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Stories from January 11, 2022

A conversation with Hamse Warfa, soon Biden's highest-ranking Somali appointee

A conversation with Hamse Warfa, soon Biden's highest-ranking Somali appointee

Hamse Warfa is leaving Minnesota to serve in the Biden administration in Washington, D.C., where he will be the highest-ranking Somali appointee. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his story and the importance of strengthening democracy around the world.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Minnesota sets new one-day record for new COVID cases

Minnesota has set a new one-day record for new COVID cases, topping the previous high by nearly 10 percent. This is an MPR News Evening update for January 11, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

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Medicare limits coverage of $28,000-a-year Alzheimer's drug

Medicare limits coverage of $28,000-a-year Alzheimer's drug

Tuesday's decision from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a major development in the nation’s tug-of-war over the fair value of new medicines that offer tantalizing possibilities but come with prohibitive prices.
by The Associated Press

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Native American activist, leader Clyde Bellecourt dies at 85

Native American activist, leader Clyde Bellecourt dies at 85

Bellecourt was a co-founder in 1968 of the American Indian Movement, which began as a local organization in Minneapolis that sought to grapple with issues of police brutality and discrimination against Native Americans.
by The Associated Press and Matt Sepic

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Suburban mayors seek changes from Hennepin prosecutors in response to crime wave

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is rebooting a 1990s-era initiative in response to a spike in violent crime in the Twin Cities. Plymouth mayor Jeff Wosje, one of several suburban mayors who has been in conversation with Freeman, joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about concerns he’s seen in his community.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Trial of three former MPD officers pushes forward during COVID surge

Trial of three former MPD officers pushes forward during COVID surge

The federal court judge overseeing the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd in 2020 said he’s concerned about COVID disrupting the proceedings. 
by Nina Moini

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Magawa, a heroic bomb-sniffing rat who is credited with saving lives, has died

Magawa, a heroic bomb-sniffing rat who is credited with saving lives, has died

"His contribution allows communities in Cambodia to live, work, and play; without fear of losing life or limb," the nonprofit APOPO said after the death of Magawa, an African giant pouched rat.
by Merrit Kennedy and Laurel Wamsley

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Thaw through Thursday, snow on Friday across much of Minnesota

Thaw through Thursday, snow on Friday across much of Minnesota

A January thaw brings milder temperatures through Thursday. Expect snowfall across much of the state on Friday. The latest forecast model trends suggest the heaviest snowfall will be across western and southwestern Minnesota.
by Paul Huttner

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What if we canceled student loan debt?

What if we canceled student loan debt?

President Joe Biden has once again extended the pandemic pause on federal student loan payments – this time until May 1. But the pause has reignited the debate on what to do about student loans. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two researchers about the debate on student loan debt and whether canceling debt is the best way to address the student debt crisis.
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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A band of Hot Freaks has a hit song on TikTok — years after breaking up

A band of Hot Freaks has a hit song on TikTok — years after breaking up

Thanks to TikTok, a Minnesota band that broke up seven years ago now has a smash hit single. Sarah Darnall and Cody Brown of Hot Freaks sat down with host Cathy Wurzer to tell their unlikely story.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Status hearing set for 3 cops charged in Floyd's death

Status hearing set for 3 cops charged in Floyd's death

Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights during an arrest that ended in his death are scheduled to appear in federal court for a pretrial conference.
by Amy Forliti, Associated Press

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Reporter Kirsti Marohn on whistleblower case against MN pollution agency

Reporter Kirsti Marohn on whistleblower case against MN pollution agency

A former employee at the state agency that monitors pollution has filed a whistleblower lawsuit, saying officials have not done enough to clean up contamination and protect drinking water. With more on that story, MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joined host Cathy Wurzer.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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'Kids need a lot of support': A Minneapolis student's view on school life, COVID

'Kids need a lot of support': A Minneapolis student's view on school life, COVID

Tenth grader Lucy Heagle attends Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis. She spoke with MPR’s Morning Edition about what school has been like lately in era of COVID-driven uncertainty.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kyle Shiely

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Freeway fighter: A vision to replace I-35 in Duluth gains momentum

Freeway fighter: A vision to replace I-35 in Duluth gains momentum

What started as one student's seemingly far-fetched idea to remove Interstate 35 from downtown Duluth is picking up momentum. The plan is part of a growing nationwide movement to convert freeways into urban boulevards.
by Dan Kraker

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Suburban mayors on Hennepin County Attorney's approach to crime wave

Suburban mayors on Hennepin County Attorney's approach to crime wave

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman is rebooting a 1990s-era initiative in response to a spike in violent crime in the Twin Cities. Plymouth mayor Jeff Wosje, one of several suburban mayors who has been in conversation with Freeman, joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about concerns he’s seen in his community.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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When it comes to vaccines, is it time to abandon the carrot for the stick?

Is it time to start taking things away from people who resist vaccination? What would happen if the unvaccinated were denied access to airline flights, restaurants, cruises, sports or school events? Some researchers think depriving resisters probably won't persuade most to get the shot — but will it persuade enough of them to the benefit of all? 
by Susan Davis and Kerri Miller

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A grief story and a love story form the backbone of 'Lost & Found'

A grief story and a love story form the backbone of 'Lost & Found'

Lost & Found is as much a philosophical reckoning with the experiences of losing and finding as it is a record of New Yorker writer Kathryn Schulz's personal grief and love stories.
by Kristen Martin

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Warmup brings snow chances

Warmup brings snow chances

Expect highs mainly in the 20s and 30s, with teens and 20s hanging onto the North Shore and Arrowhead. This stretch will last for several days. Light snow could mess with morning commutes Wednesday and Thursday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Warmer air and snow chances ahead

Warmer air and snow chances ahead

After a wild roller coaster ride of temperatures the last couple weeks, stability returns. We have some light snow chances Wednesday and Wednesday night, but the chances of a significant snowfall Friday are still in question.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Deadliest stretch yet for those under 65

For the first time in the pandemic, Minnesotans younger than 65 have accounted for more reported COVID-19 deaths in the last week than people aged 80 and older. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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U.S. announces $308 million in aid for Afghans as crisis grows

U.S. announces $308 million in aid for Afghans as crisis grows

The White House has announced $308 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. The new aid comes as Afghanistan edges toward a humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover nearly five months ago.
by The Associated Press

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Who gets to use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? Astronomers work to fight bias

Who gets to use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? Astronomers work to fight bias

With the James Webb Space Telescope safely deployed, many scientists want to use it. To minimize the effect of unconscious biases, they go through a process developed for the Hubble Space Telescope.
by Nell Greenfieldboyce

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'Jeopardy!' champion Amy Schneider shares what her winning streak means

'Jeopardy!' champion Amy Schneider shares what her winning streak means

Reigning Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider talks to NPR's Ari Shapiro about her historic run of wins and her role as the most successful female and trans contestant in the show's history.
by Michael Levitt

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Biden calls for changes to the Senate's filibuster to pass voting rights bills

Biden calls for changes to the Senate's filibuster to pass voting rights bills

President Joe Biden on Tuesday delivered a fiery speech on what he called "the battle for the soul of America," urging an outright rejection of GOP-led efforts to restrict Americans' rights to vote.
by Alana Wise

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Longtime MPCA employee alleges retaliation over petroleum complaints

Longtime MPCA employee alleges retaliation over petroleum complaints

Mark Toso alleges that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency penalized him for raising concerns that its program for handling leaking petroleum tanks was failing to protect groundwater.
by Kirsti Marohn

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