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Stories from December 29, 2021

Milder Thursday into Friday before a very cold start of 2022

Milder Thursday into Friday before a very cold start of 2022

Temperatures will recover a bit for Thursday before arctic air returns in time for the start of the New Year. No storms in the immediate outlook.
by Bill Endersen

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CDC COVID recommendations continue to stoke debate in Minnesota

CDC COVID recommendations continue to stoke debate in Minnesota and the grim annual record for homicides in St. Paul continues to grow. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in Epstein sex abuse case

Ghislaine Maxwell convicted in Epstein sex abuse case

The British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of helping lure teenage girls to be sexually abused by the late Jeffrey Epstein. The verdict announced Wednesday capped a monthlong trial featuring accounts of the sexual exploitation of girls as young as 14.
by The Associated Press

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The best of 2021 with producer Samantha Matsumoto

All this week, we’re listening back to some of the conversations we’ve had on this show over the past year. Associate producer Samantha Matsumoto joined MPR News host Angela Davis to share some of the shows that have stood out to her.  
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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Minnesota Supreme Court to review drainage projects ruling

The Minnesota Supreme Court says it will review a ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals that provided environmental protections for Renville County’s last free-flowing stream.
by The Associated Press

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A glass mosaic tree — and a community — grows in St. Cloud

For months, community members around St. Cloud have been working together to create a large glass mosaic tree. Laura Ruprecht, the artist spearheading the project, joined host Cathy Wurzer to tell her more about the community around the tree and its meaning.
by Cathy Wurzer, Lindsay Guentzel and Kelly Gordon

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It's time to recalculate your COVID 'risk budget'. Here's how

It's time to recalculate your COVID 'risk budget'. Here's how

The omicron situation seems to be changing so fast that it's hard to figure out which activities are safe on any given day. Two experts guide us through how to make a smart risk budget.
by Patrick Wood and Mary Louise Kelly

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Healing in the new year: Mindful medicines for stress

Healing in the new year: Mindful medicines for stress

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 Wednesday, host Cathy Wurzer asked her guests about the tools, perspectives and spiritual practices they use to relieve stress.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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MN newsmakers look back on 2021: Steve Schleicher, Chauvin prosecutor

MN newsmakers look back on 2021: Steve Schleicher, Chauvin prosecutor

As 2021 ends, we’re reexamining the year through the eyes of key Minnesota newsmakers. On Wednesday, host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Steve Schleicher, one of the special prosecutors in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Omicron numbers, controversial new isolation guidelines with MPR News reporter Catharine Richert

The omicron variant continues to make headlines worldwide, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has loosened guidelines for isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. For more on how all this is affecting the pandemic in Minnesota, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by MPR News reporter Catharine Richert.
by Cathy Wurzer

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MPR News reporter Catharine Richert breaks down omicron numbers, new isolation guidelines

MPR News reporter Catharine Richert breaks down omicron numbers, new isolation guidelines

The omicron variant continues to make headlines worldwide with its rapid spread, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has loosened guidelines for isolating after testing positive. For more on how all this is affecting the pandemic in Minnesota, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by MPR News reporter Catharine Richert.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Survey: More Minnesotans rise to fight racism, educate themselves about social injustice

Survey: More Minnesotans rise to fight racism, educate themselves about social injustice

Minnesotans from various racial and ethnic backgrounds name community involvement, growing awareness of racism, as well as cultural celebrations as among the most positive things impacting their communities, according to a new survey.
by Mitchell Levesque

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Dangerous cold Wednesday and again for the weekend

Wednesday is the coldest morning most of Minnesota has seen since February, and it will be topped by even colder weather to start the New Year.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Three carjackers arrested after close call with toddler in St. Paul

Three carjackers arrested after close call with toddler in St. Paul

A woman followed home by carjackers in St. Paul told police she barely had time to get her child out of a car seat before the robbers drove off in her SUV on Tuesday morning. 
by Tim Nelson

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Minnesota Jan. 6 defendant faces new felony charge

Authorities charged Daniel Eugene Johnson of Austin in June with four misdemeanors, including remaining in a restricted building. Now the 29-year-old is facing a new felony count of interfering with U.S. Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 insurrection. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Wednesday brings the coldest morning in almost a year

Much of Minnesota is facing its coldest morning since last February, with dangerous wind chills making it feel like almost 40 below in some areas.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Minnesota beats West Virginia 18-6 in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Minnesota beats West Virginia 18-6 in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Ky Thomas ran for 144 yards and a touchdown, Mar’Kiese Irving added 129 yards rushing and Minnesota shut down West Virginia to win the Guaranteed Rate Bowl 18-6.
by The Associated Press

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WHO: global COVID cases up 11% last week, omicron risk high

WHO: global COVID cases up 11% last week, omicron risk high

The World Health Organization says the number of COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide increased by 11 percent last week compared with the previous week, with the biggest increase in the Americas.
by The Associated Press

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Suitcases and 12 grapes: Rituals promise travel and granted wishes

Suitcases and 12 grapes: Rituals promise travel and granted wishes

Countries throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain have specific rituals for New Year’s, but in many instances, they’ve crossed borders.
by Vicki Adame

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Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader, dies at 82

Harry Reid, former Senate majority leader, dies at 82

Reid died Tuesday, “peacefully” and surrounded by friends “following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer,” Landra Reid said of her husband in a statement.
by The Associated Press

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Mom: 14-year-old shot by LA police 'died in my arms'

Mom: 14-year-old shot by LA police 'died in my arms'

A 14-year-old was shopping for Christmas clothes last week with her mother when the pair heard screams and hid in a dressing room, where the girl was fatally shot by Los Angeles police after an officer fired a rifle at a suspect and a bullet pierced a wall, the family said Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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New CDC isolation guidelines raise concerns among health experts

New CDC isolation guidelines raise concerns among health experts

Cutting the isolation for positive cases to five days could lead to more infections if people don't take masking seriously. Experts including Minnesota infectious disease specialist Michael Osterholm say a testing requirement would have made the policy safer.
by Pien Huang and Catharine Richert

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John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning. The NFL said he died unexpectedly and did not detail a cause.
by The Associated Press

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