Stories from February 7, 2022

A sustained warmup the remainder of the week
Don’t look for temperatures to dip a whole lot overnight. We’ll see readings in the Twin Cities drop from the upper teens to the lower teens as warmer air streams into the region. Highs Tuesday are going to top out at about 40 degrees or more for much of the southern third of Minnesota.
Senate GOP reveals plan to resolve unemployment fund deficit
Minnesota Senate Republicans released a $2.73 billion proposal to repay the state’s debt to the federal government for unemployment benefits during the pandemic and prevent a looming tax hike on businesses. 
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey answered questions from city council members today about his decision to place a moratorium on no knock police search warrants. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 7, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Why remdesivir, a highly effective treatment, is a last resort for providers
The antiviral infusion was just revived as an early treatment for COVID patients. But the drug is relatively expensive and hard to administer, relegating it what some are calling "stopgap" status.
Senate panel backs $1 million plan to recruit police officers
The senate judiciary advanced legislation to fund a $1 million effort to lure recruits to police jobs amid staffing shortages.
40 degrees returns Tuesday; mild through the week
The remainder of Monday afternoon will be our coolest until Saturday as warmer air is poised to move into Minnesota. We’ll see highs near 40 in the Twin Cities Tuesday under a mix of clouds and sun with 30s to the north and even a 50 possible in southwest Minnesota.
 Is hybrid work the solution? 
Many people working from home during the pandemic love the flexibility but miss the camaraderie of the office. Host Angela Davis talks about the pros and cons of hybrid work. 
Winter Olympics: What to watch for this week
This is the first official week of the Beijing games. Here are a few Olympic events to keep an eye on.
Minnesota Now producer Melissa Townsend talked to two people involved in the awards: Alison Waukau, a liaison with the Hennepin County Library and Diane Wilson, author of one of the books honored in the competition.
Activists demand ban on no-knock warrants after Amir Locke's killing
Guest host Chris Farrell talked with DeRay Mckesson, a civil rights activist and host of the podcast "Pod Save the People" and Minneapolis NAACP President Cynthia Wilson about efforts to get the city of Minneapolis to end no-knock warrants.
At 15, Kamila Valieva just became the 1st woman to land a quad in Olympic history
The teenage Russian athlete landed one of the hardest jumps in figure skating — one that is so difficult, no other woman ever performed it at an Olympics before — and then she did it a second time.
Lawmaker hurt while snowmobiling with colleague
Republican Sen. John Jasinski broke ribs, his pelvis and a vertebrae Friday when he was thrown from a snowmobile Friday after a high speed turn that sent him flying. 
George Floyd asphyxiated in custody, doctor testifies in 3 ex-cops' federal trial
Carbon dioxide levels in Floyd’s blood show that he died of asphyxia and not sudden cardiac arrest, a Boston pulmonary and critical care doctor testified Monday as the trial resumed following a COVID-related pause.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, can be especially bewildering. Guest host Chris Farrell talked about them with Vivian Fang, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota.
Cool Monday; 40 Tuesday and above normal most of the week
Monday will be somewhat cool but not cold. Highs will be in the teens north and near 20 in the south. A big warmup comes Tuesday with highs near 40 in the Twin Cities, 30s north and close to 50 in far southwestern Minnesota.
The federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights is set to resume Monday morning in St. Paul. Proceedings were paused last week after one of the defendants tested positive for COVID-19. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, February 7, 2022. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
A cool start Monday; otherwise a mild week
Many areas in Minnesota are waking up to subzero temperatures early Monday morning but don’t get used to it. Warmer air is on the horizon. We’ll see high temperatures Monday afternoon mainly below normal by a few degrees.
Biden task force releases report to strengthen labor unions
A Biden administration task force has issued a set of recommendations that could make it easier for federal workers and contractors to unionize. The report released Monday includes 70 recommendations.
Towns scores 24 points, Timberwolves beat Pistons 118-105
Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves got a big boost from their bench in a 118-105 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. 
Trial of 3 ex-cops in Floyd killing to resume after COVID pause
The federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s rights is expected to resume after it was paused because one of the defendants tested positive for COVID-19. 
This week at the Capitol: Focus on jobless fund
As the Legislature enters its second week, a push to replenish a pandemic-battered unemployment fund will get plenty of attention and possibly quick action.
U.S. ski champ Mikaela Shiffrin is out of Olympic giant slalom event after falling
Shiffrin, known as the reigning queen of the slopes, fell in her first run in the giant slalom at the Beijing Olympics. It was the first time she did not finish a giant slalom race in four years.