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Stories from January 31, 2022

Legislature opens with a big agenda, and a big budget surplus through 2025

Legislature opens with a big agenda, and a big budget surplus through 2025, and Mayo says the COVID peak is likely past. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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A breakdown of the staggering alleged fraud at Feeding Our Future

A breakdown of the staggering alleged fraud at Feeding Our Future

The FBI is alleging employees of St. Anthony, Minn.,-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future set up shell companies and paid themselves millions of dollars with federal money meant to feed people with low incomes. Sahan Journal reporter Andrew Hazzard joined host Cathy Wurzer with the latest.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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MN State High School League doesn't have enough referees. Want to get involved?

MN State High School League doesn't have enough referees. Want to get involved?

There’s a shortage of high school sports referees, and organizers are putting out the call for people to get trained on how to do the job. The coordinator of officials for the Minnesota State High School League joined host Cathy Wurzer with more on the reasons for the shortage and what it’s like to be an official.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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U.S. and Russia share tense exchange at U.N. Security Council meeting

U.S. and Russia share tense exchange at U.N. Security Council meeting

At Monday's U.N. Security Council meeting, the U.S. hoped to get an explanation from Russia of exactly what it was doing regarding Ukraine. But instead, the meeting was full of tense exchanges.
by Wynne Davis and Michele Kelemen

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2 men seriously injured in small plane crash near Hutchinson

Authorities say two men were seriously injured when a single-engine plane crashed in a field south of Hutchinson. 

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Van Gogh exhibit in Mpls. will explore new understanding of the artist's work

Van Gogh exhibit in Mpls. will explore new understanding of the artist's work

"Van Gogh and the Olive Groves” will include the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s own "Olive Trees," plus five oils on loan from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Dallas Museum of Art.
by Euan Kerr

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Starbucks union push spreads to 54 stores in 19 states

Starbucks union push spreads to 54 stores in 19 states

Starbucks workers at 15 additional stores are petitioning for a a union election, pushing to organize cafes across the country. In Buffalo, the first store to unionize is negotiating a contract.
by Alina Selyukh

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Bars, masks and taxes: The Legislature is back in town

Bars, masks and taxes: The Legislature is back in town

The governor shared treats, and leaders launched trial balloons as the Minnesota Legislature began its 2022 session Monday.
by Tim Pugmire

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Analysis: How will the Legislature use the state budget surplus?

The 2022 session at the Minnesota Capitol has gaveled to order, and legislators are making plans for the state’s $7.7 billion budget surplus. MPR politics reporter Brian Bakst joined host Cathy Wurzer to examine statements from Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller and DFL Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Politics reporter Brian Bakst analyzes legislators' plans for budget surplus

Politics reporter Brian Bakst analyzes legislators' plans for budget surplus

The 2022 session at the Minnesota Capitol has gaveled to order, and legislators are making plans for the state’s $7.7 billion budget surplus. MPR News politics reporter Brian Bakst joined host Cathy Wurzer to examine statements from Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller and DFL Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman.
by Cathy Wurzer, Melissa Townsend and Brian Bakst

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Parent sues Rocori schools over accusations of racist bullying

Parent sues Rocori schools over accusations of racist bullying

A Cold Spring parent is suing a central Minnesota school district over racist bullying and harassment she says her Black children endured at school. The lawsuit accuses the district of violating the Civil Rights Act by failing to respond to repeated reports of harassment.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Grandparenting during the pandemic 

Grandparenting during the pandemic 

Grandparents have always stepped up to support grandchildren, but during the pandemic that love looks a bit different. Tuesday, host Angela Davis talks with two grandmothers — a journalist and an early childhood education leader  — about how elders are providing child care and trying to bridge the distance on Zoom. 
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Omicron amps up concerns about long-COVID and its causes

Omicron amps up concerns about long-COVID and its causes

As coronavirus infections soar worldwide, scientists are racing to pinpoint the cause of the baffling condition and find new treatments before a potential explosion of cases.
by The Associated Press

