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Stories from January 12, 2022

Minneapolis and St. Paul announce vaccine mandates, and Minneapolis schools go online

Minneapolis and St. Paul announce vaccine mandates, and Minneapolis schools go online due to COVID. The state is also spending $40 million to bolster hospital staff. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Is a polar vortex outbreak in sight?

Is a polar vortex outbreak in sight?

Our January thaw has delivered this year, but some forecast models suggest a polar vortex may deliver bitter subzero cold sometime during the last week of January.
by Paul Huttner

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Minneapolis public schools, many others head to online learning as COVID absences mount

Minneapolis public schools, many others head to online learning as COVID absences mount

With hundreds of staff absences daily, officials say the district can't keep the doors open. "We've reached our tipping point,” said Ed Graff, the district superintendent. The move starts Friday, with in-person classes set to resume Jan. 31.
by Tim Nelson and MPR News Staff

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Grocery store shortages are back. Here are some of the reasons why

Grocery store shortages are back. Here are some of the reasons why

Bare shelves at supermarkets are attributed to omicron, a labor shortage, climate change and other reasons. "We're really seeing the perfect storm," one industry expert told NPR.
by Joe Hernandez

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Osseo superintendent on unprecedented school staffing shortages, distance learning

Freezing temperatures, staff shortages and skyrocketing COVID-19 case numbers have pushed school leaders to move to distance learning in a number of Minnesota districts, including Osseo Area Schools. Superintendent Cory McIntyre joined host Cathy Wurzer with more on the situation.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Twin Cities tightening COVID bar, restaurant rules as cases climb

Twin Cities tightening COVID bar, restaurant rules as cases climb

With the virus spreading rapidly, Minneapolis and St. Paul will soon require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to enter places serving food and drink. Some worry the plan will spark new confrontations with patrons.
by Jon Collins and Matt Sepic

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In an emotional memoir, a sports writer reflects on the loss of his son

In an emotional memoir, a sports writer reflects on the loss of his son

Ivan Maisel lost his 21-year-old son to suicide in 2015. It was a shattering moment. But Maisel and his wife had no choice but to go on living without Max. In “I Keep Trying to Catch Your Eye,” Maisel chronicles his journey through grief.
by Kerri Miller, Kelly Gordon and Aron Woldeslassie

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As omicron surges, Osseo superintendent faces school staff absences of up to 25 percent

As omicron surges, Osseo superintendent faces school staff absences of up to 25 percent

Freezing temperatures, staff shortages and skyrocketing COVID-19 case numbers have pushed school leaders to move to distance learning in a number of Minnesota districts, including Osseo Area Schools. Superintendent Cory McIntyre says sending students home isn’t ideal, but that it wasn’t sustainable to continue in person.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Hefty snowfall Friday aims at southwestern Minnesota; Twin Cities ride the edge

Hefty snowfall Friday aims at southwestern Minnesota; Twin Cities ride the edge

A potent Alberta clipper will drop some hefty snowfall totals across western Minnesota Friday. Models suggest 6 to 12 inches-plus in western Minnesota and 1 to 5 inches across the Twin Cities from east to west.
by Paul Huttner

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A fundraiser for mental health justice featuring top Twin Cities chefs

A fundraiser for mental health justice featuring top Twin Cities chefs

An upcoming series of events called Graze 4 Good aims to raise money for mental health justice — by bringing attendees food from top Twin Cities chefs. An organizer and a chef told host Cathy Wurzer more about the project.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Gov. Walz taps $40M in COVID relief funding to ease hospital staffing strain

Gov. Walz taps $40M in COVID relief funding to ease hospital staffing strain

The money will help pay staffing costs for providers who will work 60 hours per week for 60 days to provide patient care. Walz says it’s a necessary step to help hospitals cope with severe staffing shortages brought on by the current surge of COVID-19 cases.
by Catharine Richert

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Reporter roundtable: The latest from Austin, Cloquet, Roseau

Reporter roundtable: The latest from Austin, Cloquet, Roseau

We're calling reporters from newspapers outside the Twin Cities metro area to hear what's happening in their neck of the woods. Wednesday, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by journalists from the Roseau Times-Region, Pine Knot News and the Austin Daily Herald.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Judge agrees to delay state trial for 3 cops in Floyd's death

