Stories from January 24, 2022

Arctic again: Twin Cities could hit 17 below Wednesday morning
A brief but frigid arctic air mass moves in through Wednesday morning. Temperatures could challenge the coldest readings so far this winter in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota groups unite to oppose marijuana legalization
Several businesses, trade groups and social organizations formed the Minnesotans Against Marijuana Legalization on Monday as the measure’s supporters signal another push for the issue ahead of the start of the legislative session next week.
Human smuggling suspect from Florida released without bond
A Florida man arrested for human smuggling after the bodies of four people were found near the Canada and U.S. border during a blizzard has been released from jail without having to pay bond.
Federal trial opens for three Minneapolis cops charged in George Floyd civil rights case, and appeals court turns back key copper-nickel mining water permit. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
'Fro-gahhh' — It's frozen yoga, and it's happening on Lake Harriet
Winter in Minnesota means cross-country skiing, ice skating and … yoga on the surface of a frozen lake. We sent producer Lindsay Guentzel to the Art Shanty Projects on Lake Harriet to learn more about “fro-gahhh” firsthand, and then host Cathy Wurzer spoke to one of the instructors (from the relative warmth of a studio).
Native communities say MN's foster care system as harmful as boarding schools of the past
The modern-day foster care system in Minnesota may be as harmful to Native American communities as the boarding schools Native children were forced to attend into the 1970s. The journalist behind an investigation from The Fuller Project and Mother Jones told host Cathy Wurzer more.
Moorhead police: Poison gas that killed 7 came from furnace
Police in Moorhead, Minn., have said blood samples from the victims showed a lethal level of carbon monoxide, but further testing was needed to determine whether the source was the furnace or a van parked in an attached garage. 
The doctor didn't show up, but the hospital ER still billed $1,012
A toddler burned his hand on the stove. The pediatrician told mom over the phone to take him to the emergency room. But after a long wait for a doctor who never showed, they left. Then the bill came.
How to spend less when everything costs more
We’re paying about 90 cents more per gallon of gas compared to a year ago. Inflation hit 7 percent last year overall, affecting everything from food to furniture. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with personal finance experts about how to save money when consumer goods cost more. 
Study: Cash aid could help boost babies’ brain development
Some Twin Cities mothers are part of a study of the connection between cash aid programs and babies' brain development.
Crime debate begins in advance of legislative session
Democrats in the Minnesota House said Monday they want to spend $100 million on several initiatives that they believe will help tackle crime. Republicans said the plan won’t hold criminals accountable. 
The employment landscape is shifting. Should you look for a new job?
A whole lot of people are calling it quits and leaving their jobs in what some are calling the Great Resignation. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with a career development expert about how you can approach a career transition in these unprecedented times.
In response to a wave of carjackings, Hennepin County officials are paying special focus to concerns related to youth offenders. Catherine Johnson is the director of the county department of corrections and was a Minneapolis cop for over 20 years. She spoke about youth and carjackings with host Cathy Wurzer.
Textbook La Niña winter unfolding in Minnesota
Overall, it appears this winter will most likely come in near or slightly colder than average across much of Minnesota, with near to above-average snowfall.
State court reverses PolyMet water permit, but sides with company on other issues
The state appeals court has reversed a key permit for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine, sending it back to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for additional analysis of its impacts to groundwater. But in a mixed ruling, the court also sided with PolyMet and the MPCA on several issues.
Finding the 'happy bubble': Mental health key for Olympians
Recent revelations about the stresses athletes face have helped the public see athletes as human beings who go through ups and downs, just like everyone else. It also helped athletes feel more comfortable about sharing their mental health challenges. 
What library lovers are reading
As a library lover herself, Kerri Miller introduces you to the books that are in greatest demand in the nation’s libraries.
Your Wordle strategy says a lot about how you see the world
It did not take long for me to conclude that Wordle is a metaphor for life, meaning that you can learn a lot about different ways to see the world from different ways to play Wordle.
How Hennepin's director of corrections is approaching youth and carjackings
In response to a wave of carjackings, Hennepin County officials are paying special focus to concerns related to youth offenders. The director of the county department of corrections — who was a Minneapolis cop for over 20 years — weighs in on prevention and public safety efforts.
Rep. Garofalo: ‘There’s a better chance than not’ that sports betting passes this session
Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer he thinks the Legislature will pass a bill legalizing sports betting this session. He said lawmakers in Minnesota would need to decide who would be able to offer sports gambling at what facilities and what taxes and regulations would apply.
Subzero blast set to sweep Minnesota through Tuesday, then temps ease
Temperatures hold or fall through the day Monday. Expect single digits for the southern half of Minnesota and subzero readings in northern Minnesota. Subzero temperatures on Tuesday give way to high teens and 20s above zero by Wednesday.
After the snow, more bitter cold
After yet another fresh coating of snow, temperatures are set to drop once again. Expect temperatures to largely remain in the single digits Monday, perhaps popping briefly into the low teens this afternoon before falling this evening.
Opening arguments start Monday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s constitutional rights. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, January 24, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Prosecutor: Cops could have stopped Chauvin, saved George Floyd
Defense attorneys described Floyd's death as a tragedy, but not a crime by their clients as opening arguments began Monday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating Floyd’s constitutional rights.
Vintage winter ride recalls snowmobile glory days
A father and son from Fargo are riding vintage snowmobiles 500 miles across Minnesota. The duo are raising money for charity and drawing attention to the International 500 — a snowmobile race from Winnipeg to St. Paul that was a big part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival decades ago.
U.S. weighs sending 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to counter Russia
Biden is considering sending up to 5,000 troops to Eastern European countries, including Romania and Poland, a U.S. official told NPR. Russia has stationed 100,000 troops near Ukraine.
Arrowhead 135 returns to Minnesota's north woods later this month
Dozens of athletes will gather once again in far northern Minnesota later this month for a grueling 135-mile race through the wilderness — putting their training and endurance to the test in the depths of winter.