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Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner back with a new fantasy world to get lost in

Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner back with a new fantasy world to get lost in

If you have family members — especially kids — who like to read fantasy, take heed: Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner Brian Farrey is publishing a new novel on Tuesday. He told host Cathy Wurzer about "The Counterclockwise Heart" and his writing process.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Free training attracts more nursing students

Free training attracts more nursing students

An effort to increase the number of certified nursing assistants in Minnesota by providing free training has filled classes across the state. But a state official says the momentum must be maintained if the state wants to address the demand for thousands of workers in Minnesota nursing homes.
by Dan Gunderson

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Get ready for more cold after a mild Monday

Get ready for more cold after a mild Monday

We have another 24 hours of milder weather to enjoy before a return of colder, windy conditions that will sweep across Minnesota. Highs Monday will be in the low 30s in the south. Cold slips into the northwestern corner of Minnesota Monday night.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Two books about music that go beyond the notes

Two books about music that go beyond the notes

Kerri Miller recommends a fictional account of a Black violinist with unexpected gifts, and a biography of a legendary musician who left a deep influence on the jazz scene.
by Kerri Miller

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Towns scores 31 in Wolves' win over Jazz; Ingles injured

Towns scores 31 in Wolves' win over Jazz; Ingles injured

Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Jaden McDaniels scored a season-high 22 points off the bench, and the Timberwolves routed the shorthanded Utah Jazz 126-106 on Sunday night.
by The Associated Press

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Mild start to the week, cold blast ahead

Mild start to the week, cold blast ahead

Enjoy another day and a half of milder weather. We should see highs near or above freezing for much of southern Minnesota Monday and 20s north. Expect sunshine most of the day filtered through high clouds. It’ll be a bit breezy from the south/southeast with winds at 8-14 mph.  
by Sven Sundgaard

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Big surplus, big stakes as Legislature reconvenes

Minnesota’s divided Legislature returns to action Monday with lawmakers proposing competing ideas about how to spend a record projected $7.7 billion budget surplus. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, January 31, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.  Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Celebrations for Year of the Tiger are muted, but bring hope

Celebrations for Year of the Tiger are muted, but bring hope

People across Asia prepared Monday for muted Lunar New Year celebrations amid concerns over the coronavirus and virulent omicron variant, but were looking ahead with hope that the region's high vaccination rates might bring life closer to normal in the coming year.
by The Associated Press

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Will millennials ever retire?

Will millennials ever retire?

Baby boomers and Gen X are looking forward to retirement. But millennials are agonizing over making and saving enough to retire. Why? Is there anything young people can do now so they can retire later? 
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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Home generator sales are booming with mass outages, climate change and COVID

Home generator sales are booming with mass outages, climate change and COVID

More extreme weather can mean extended blackouts, and it's especially disruptive for those working at home. Owners and experts offer guidance on what kind of generator to get and how to use it safely.
by Jeff Brady

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Three ex-cops' trial in Floyd killing enters second week

Three ex-cops' trial in Floyd killing enters second week

Prosecutors will likely bring more policing and medical experts to the stand this week in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers. The defense argued last week the “tragedy” of Floyd’s death was not the fault of Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao.
by Jon Collins

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Big surplus, big stakes as Legislature reconvenes

Big surplus, big stakes as Legislature reconvenes

Minnesota’s divided Legislature returns to action Monday with lawmakers proposing competing ideas about how to spend a record projected $7.7 billion budget surplus. 
by Tim Pugmire

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Rams and Bengals will meet in LA for Super Bowl LVI. Here's what to know

Rams and Bengals will meet in LA for Super Bowl LVI. Here's what to know

The Bengals will be vying for their first-ever Super Bowl win when they play the Rams, who are going for their second title — this time on their home turf. The teams haven't met since 2019.
by Wynne Davis

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