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Stories from February 3, 2022

Minnesota man buys billboard ad space to smack talk his fishing buddy

Minnesota man buys billboard ad space to smack talk his fishing buddy

A long history of smack talk is reaching new levels. An electronic billboard seen just outside Brainerd last week, reads: "This is Troy. He sucks at fishing." 

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Pressure grows on Minneapolis to release body camera footage in police shooting

Pressure grows on Minneapolis to release body camera footage in police shooting, and Betty Whiteout will put a tribute to the Hollywood icon as a name on a state snowplow, in the annual name a snowplow contest.

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MN sports roundup: The Vikings have picked a new head coach

MN sports roundup: The Vikings have picked a new head coach

The Vikings have chosen Kevin O’Connell of the Los Angeles Rams as their new head coach — are they gearing up for a rebuild? That and more in another Minnesota sports roundup with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson.
by Cathy Wurzer and Alex Cheng

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5 beaches in the Duluth area unsafe for recreation due to E. coli

5 beaches in the Duluth area unsafe for recreation due to E. coli

A recent study by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found five beaches in the Duluth area have experienced spikes in E. coli bacteria, making them unsafe for recreational use. MPCA official Lindsey Krumrie joined host Cathy Wurzer to look at what needs to be done to make these areas safe.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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A new mom remembers the shuttered labor and delivery unit at Regina Hospital in Hastings

A new mom remembers the shuttered labor and delivery unit at Regina Hospital in Hastings

Thursday, the labor and delivery unit at Regina Hospital in Hastings, Minn., closed for good due to budget concerns. A new mom and area resident who wrote on Facebook that the closure “breaks her heart” told host Cathy Wurzer about her experience giving birth at the hospital.
by Cathy Wurzer, Kelly Gordon and Alex Cheng

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Bodycam video shows man under blanket, holding gun before Minneapolis cop shoots

Bodycam video shows man under blanket, holding gun before Minneapolis cop shoots

The footage shows Wednesday’s fatal shooting of Amir Locke by Minneapolis police at a downtown apartment. On Friday, the Hennepin County prosecutor said he and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will jointly review the case for possible charges.
by Jon Collins, Matt Sepic and Tim Nelson

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Minnesotan, star skier Jessie Diggins looks forward to the Olympics

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Minnesota will be represented by many athletes, including Olympic gold medal-winning skier Jessie Diggins. She recently reflected on the pressure she feels as a star of Team USA, the unpredictability of COVID-19 and the hometown support she feels in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Vaccines for kids ages 2 to 5 may be on the way. Here's what we know so far.

Vaccines for kids ages 2 to 5 may be on the way. Here's what we know so far.

Pfizer is submitting data to the FDA on a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 2 to 5, which is generally the first step in requesting emergency use authorization. A specialist in vaccines at Children’s Minnesota told host Cathy Wurzer what we know so far and what this could mean for families and the pandemic.
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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The Winter Olympics start Friday. Here's how to follow along

The Winter Olympics start Friday. Here's how to follow along

The 2022 Olympics kick off in Beijing on Friday. Here's how to watch the opening ceremony and follow NPR's coverage for the next two weeks.
by Rachel Treisman

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Federal trial of former MPD cops raises court access concerns

Federal trial of former MPD cops raises court access concerns

Minnesotans and the world watched a live broadcast of the murder trial of Derek Chauvin almost one year ago. But unlike the state trial, federal courtroom proceedings involving the men accused of violating George Floyd's civil rights are not available for view outside the courthouse in downtown St. Paul.
by Nina Moini

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As the Olympics begin, star skier Jessie Diggins reflects on pressure, uncertainty of COVID-19

As the Olympics begin, star skier Jessie Diggins reflects on pressure, uncertainty of COVID-19

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Minnesota will be represented by many athletes, including Olympic gold medal-winning skier Jessie Diggins. She recently reflected on the pressure she feels as a star of Team USA, the unpredictability of COVID-19 and the hometown support she feels in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Weekend weather: Mild, breezy Saturday; cooler Sunday

Weekend weather: Mild, breezy Saturday; cooler Sunday

Most of southern Minnesota will see Saturday highs in the 30s, with 20s and a few upper teens in northern Minnesota. We have your weekend forecast details, including some snow chances.
by Ron Trenda

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Minnesota lawmakers push back on plan to charge for online court records

Members of a Capitol panel on Thursday questioned a plan by the state’s court system to soon start charging $8 a document to look at court records on a new web-based records system. 
by Tim Nelson

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Minn. lawmakers push bonuses, loan relief to recruit cops

Minn. lawmakers push bonuses, loan relief to recruit cops

The Minnesota Legislature is considering several police recruitment and retention bills as part of a broader public safety debate this session.
by Brian Bakst

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What will happen to the International Space Station when it is retired?

