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Stories from January 13, 2022

U.S. is 'fully prepared' if Russia invades Ukraine, Secretary of State says

U.S. is 'fully prepared' if Russia invades Ukraine, Secretary of State says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. is planning "things we've not done in the past" if Russia invades Ukraine. Where do things stand now and what can the U.S. do at this point?
by Wynne Davis and Mary Louise Kelly

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State panel backs off plan to ease sentences for repeat offenders after outcry

State panel backs off plan to ease sentences for repeat offenders after outcry, and Duluth joins the mask mandates. And here comes an Alberta Clipper. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Rapid omicron spread closes Minn. schools on short notice

Rapid omicron spread closes Minn. schools on short notice

The swift onslaught of omicron cases is sending teachers and students home in Minnesota. The exponential rise in absences has forced many districts to pause in-person classes and implement a variety of distance-learning plans for much of the rest of January. 
by Elizabeth Shockman and MPR News Staff

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Navient reaches a deal to cancel $1.7 billion in student loan debts

Navient reaches a deal to cancel $1.7 billion in student loan debts

The loan servicing giant has agreed to cancel student loan debts owed by roughly 66,000 borrowers as part of a settlement reached with 39 state attorneys general.
by Cory Turner

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Listener questions about the latest COVID wave, answered by a doctor

Amid a record-breaking surge of COVID-19 infections, Dr. Susan Kline of the University of Minnesota Medical School took listener questions about the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer

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The benefits of having and being a mentor

The benefits of having and being a mentor

During the isolation of the pandemic, mentors provide an important connection for children and young people. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about how caring adults can help young people navigate life and get through college. 
by Chris Farrell and Maja Beckstrom

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Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for U.S. businesses

Supreme Court halts COVID-19 vaccine rule for U.S. businesses

The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.
by The Associated Press

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Duluth mayor orders 30-day mask mandate as COVID cases climb

Duluth mayor orders 30-day mask mandate as COVID cases climb

“If you want to be mad at me, be mad at me. That’s what I’m here for. It’s still the right decision,” Emily Larson said Thursday as she announced a mask mandate for indoor public gathering spaces for people older than 5.
by Dan Kraker

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MN sports roundup: Who will be the next general manager, head coach of the Vikings?

MN sports roundup: Who will be the next general manager, head coach of the Vikings?

This week, the sports duo of Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson take on the hottest question in Minnesota sports: Who will the Vikings pick to fill vacancies at general manager and head coach after firing Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer?
by Cathy Wurzer

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What's it like to be in high school during the omicron surge?

What's it like to be in high school during the omicron surge?

As COVID-19 sweeps through schools and some return to distance learning, we heard first-hand accounts of what life is like in school during the pandemic from high schoolers around the Twin Cities.
by Cathy Wurzer, Alex Cheng and Melissa Townsend

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Remembering environmentalist Sigurd Olson, 40 years after his passing

Remembering environmentalist Sigurd Olson, 40 years after his passing

Forty years ago, on Jan. 13, 1982, environmentalist icon Sigurd Olson passed away in Ely, Minn. To remember Olson, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by biographer David Backes, who recalled how Olson changed his life.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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Your COVID and omicron surge questions, answered by a doctor

Your COVID and omicron surge questions, answered by a doctor

Amid a record-breaking surge of COVID-19 infections, Dr. Susan Kline of the University of Minnesota Medical School took audience questions about the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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U.S. jobless claims rise by 23,000 to 230,000

U.S. jobless claims rise by 23,000 to 230,000

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since mid-November. 
by The Associated Press

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Mild Thursday; winter storm hits Minnesota on Friday

Mild Thursday; winter storm hits Minnesota on Friday

Thursday will be another mild day, then wintry weather returns on Friday. We have the updated snow forecast for Friday.
by Ron Trenda

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

With hundreds of staff absences daily, Minneapolis school officials say the district can't keep the doors open. The move starts Friday, with in-person classes set to resume Jan. 31. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, January 13, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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U.S., Canada women eager to resume fierce hockey rivalry

U.S., Canada women eager to resume fierce hockey rivalry

The United States is the defending Olympic champion after beating Canada in a nail-biting 3-2 shootout win in South Korea in 2018 to end Canada’s run of four Olympic titles. And yet, Canada is the reigning world champion after punching back with a 3-2 overtime win in August to end USA’s run of five consecutive titles.
by The Associated Press

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No. 10 Michigan State beats Minnesota 71-69 on Hauser's shot

No. 10 Michigan State beats Minnesota 71-69 on Hauser's shot

Joey Hauser made a low-post shot with a tenth of a second left, lifting No. 10 Michigan State to a 71-69 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night for a ninth straight win.
by The Associated Press

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More than 1 million fewer students are in college, the lowest enrollment numbers in 50 years

More than 1 million fewer students are in college, the lowest enrollment numbers in 50 years

People are sitting out college in droves. During the pandemic, undergraduate enrollment has dropped nearly 7 percent. The long-term effects of this decline could have a dramatic impact on the economy.
by Elissa Nadworny

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Go back to school and ditch weekly testing: The advice from one children's hospital

Go back to school and ditch weekly testing: The advice from one children's hospital

Dr. David Rubin discusses guidance from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that says schools should stay open for in-person learning and discontinue required weekly testing.
by Ari Shapiro, Jonaki Mehta and Courtney Dorning

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Public fiercely divided on proposed mining ban near BWCA

Public fiercely divided on proposed mining ban near BWCA

The federal government held the first of three public meetings Wednesday to get feedback on a proposed copper-nickel mining ban near the Boundary Waters.
by Dan Kraker

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Art Hounds: Stories in movement and music

Art Hounds: Stories in movement and music

Duluth’s Ellen Sandbeck’s intricately cut paper art reflects the Mississippi River. Art Hounds also note The Moving Company’s production of “Anamnesis” in Minneapolis, and the Naked Stages Fellows movement-based works, streaming this month.
by Emily Bright

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Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat?

Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat?

The FDA-approved tests call for a nasal swab. Some doctors are tweeting that they're doing a throat swab too — though they don't recommend this step to the public. Here's a look at the swab debate.
by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

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