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Stories from January 26, 2022

Biden cancels mining leases near BWCA

The Biden Administration has canceled two federal mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota. The move deals a potentially fatal blow to the proposed copper-nickel mine near Ely. This is an MPR News Evening update for January 26, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

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MN board suspends medical license of jail doctor

MN board suspends medical license of jail doctor

Dr. Todd Leonard’s company, MEnD Correctional Care, has been scrutinized for its role in inmate deaths, including Hardel Sherrell, who died in the Beltrami County jail in 2018.
by Kirsti Marohn

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State program supports firefighters facing cancer, cardiac issues, emotional trauma

State program supports firefighters facing cancer, cardiac issues, emotional trauma

Thanks to the new $4 million Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, firefighters now have a safety net for mental and physical health issues. The executive director of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Vaccine mandate to kick in for first wave of health workers in MN, other states

Vaccine mandate to kick in for first wave of health workers in MN, other states

Health care workers in about half the states, including Minnesota, face a Thursday deadline to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine under a Biden administration mandate that will be rolled out across the rest of the country in the coming weeks.
by The Associated Press

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A doctor answers questions on omicron plateauing, breakthroughs, N95s, kids at school

A doctor answers questions on omicron plateauing, breakthroughs, N95s, kids at school

As omicron continues to race through greater Minnesota, we’re collecting your questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Melanie Swift of Mayo Clinic returned to answer more listener questions with host Cathy Wurzer.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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MN Senate Republicans set crime, tax cuts as top session priorities

MN Senate Republicans set crime, tax cuts as top session priorities

Senate Republicans are prioritizing permanent tax cuts, longer prison sentences for violent crimes, and a focus on education basics for the legislative session that starts next week. Gov. Tim Walz proposed an anti-crime initiative, focused on grants to local governments and neighborhood groups.
by Tim Pugmire and Brian Bakst

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A week before retirement, Kris Ehresmann looks back on 30 years at MDH

As the state Health Department’s director of infectious disease, Kris Ehresmann has become a familiar face to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. She gave an exit interview to MPR News ahead of her February retirement.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Where to find a COVID booster in Minnesota (and more booster questions, answered)

Where to find a COVID booster in Minnesota (and more booster questions, answered)

Federal officials have opened the door wide to people seeking COVID-19 boosters. Here’s where you can find one in Minnesota and what you should know about how they work.
by The Associated Press, MPR News Staff and NPR Staff

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Peter Robbins, who voiced Charlie Brown in the 1960s, has died

Peter Robbins, who voiced Charlie Brown in the 1960s, has died

As a child actor, Robbins voiced one of Charlie Brown's most famous lines — "I got a rock" — in “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
by Bill Chappell

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Mayo COVID modeler: Omicron peaks this week

Mayo COVID modeler: Omicron peaks this week

Mayo Clinic’s model suggests that the seven-day average for reported cases in Minnesota will peak in the next few days.
by Catharine Richert

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Cryosphere: Coldest January in 8 years for Minnesota

Cryosphere: Coldest January in 8 years for Minnesota

January is delivering a good old-fashioned winter. After a mild fall and slightly milder than average December, vigorous winter weather has kicked in across Minnesota this month.
by Paul Huttner

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Women are underrepresented in music industry. This MN DJ is putting more women on air.

Women are underrepresented in music industry. This MN DJ is putting more women on air.

Only 20 percent of artists on the 2020 Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Charts were women. Kari Hedlund, music director at KAXE/KBXE community radio, told host Cathy Wurzer about her mission to put more music by women on the air.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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'Honor' is a searing meditation on the meaning of dignity in a dehumanizing world

'Honor' is a searing meditation on the meaning of dignity in a dehumanizing world

Thrity Umrigar's novel is about India's humanitarian crisis — with its depictions of misogyny and scenes of public shaming, mistreatment and torture — but it's also about a transformative journey.
by Sharmila Mukherjee

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Soon to retire, Kris Ehresmann looks back on 30 years in public health

Soon to retire, Kris Ehresmann looks back on 30 years in public health

As the state Health Department’s director of infectious disease, Kris Ehresmann has become a familiar face to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. She gave an exit interview to MPR News ahead of her February retirement.
by Cathy Wurzer, Kyle Shiely and Melissa Townsend

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Great Northern Festival celebrates winter culture through art, sport and discussion

Great Northern Festival celebrates winter culture through art, sport and discussion

Over the next 10 days, the Great Northern Festival’s events will encourage Minnesotans to celebrate winter culture, while especially considering climate change and the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd.
by Euan Kerr

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Dangerous cold starts to move out; warmer by evening

Dangerous cold starts to move out; warmer by evening

Dangerously cold wind chills dominated much of the eastern half of Minnesota early Wednesday. We warm up quickly Wednesday. By early Thursday morning, temperatures will be well into the 20s, even near 30 in southern Minnesota ahead of another shot of colder air.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Flaws plague a tool meant to help low-risk federal prisoners win early release

Flaws plague a tool meant to help low-risk federal prisoners win early release

The Justice Department created an algorithm to measure a person's risk of committing a new crime after leaving prison. But even after multiple tweaks the tool is leading to racial disparities.
by Carrie Johnson

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Witness testimony continues in trial of 3 former MPD officers

More bystanders to George Floyd’s killing are expected to testify Wednesday at the federal courthouse in St. Paul. The three former Minneapolis police officers on trial are charged with violating Floyd’s civil rights. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Frigid air departs after Wednesday morning

Frigid air departs after Wednesday morning

We’re seeing temperatures that rival our coldest readings yet across the Twin Cities. We were minus 17 on Jan. 7 and we’re at minus 16 so far early Wednesday. Wind chill values are in the minus 30s across the Twin Cities and for much of the state. That’s dangerously cold. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes.
by Sven Sundgaard

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AP source: Vikings hire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as GM

AP source: Vikings hire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as GM

According to a person with knowledge of the process, the Minnesota Vikings have hired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their general manager. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Vikings had not yet announced the decision. 
by The Associated Press

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Biden's big test: Proving he can rally allies against Putin

Biden's big test: Proving he can rally allies against Putin

President Joe Biden’s effort to rally support, both at home and abroad, ahead of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine is just the latest big test of his ability to bridge ideological gaps and balance competing interests to build effective coalitions.
by The Associated Press

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George Floyd: Paramedic testifies in 3 cops' federal trial

George Floyd: Paramedic testifies in 3 cops' federal trial

A third day of testimony concluded Wednesday in the federal trial of three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd's constitutional rights, with prosecutors calling to the stand the paramedic who arrived on the scene and thought Floyd was already dead.
by Nina Moini

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Edwards has 40 points, Timberwolves down Blazers 109-107

Edwards has 40 points, Timberwolves down Blazers 109-107

Anthony Edwards had 40 points, including 14 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 109-107 on Tuesday night.
by The Associated Press

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Forest Service slashes BWCA permits to protect wilderness. Some say the cuts go too far

Forest Service slashes BWCA permits to protect wilderness. Some say the cuts go too far

Canoeists eager to take a summer trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can start making reservations Wednesday. But competition for those permits could be more intense this year after the Forest Service slashed the number of available slots.
by Dan Kraker

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50 years ago, Gophers game ended in legendary brawl

Fifty years ago, Ohio State was ranked the six best college basketball team in the country, and the Gophers were 10 places behind them, at No. 16. Minnesota’s new coach, Bill Musselman, was an Ohio native, apparently stoking the rivalry between the two teams.
by Tim Nelson

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