What will happen to the International Space Station when it is retired?

NASA says the International Space Station will stop operating at the end of 2030. After that, the space agency plans to crash the football field-sized craft into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.
by Joe Hernandez

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Thursday stays arctic cold; warmer temps by Saturday

Thursday stays arctic cold; warmer temps by Saturday

Subzero weather continues across much of Minnesota Thursday and overnight. Friday brings highs in the teens for most of Minnesota. Highs Saturday will be in the 30s in the south, 20s in the north. Highs by Tuesday could reach 40 degrees in the Twin Cities.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Why power entices the wrong kind of people

Why power entices the wrong kind of people

Why do so many leaders become authoritarian, violent or just plain dishonest? A new book explores the relationship of power to corruption. Join Kerri Miller for more Big Books and Bold Ideas with author Brian Klaas. 
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Across frozen rural Minnesota highway, the beets went on

Across frozen rural Minnesota highway, the beets went on

A truck full of sugar beets spilled part of its load on Wednesday night, leaving Highway 12 west of Murdock scattered with thousands of “basically just rocks,” according to a warning posted on Facebook by the Swift County Sheriff’s Office. 
by Tim Nelson

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Activists demand release of bodycam footage in MPD shooting

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a fatal shooting by a Minneapolis police officer on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred in a downtown apartment, as SWAT officers tried to serve a search warrant. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has not said whether he will release video of the incident immediately, as has happened in other shootings involving police in the area. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, February 3, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Our coldest morning of the week gives way to a warm up

Our coldest morning of the week gives way to a warm up

It’s (yet another) dangerously cold morning across the region early Thursday. Wind chills are as cold as 50 below zero in northwest Minnesota. Wind chills in eastern Minnesota are mainly in the minus 20s where skin can still freeze in 15 minutes.
by Sven Sundgaard

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U.S., McKennie beat cold, Honduras in dominant 3-0 win

U.S., McKennie beat cold, Honduras in dominant 3-0 win

The U.S. beat winless Honduras 3-0 in a World Cup qualifying match. Weston McKennie and Walker Zimmerman had first-half goals to give the U.S. an early spark on a frigid night. Then a fresh Christian Pulisic scored after entering as a second-half sub.
by The Associated Press and MPR News Staff

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Songs of love and creatives Art Hounds admire

Songs of love and creatives Art Hounds admire

Jay Fuchs presents a love-themed cabaret show in St. Paul ahead of Valentine’s Day; Alexandria, Minn., photographer Lou Ann Marks’ enthusiasm for cellphone photography draws attention, and an appreciation for Americana musician Jud Hailey.
by Emily Bright

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All-Star Talbot makes 30 saves, Wild beat Blackhawks 5-0

All-Star Talbot makes 30 saves, Wild beat Blackhawks 5-0

Cam Talbot made 30 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 on Wednesday night to extended their points streak to 10 games. 
by The Associated Press

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As the Olympics open, China seeks the limelight, but warns against criticism

As the Olympics open, China seeks the limelight, but warns against criticism

As the Winter Olympics begin Friday, China is welcoming the world at a time when Beijing's aggressive foreign policy is creating friction with several other parts of the globe.
by Greg Myre

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Biden says U.S. strike killed ISIS leader in Syria

Biden says U.S. strike killed ISIS leader in Syria

President Joe Biden said the counterterrorism operation in northern Syria took out ISIS leader Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi – and that all Americans returned safely from the operation.
by Peter Granitz

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Parents of Missouri student sue fraternity over hazing

The parents of a Minnesota man allege in a lawsuit that he has been unresponsive and requires constant medical care since being forced to drink a bottle of vodka at a fraternity at the University of Missouri.
by The Associated Press

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Harbaugh to stay at Michigan; Vikings target Rams' O'Connell

Harbaugh to stay at Michigan; Vikings target Rams' O'Connell

Jim Harbaugh will stay at Michigan after all. He has ended his dalliance with a return to the NFL after interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings for their head coach vacancy. The Vikings have targeted Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell for the job instead.
by The Associated Press

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