Stories from January 3, 2022

Former Theranos CEO Holmes guilty of fraud and conspiracy
Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes was convicted on four counts of fraud and conspiracy Monday, ending a lengthy trial that has captivated Silicon Valley. The jury found her not guilty of four other felony charges.
Testing is getting crushed as data shows signs of omicron surge in Minnesota. Also, Minneapolis says COVID may close some school buildings in the state’s third largest district, and police arrest a suspect in Friday’s Mall of America shooting. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Officials are determined to keep schools open, despite omicron
As coronavirus cases, and pediatric hospitalizations, surge in the U.S., the majority of U.S. schools are staying open for in-person learning.
After a brief return to milder temperatures, the state takes another artic dive the second half of the week, with another drop early next week. The same system that brings the next temperature tumble also brings a fresh coat of snow to Minnesota.
A leader in the fight against oil pipelines reflects on lessons learned
The contested Line 3 replacement pipeline, which runs through northern Minnesota, was completed in 2021 despite the efforts of many to stop it. Indigenous attorney Tara Houska, a leader of those efforts, reflected on her activism with host Cathy Wurzer.
Arrest made in Mall of America shooting, suspect still sought
Bloomington police say they have arrested a 19-year-old St. Paul man in connection with a shooting that injured two people at the Mall of America on New Year’s Eve. 
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer booster for children ages 12 and up. Host Cathy Wurzer got more insight into the decision from Dr. Madeleine Gagnon, vice chief of staff at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Wurzer also spoke with Gov. Tim Walz after he and his family recovered from COVID-19.
2022 will be a tense year for Facebook and social apps. Here are 4 reasons why
Social media companies will feel pressure from Washington, European regulators and even their own users over kids' safety and privacy, competition and election-related misinformation.
Helping kids find themselves through their stories
The Wildling is a project in Minneapolis helping kids learn how to tell their own stories. Two of the leaders of the project joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about their work and how it’s changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tips for combating seasonal affective disorder
The dead of winter is the toughest time of year for people who are affected by seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. To talk about how to combat it, Dr. Sabine Schmid, a clinical psychologist at the University of Minnesota Medical School, stopped by Minnesota Now.
MN pediatrician on the FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for kids 12 and up
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer booster for children ages 12 and up. Host Cathy Wurzer got more insight into the decision from Dr. Madeleine Gagnon, vice chief of staff at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Wurzer also spoke with Gov. Tim Walz after he and his family recovered from COVID-19.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: New, active case counts climbing again
Minnesota’s COVID-19 roller-coaster ride continues. The latest available data shows active cases rising following a three-week December dip. The Twin Cities metro area is seeing the bulk of new case growth.
With flu cases on the rise, hospitals brace for impact
The flu is reemerging after being almost dormant during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Minnesota, cases are growing more rapidly than expected, and they stand to collide with a wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant.
Walz on pandemic, policy priorities as new year begins
Gov. Tim Walz spent the Christmas holiday isolating after he and other members of his family tested positive for COVID-19. Walz spoke to MPR News about his recovery, the latest in the state’s pandemic response and his policy priorities heading into this election year.
FDA expands Pfizer boosters for more teens as omicron surges
The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12.
Biden pushed to speak out more as U.S. democracy concerns grow
President Joe Biden only rarely talks about last January's violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the conspiratorial lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. White House officials say the president believes the most effective way to combat election denialism is to focus on showing that government can work.
Southerly winds are returning Minnesota to more seasonable weather but the milder trend does not last long. A storm Tuesday into Wednesday brings measurable snow, gusty winds and much colder air back to the state.
The psychology of sticking to your goals
Every January, the gym fills up with eager new fitness enthusiasts, closets get emptied, kitchens get rearranged and most people commit to improving themselves or their lives in the new year. And while the commitment is admirable, how do we stick to it and do the work to make healthy change? Host Angela Davis speaks with three experts about the psychology of sticking to your goals.
Capitol rioters' tears, remorse don't spare them from jail
Many rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol a year ago are shedding tears and expressing remorse when judges sentence them for their part in the insurrection. But their excuses for joining the mob often fall flat in the face of overwhelmingly contradictory evidence.
The dangerous cold of the weekend is over, and Monday will be a mild and mostly sunny day.
As students return to classrooms on Monday, school leaders around the state are readying themselves for what may be a spike in virus spread. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, January 3, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Angst over China, Russia lessens chance of U.S. nuke changes
Joe Biden’s arrival in the White House nearly a year ago seemed to herald a historic shift toward less U.S. reliance on nuclear weapons and possibly a shrinking of the number of such arms. Now it seems that major shifts in American nuclear policy are unlikely.
With Kirk Cousins out, Vikings' playoff hopes disintegrate
The Minnesota Vikings’ offense didn’t show much sign of life without Kirk Cousins around on Sunday, and the team's playoff hopes were dead by the end of the night. The Vikings fell 37-10 to the NFC North champion Green Bay Packers.
How will the pandemic end? Omicron clouds forecasts for endgame
Pandemics do eventually end, even if omicron is complicating the question of when this one will. But it won't be like flipping a light switch: The world will have to learn to coexist with a virus that's not going away.
6 questions for politics in 2022
From control of Congress and the strength of the Biden presidency to potential Jan. 6 committee revelations and the future of abortion rights, there's a lot at stake in 2022.
Why your local library might be hiring a social worker
Libraries in some cities are investing in staff who can help patrons with complex issues like housing insecurity, finding mental health and more.
Minnesota schools reopen, brace for COVID-19 surge
As students return to classrooms on Monday, school leaders across Minnesota are readying themselves for what may be a spike in virus spread.
Last living parent of a child killed in 1963 church bombing dies at 93
The last living parent of any of the four Black girls killed in the 1963 Alabama church bombing died Sunday at age 93. Maxine McNair's daughter, 11-year-old Denise McNair, was the youngest girl killed in the bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church.
20s return Monday afternoon; mild Tuesday, then temps plummet
The arctic chill is moving on, and milder temps are on tap to start the week. We have the forecast details, including some accumulating snow Tuesday evening into Wednesday.