Stories from January 8, 2022

Turkmenistan's leader wants 'Gates of Hell' fire put out
The president of Turkmenistan is calling for an end to one of the country’s most notable but infernal sights — the blazing natural gas crater widely referred to as the “Gates of Hell.”
Congress may change this arcane law to avoid another Jan. 6
Lawmakers passed the Electoral Count Act in 1887 after a contested election, and experts say they did a "terrible job." There may now be bipartisan support for revisiting that legislation.
CDC is criticized for failing to communicate, promises to do better
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held only two telebriefings in 2021. That lack of transparency has prompted criticism — and a pledge from director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to be more open.
North Dakota State wins ninth FCS title in 11 years
Hunter Luepke ran for three touchdowns in the first half and North Dakota State won its ninth FCS national championship in 11 seasons with a 38-10 win over Montana State on Saturday.
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson to seek third term
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, one of former President Donald Trump’s biggest backers, announced Sunday that he will seek reelection in the battleground state, breaking his promise not to seek a third term.
Mildest temps this Saturday; arctic cold returns for Sunday
Milder temps are on tap Saturday afternoon, then arctic cold returns late Saturday night and Sunday. We have the weekend weather update, plus a look at the coming week and beyond.
Olmsted County isolates homeless residents with COVID-19
Rochester’s homeless are now facing below zero temperatures and vulnerability to omicron as it surges. Olmsted County and the Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota have implemented plans to isolate those who test positive.
Milder temps return for a one-day stand this Saturday, then it’s back to arctic chill tomorrow. We have the details.
There's chaos in Kazakhstan. Here's what you need to know
A New Year's Day doubling of gas prices sent shock waves through the country, sparking deadly unrest that has engulfed the Central Asian nation. But the origins of discontent run much deeper.
Explainer: Where are the COVID-19 tests that Biden promised?
President Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite the high public demand for tests, officials say it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped. 
Brooklyn Park man is latest to be sentenced for 2020 riots
A federal judge on Friday sentenced a 20-year-old Brooklyn Park man to more than two years in federal prison for setting fire to a health food store during the riots that followed the May 2020 murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.