

Omicron is spreading quickly, but fewer of the infected are ending up in the hospital

As the omicron variant coronavirus spreads rapidly, one positive is that a smaller percentage of infected people are winding up in the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms compared to earlier strains.
by Scott Neuman

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Winter storm drops 18 inches of snow on parts of Minnesota

Winter storm drops 18 inches of snow on parts of Minnesota

Snow totals reached 18 inches in parts of Minnesota on Monday morning, as a winter storm continued to drop snow and freezing rain on the region.
by Andrew Krueger

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Falling temperatures, gusty winds Monday as snow lingers in northern Minnesota

Falling temperatures, gusty winds Monday as snow lingers in northern Minnesota

A strong storm continues to push snow across northern Minnesota Monday, while bringing the rest of the state high winds and falling temperatures. More snow moves through Tuesday, then much of Minnesota could see the coldest weather since last February.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Sun Country cancels early flights, places blame on network outage

Sun Country cancels early flights, places blame on network outage

Sun Country Airlines canceled all of its domestic flights Monday morning, saying a third-party system outage is affecting all of its operations.
by Tim Nelson

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Maternity homes coming back, including Minnesota facility

Maternity homes that once assisted women in the 60s and 70s provide a home-like environment for expectant mothers and mothers with infants. They’re making a comeback with 300 homes now in existence nationwide.

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Official account of fatal police shooting in Austin, Minn., disputed

The man, who has not yet been officially identified, was fatally shot by a police officer in the parking lot of a gas station in Austin on Thursday night, after he left his home following a lengthy standoff. Family members and community activists are disputing the official account of the shooting. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, December 27, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%

Despite supply issues and omicron, holiday sales rise 8.5%

Holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, even as shoppers grappled with higher prices, product shortages and a raging new COVID-19 variant in the last few weeks of the season, according to one spending measure.
by The Associated Press

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Sarah Weddington, lawyer who argued Roe v. Wade, dies at 76

Sarah Weddington, lawyer who argued Roe v. Wade, dies at 76

Sarah Weddington, a Texas lawyer who at 26-year-old successfully argued the landmark abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court, has died.
by The Associated Press

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Electric and gas rates set to rise across Minnesota

Electric and gas rates set to rise across Minnesota

Many Minnesotans will be paying more on their electric and natural gas bills in the new year. The state's largest utilities all have rate increases taking effect on Jan. 1. The impacts of those rate hikes will hit low-income people hardest. 
by Dan Kraker

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Racial reckoning turns focus to roadside historical markers

Racial reckoning turns focus to roadside historical markers

Pennsylvania is reviewing its 2,500 roadside markers, scrutinizing factual errors, inadequate historical context, and racist or otherwise inappropriate references.
by The Associated Press

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Winter storm Sunday night, with heavy snow in some areas; snow lingers Monday to the north

Winter storm Sunday night, with heavy snow in some areas; snow lingers Monday to the north

A winter storm will spread snow and a wintry mix across most of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin Sunday evening and overnight, with snow lingering in some areas into Monday. We have the updated snow forecast and warnings.
by Ron Trenda

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