Stories from January 17, 2022

'Betty White Challenge': Donations pour into animal shelters
Television star Betty White's 100th birthday is prompting a flurry of donations to animal welfare organizations, including some in Minnesota. 
On MLK Day, Biden says Americans must commit to King's work
President Joe Biden says Americans must commit to the unfinished work of Martin Luther King Jr., delivering jobs and justice and protecting what he calls “the sacred right to vote, a right from which all other rights flow.” Biden's remarks Monday were among many by politicians acknowledging unmet needs for racial equality on Martin Luther King Day.
In Greece, unvaccinated people ages 60 and up now face monthly fines
The nation imposed the new mandate on Monday as it looks to bring its vaccination rate closer in line with the EU average. The unvaccinated will face penalties starting at 50 euros, or roughly $57.
Mild Monday and Tuesday; windy and much colder by Wednesday
Mild temperatures for Monday into Tuesday. Heavy snow Tuesday in the Arrowhead. Frigid arctic blast for Wednesday and Thursday.
Eva Robinson has wanted to mush in the Jr. Iditarod since she was a child. In order to fund her dream, in 2014, she started her own business — Eva Diva Puppy Snacks — to reach that goal by 2022.
The city of Rochester now requires face masks in public places, joining a growing list of Minnesota cities with mask mandates. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, January 17, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Mild Monday; much colder by Wednesday
Mild temperatures for Monday into Tuesday before an arctic cold front brings us a blast of much colder weather for Wednesday and Thursday.
Towns carries Timberwolves past Curry-less Warriors, 119-99
Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 119-99 victory over the worn-out Golden State Warriors, who played without star Steph Curry on Sunday night.
U.S. women's hockey coach Joel Johnson deftly juggles 2 jobs
Opportunity came knocking twice over the span of two months last year, leaving Joel Johnson no choice but to say yes to juggling two women's hockey coaching jobs. Johnson is coach of the U.S. women's national hockey team seeking to defend its Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Winter Games next month.
Some insurance brokers enroll people in ACA plans without consent
Some consumers "have gone months" without realizing someone had improperly enrolled them in ACA health plans, with tax credits that may need repaying. A proposed new rule would stop the practice.
In Rochester’s library, social worker helps those in need
From her corner office on the second floor of the Rochester Public Library, Allison Carpenter dispenses advice and useful information — not about books but about social services like food and housing support. Carpenter’s role is part of a growing trend that recognizes that libraries are more than just a place to read.
Netanyahu in talks to reach plea bargain in corruption trial
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's on trial for corruption, is in talks to reach a plea bargain. If it goes forward, it could force him to take a break from politics.
Photos, video: Street snowboarders take flight in Duluth
Snowboarders launched themselves off a 20-foot drop from a park pavilion and navigated obstacles including picnic tables and staircase railings on Sunday during a "street snowboarding" competition in Duluth.
Military flights sent to assess damage from Pacific volcano
The loss of an undersea cable leaves most Tongans unable to use the internet or make phone calls abroad. Those who have managed to get messages out described their country as looking like a moonscape as they began cleaning up from the tsunami waves and volcanic ash.