Stories from February 11, 2022

Blizzard plume visible from space; arctic weekend ahead
A ferocious blizzard closed I-94 between Moorhead and Fergus Falls Friday. Heavy snowfall along the North Shore. Highs winds and subzero wind chills invade Minnesota overnight.
Dozens flood Mpls. City Hall with ethics complaints against Mayor Frey
Dozens of people filled the rotunda of the City Hall Friday to file ethics complaints and express their disapproval of the mayor. Many also called for Frey to resign.
A 15-year-old Minneapolis student who was shot Wednesday has died. Deshaun Hill, who played on the football team at North High School, passed away Thursday. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 11, 2022. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Cliffs to idle Northshore Mining as fight over royalty fees intensifies
The company does not want to pay "absurdly high" royalty fees to Mesabi Trust and is using more scrap metal in its electric arc furnaces.
St. Paul teacher’s union to hold strike vote
The executive board of the St. Paul teacher’s union has authorized a strike vote. The district says it doesn’t have funds to pay for teacher demands.
Ontario declares an emergency over truck blockades in Canada
Canadian authorities are turning up the legal and public pressure on protesters to lift their blockades in Ottawa, Ontario, and at the U.S. border, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warning: “This unlawful activity has to end and it will end.”
Love, romance and comedy on Valentine’s Day
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a romance writer and a comedian with two different takes on romance and Valentine’s Day.
Why your Super Bowl chicken wings will cost more this year
There's no fowl play here — just blame the supply chain, our comfort food habits and a simple fact of nature. Wings might be pricier, but there's no shortage of them, experts say.
Latest on COVID in MN: Case counts, ICU needs falling as omicron ebbs
The newest numbers build on recent evidence of an ebb in the pandemic wave that slammed Minnesota following the end-of-year holidays. Public health leaders continue to plead for vigilance against the virus.
Weekend forecast: Cold temps, lighter winds; Sat. evening snow chance
We’ll have very cold temps this weekend, along with ample sunshine. Some of us will see some flakes Saturday evening. We have your updated weekend forecast, plus the latest Minnesota snow depth map.
Minneapolis high school student, 15, dies after shooting
Deshaun Hill, who played on the football team at North High School, and whom staff remembered as an “incredible young man,” died after being shot in Minneapolis.
Blizzard conditions force highway closures in NW Minnesota
Several major highways in west-central and northwestern Minnesota were closed Friday morning as north winds gusting to near 50 mph created blizzard conditions.
Blowing snow, falling temps Friday; cold Saturday
Gusty winds and falling temperatures are spreading across Minnesota, with blizzard conditions in the northwest. Temps fall into the teens Friday afternoon. Expect single-digit highs across most of Minnesota Saturday. Conditions will be slightly warmer Sunday.
The cities last month began requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to enter public places serving food and drink. With the current surge waning, the mayors on Thursday rescinded the controversial orders. Public masking mandates remain in place. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, February 11, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Blustery with falling temperatures, snow showers
While starting out mild early Friday, temperatures will drop through the day as northwest winds howl and bring a return to colder temperatures for the bulk of the weekend along with some scattered snow showers Friday. Blizzard conditions throughout eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota have prompted a no-travel advisory.
Biden to split frozen Afghan funds for 9/11 victims, relief
President Joe Biden is expected to use executive authority to move some $7 billion of the Afghan central bank’s assets frozen in the American funding system to fund humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and compensate victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Teen bystander: Knew instantly Floyd was 'in distress'
Testimony continued Friday in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Bystander Alyssa Funari testified Friday morning that she was going to the corner store when she saw Floyd on the ground with three officers on top of him.
A panel of Minnesota judges will roll out new political maps, likely this coming Tuesday, that will shape Minnesota elections for the next decade. 
New theater production doesn't shy away from taking on serious issues
Coco’s Barrio began as a live performance show that’s part old time radio and part “Saturday Night Live.” But then the pandemic turned everything upside down. Now the show is a podcast.
Latino businesses 'hanging in there' despite pandemic and unrest
A report released in December 2020 showed that 28 percent of Latino-owned businesses faced a reduction in available supplies.