Stories from January 20, 2022

Florida man charged after 4 found dead at Minn.-Canada border
A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Manitoba near the border community of Emerson.
Governor’s spending plan includes ‘Walz checks’
As the Legislature gets ready for this year’s session, Gov. Tim Walz is pushing for tax relief with part of Minnesota’s budget surplus.
Gov. Tim Walz is the latest elected official to call on Hennepin County's sheriff to resign. That’s after investigative documents today revealed that Sheriff David Hutchison was driving as fast as 126 miles per hour when he rolled over his government-issued SUV on Interstate 94 last month.  This is an MPR News Evening update for January 20, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
MN sports roundup: First woman ever to interview for an NFL general manager job
This week in Minnesota sports, Catherine Raiche of the Philadelphia Eagles made NFL history when she interviewed for the open Vikings general manager position. That and more from Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.
Listener dispatches from Day 1 of the Twin Cities restaurant vaccination mandate
Wednesday was the first day of the latest restaurant vaccination mandates in Minneapolis and St. Paul. We wanted to hear how it went, and listeners answered — here's what you shared with Minnesota Now.
Extreme weather cost $280 billion globally in 2021
Large insurers are calling for urgent action on climate change after another year of costly catastrophic losses because of extreme weather.
Outside experts want changes in state driver’s license system
Minnesota lawmakers and a group of outside experts that reviewed Minnesota’s system for driver’s license testing presented a report Thursday that calls for many changes.
Thursday, jury selection was underway in downtown St. Paul in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers accused of violating George Floyd's civil rights. MPR News editor Brandt Williams previewed the trial for host Cathy Wurzer.
Can we help kids learn to love math?   
Math performance on standardized tests has been dropping for years and worsened during the  pandemic. As the state of Minnesota prepares to revise its math standards for the first time since 2007, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with math educators about the importance of numeracy and how to help children love and understand math. 
Kris Ehresmann, face of Minnesota's COVID response, set to retire
Ehresmann, 59, the state’s infectious disease director and one of the key players in the state’s battle against COVID-19, will retire Feb. 2 after 30 years in public health, officials said Thursday.
Cities across Minnesota declare climate emergencies, demand action
From Moorhead to St. Louis Park, cities around the state are working with the Minnesota Cities Climate Caucus to draw local attention to the climate crisis, calling on state and federal governments for legislative and financial support. 
The big picture: How young people are reshaping spirituality
As we step into a new year, we’re looking to the future of big issues in America. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with researcher Josh Packard about how young people are reshaping the future of religion and spirituality.
Jury seated in trial of 3 ex-MPD cops charged with violating Floyd's civil rights
It took a single day Thursday to find 18 jurors for the federal trial of the three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s constitutional rights. Opening statements are expected Monday.
MN activists return from work with Karen refugees in Myanmar region
Minnesotans Jesse Phenow and Ku Hser recently returned from the Myanmar region, where they helped Karen refugees dealing with displacement and persecution. They told host Cathy Wurzer about their work, the danger they faced and the emotions stirred by the journey.
Previewing the trial of 3 ex-MPD officers in Floyd's death
Jury selection began Thursday in downtown St. Paul for the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers accused of violating George Floyd's civil rights in his 2020 killing. MPR News editor Brandt Williams previewed the trial for host Cathy Wurzer.
Weekend forecast: Two batches of snow, cool temps
We aren’t expecting any big snowstorms this weekend, but we will have two opportunities to shovel a bit of snow. Temperatures will be cool, but not overly cold.
Is the pandemic causing us to behave badly?
The prolonged stress, uncertainty and grief of the pandemic is making people angry — and some of them are taking it out in public. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the increase in pandemic bad behavior with a New York Times journalist. And she talks about the causes of our anger and how to better manage it with a psychologist and an advice columnist.
'Davos Man' is an angry, powerful look at economic inequality
New York Times writer Peter S. Goodman does not like Davos Man. At all. And his new book does an excellent job explaining why — focusing on the rich getting richer as the COVID-19 pandemic raged.
Hennepin sheriff hit 126 mph drunk before crash; Walz calls on him to resign
Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday said Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson should step down after a newly released Minnesota State Patrol report said the sheriff was driving drunk at high speeds in a county-owned SUV before he rolled it on I-94.
Cold Thursday, warmer Friday; snow Friday night
Bitterly cold temperatures should ease into the teens by late afternoon Friday. Three clipper systems in the coming days each bring a chance of some fresh fluffy snow.
'The Urge' says calling addiction a disease is misleading
A psychiatrist says calling it a disease takes important attention away from racism and other things that are often associated with addiction.
Top U.S., European diplomats hold talks on Ukraine crisis
Top American and European diplomats are meeting in Berlin as the allies seek to project a united front to Russia over concerns that it may be planning an invasion of Ukraine. 
The federal courthouse in downtown St. Paul will be locked down tight this week, as jury selection starts in the federal trial of three former police officers charged in connection to the May 2020 killing of George Floyd. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, January 20, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Bitter cold eases this weekend
It’s another bitter cold morning early Thursday: temps are in the teens and negative 20s with wind chills in the negative 20s and 30s. We have another subzero night Thursday night. Temps modify this weekend, into the teens but also some light snow chances return Friday and Saturday nights.
Russia accuses West of plotting 'provocations' in Ukraine
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged Thursday that Ukrainian and Western claims of an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine were a “cover for staging large-scale provocations of their own, including those of military character.”
Explainer: What are U.S. military options to help Ukraine?
The Biden administration is unlikely to answer a further Russian invasion of Ukraine by sending U.S. combat troops. But it could pursue a range of less dramatic yet still risky options, including giving military support to a post-invasion Ukrainian resistance.
Biden predicts Russia will invade Ukraine, warns Putin
President Joe Biden says he thinks Russia will invade Ukraine and is warning President Vladimir Putin that his country would pay a “dear price” in lives lost and a possible cutoff from the global banking system if it does.
Art Hounds recommend tales for young audiences
The Minnesota Children’s Theatre presents the world premiere of “Bina’s Six Apples.” A ceramics sale at Franconia Sculpture Park shows off the artistry of St. Croix Valley potters. And drummer Josh Lubavich of Duluth launches a solo EP.
Biden approval hits new low at one-year mark: AP-NORC poll
President Joe Biden ends his first year in the White House with a clear majority of Americans for the first time disapproving of his handling of the presidency in the face of an unrelenting pandemic and roaring inflation. That's according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Experts see 'red flags' at nonprofit raising big money for Capitol riot defendants
The Patriot Freedom Project has raised around $900,000 to support alleged Jan. 6 Capitol rioters. The group says the funds support defendants, but families have raised concerns about transparency.
Five moments that mattered in Biden's 1st year in the White House
President Joe Biden's 1st year in office was marked by the pandemic fight, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and a tough push to get his agenda through Congress.
Jury selection begins in federal trial for 3 ex-MPD officers
The federal courthouse in downtown St. Paul will be locked down tight this week, as jury selection starts in the federal trial of three former police officers charged in connection to the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.
New Zealand will not impose lockdown when omicron hits
"This stage of the pandemic is different to what we have dealt with before. Omicron is more transmissible," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.