Judge agrees to delay state trial for 3 cops in Floyd's death

A Minnesota judge has agreed to delay a state court trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death, though he didn’t immediately set a date. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill told attorneys to agree on a new date that's within one year.
by The Associated Press

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COVID-19 in MN: Active cases hit new high; Mpls., St. Paul tighten eatery regs

COVID-19 in MN: Active cases hit new high; Mpls., St. Paul tighten eatery regs

Minnesota continues to get whacked by a post-holiday COVID surge driven by the omicron mutation. Minneapolis and St. Paul will soon temporarily require either a proof of vaccine or recent negative COVID test for bar and restaurant customers.
by MPR News Staff

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People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. What's driving the Great Resignation?

People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. What's driving the Great Resignation?

A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November 2021, part of what some are calling the Great Resignation. Host Cathy Wurzer asked Phyllis Moen why people are leaving their jobs — and what that means for the employment landscape.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Thaw continues; winter storm Friday

Thaw continues; winter storm Friday

Temperatures continue above freezing for most of central and southern Minnesota. Light snow/sleet/freezing rain showers are possible late Wednesday into early Thursday. Friday brings a winter storm with significant snow west and southwest.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Minnesota sets another grim stat: Record-setting COVID infection

Minnesota sets another grim stat: Record-setting COVID infection

Minnesota is seeing unprecedented COVID-19 infections: topping 10,000 a day — even with millions of Minnesotans vaccinated. And the ripple effect is being felt in schools, city services and hospitals.
by Tim Nelson

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Mild, snow chances ahead

Mild, snow chances ahead

It’s a mild start already Wednesday morning with temps in the 20s and 30s for many areas. There are a few brief light snow showers scattered around early Wednesday. Highs will be in the 40s in the south, mid-30s Twin Cities metro area, and around 20 in far northern Minnesota.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Large explosion outside Mogadishu airport, at least 8 killed

Large explosion outside Mogadishu airport, at least 8 killed

A large explosion outside the international airport in Somalia’s capital killed at least eight people and wounded nine others on Wednesday, a local doctor said.
by The Associated Press

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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. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Ingram's 3 late 3s lift Pelicans past Timberwolves 128-125

Ingram's 3 late 3s lift Pelicans past Timberwolves 128-125

Brandon Ingram capped a 33-point, nine-assist performance by hitting three 3-pointers in the final 1:13 — the last with less than a second left — and the New Orleans Pelicans edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-125.
by The Associated Press

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Medicaid pays millions for patient transportation. Sometimes the ride never comes

Medicaid pays millions for patient transportation. Sometimes the ride never comes

Medicaid's transportation contracts can be worth tens of millions for companies that land them. But patients say rides to and from medical care often show up late — or sometimes not at all.
by Rebecca Grapevine and Andy Miller

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Read NPR's full interview with former President Donald Trump

Read NPR's full interview with former President Donald Trump

NPR's Steve Inskeep spoke with former President Donald Trump on Monday. Trump continued to repeat false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.

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NATO and Russia are in high-level talks as Ukraine tensions simmer

NATO and Russia are in high-level talks as Ukraine tensions simmer

The meeting comes during a week of high-stakes diplomacy and a U.S.-led effort to prevent what Washington believes could be a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies it is planning an attack.
by The Associated Press

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NPR hosts' departures fuel questions over race. The full story is complex

NPR hosts' departures fuel questions over race. The full story is complex

NPR faces tough questions about race after the departures of prominent hosts Audie Cornish, Lulu Garcia-Navarro and Noel King. Yet their decisions also reflect major forces transforming the media.
by David Folkenflik

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Vikings players look forward to new atmosphere, culture

Vikings players look forward to new atmosphere, culture

The Vikings have been shaped by those two leaders' philosophies and voices longer than the careers of almost all their players, but the dual firing of Spielman and Zimmer means the atmosphere and culture around the football operation will be undergoing a significant shift.
by The Associated Press

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