Stories from December 31, 2021

Two people injured in shooting that prompted lockdown at Mall of America
Bloomington police say two people were injured, but are expected to survive, after a shooting at the Mall of America on Friday evening. The shooting forced a lockdown of the mall for about an hour.
Arctic chill this weekend; top 5 weather events of 2021
Some of us will see some snowflakes Friday evening. Temperatures will plummet Friday night as winds pick up. We have the chilly weekend forecast details, plus a recap of the top weather events of 2021.
Betty White, TV’s Golden Girl, dies at 99
Actress Betty White, whose saucy, up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years, has died. She was 99.
The best books of 2021 from three authors who also own bookstores
For our final Big Books and Bold Ideas show of the year, host Kerri Miller talks with three writers who also own bookstores and invites them to share the titles from 2021 they loved and were most eager to put in readers’ hands.
Vikings lose Cousins to COVID list before game vs. Packers
The Minnesota Vikings have placed quarterback Kirk Cousins on the COVID-19 reserve list. The big blow comes two days before their most important game of the season at Green Bay. Cousins is unvaccinated.
First sickle cell patient treated with CRISPR gene-editing still thriving
A young Mississippi woman is thriving two years after getting treated for sickle cell disease with the revolutionary gene-editing technique known as CRISPR.
All this week, we’ve been listening back to some of the conversations we’ve had on this show over the past year. MPR News host Angela Davis shared some of the shows that have stood out to her.
New Year's Eve muted by omicron; many hoping for better 2022
In many places, New Year's Eve celebrations were muted or canceled for the second straight year due to a surge of coronavirus infections, this time driven by the highly contagious omicron variant.
Behind a cold front bringing in artic air, most of Minnesota will spend all of Saturday with temperatures below zero. Dangerously cold windchills will range from minus 20 to minus 50 during the weekend mornings.
What if cars could stop you from driving drunk? A peek at the latest tech
A new federal law will eventually require new vehicles to detect and prevent drunk driving, which would revolutionize vehicle safety. Here's a look at some of the technology being developed.
The story of marriage equality is more complicated — and costly — than you remember
Sasha Issenberg, author of “The Engagement,” a history of marriage equality, says he doesn't see the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges being overturned anytime soon.
Ask Dr. Jon Hallberg (for the last time)
Dr. Jon Hallberg is leaving the radio airwaves, but on Thursday he spent one final hour with MPR News host Tom Crann and answered your medical questions.
Minnesota’s second year of COVID, by the numbers
This arms race between a more virulent virus and expanding population immunity made 2021 a somewhat different experience than the first year of the pandemic — the differences leap out from the COVID-19 statistics. 
Wildfires burn hundreds of homes in Colorado, thousands flee
Tens of thousands of Coloradans driven from their neighborhoods by wind-whipped wildfires are anxiously waiting to learn what's left standing of their lives after the flames burned an estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center.
Dozens protest fatal police shooting of Austin, Minn., man
Family and community members dispute the official account of the killing of Kouko Christopher Fiafonou, and are asking the Austin Police Department to release squad car video of the fatal shooting.
Healing in the new year: The full conversation
Your well-being is connected to the well-being of your loved ones and your whole community. How can you reset your mind and spirit to start the new year on the right footing? Three wise women share their practices and ideas for personal healing with host Cathy Wurzer in a funny, insightful conversation that will leave you with plenty of food for thought.