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Stories from February 24, 2022

Federal jury finds 3 ex-cops guilty on all counts in George Floyd killing

After less than two days of deliberations, a federal jury today found J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao guilty on all counts of violating George Floyd's civil rights in his killing. Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody in May 2020. This is an MPR News Evening update for February 24, 2022. Hosted by Natasha Senjanovic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

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Minnesotans of Ukrainian descent worry about loved ones

Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Liliya Kacharova, a chemistry professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and at Lake Superior College, who was born and raised in Ukraine.
by Cathy Wurzer

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MN House passes $1 billion front-line worker pay plan

MN House passes $1 billion front-line worker pay plan

The Minnesota House passed legislation Thursday to spend $1 billion for front-line worker bonuses, but there’s still no agreement with Republicans in the Senate about who should get the bonuses and how much they should total.
by Tim Pugmire

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Mayo Clinic expanding, renovating Mankato campus

Mayo Clinic expanding, renovating Mankato campus

Mayo Clinic Health System is expanding its Mankato hospital by adding three new floors on top of its existing two-story building on the campus.
by Hannah Yang

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Report: People worried about masks, critical race theory barrage Minnesota schools with costly records requests

Report: People worried about masks, critical race theory barrage Minnesota schools with costly records requests

Education news site The 74 Million says one request would cost Rochester Public Schools nearly a million dollars to fulfill. Districts are asking the Legislature for relief, a move that worries some freedom of information advocates.
by Tom Crann

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Are we ready for COVID-19 as a central theme in literature?

Are we ready for COVID-19 as a central theme in literature?

Reading about plagues or COVID-19 over the last two years was not an entertaining idea for many. But the pandemic has had an impact on literature — and people may be ready for it to enter the canon.
by Gabino Iglesias

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Snow may slow Thursday commute; weekend weather looks quiet

Snow may slow Thursday commute; weekend weather looks quiet

Metro area snow totals of 1 to 2 inches are possible, and parts of southeastern Minnesota could see around 3 inches before it tapers off Thursday evening. Expect 20s and 30s over the weekend across Minnesota, with Saturday being the milder day.
by Ron Trenda

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Ukrainian Minnesotan reacts to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian Minnesotan reacts to Russian invasion of Ukraine

We spoke with Liliya Kacharova, a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and at Lake Superior College, who was born and raised in Ukraine.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Sports with Wally and Eric: Baseball's spring training and the brawl in college hoops

Wally Langfellow is the founder of Minnesota Score magazine and cohost of "10-thousand Takes" sports talk show. Eric is the other host of "10-thousand Takes" and is also the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio "Eye on Football."
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Why are more than 1/3 of Minnesota's female senators leaving their posts?

Why are more than 1/3 of Minnesota's female senators leaving their posts?

Eight of Minnesota's 21 female state senators are leaving the legislature this fall. The reasons are complex. Cathy Wurzer talks with former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch - a political strategist and co-host of the political podcast "Wrong about Everything."
by Cathy Wurzer and Melissa Townsend

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Climate change and your cup of joe

Climate change and your cup of joe

Coffee is a very finicky crop, needing just the right “Goldilocks” climate and altitude to produce rich, quality brews. So naturally, climate change is taking a toll.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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Biden hits Russia with sanctions, shifts troops to Germany

Biden hits Russia with sanctions, shifts troops to Germany

President Joe Biden has hit back against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, unleashing robust new sanctions, ordering the deployment of thousands of additional troops to NATO ally Germany, and declaring that America will stand up to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
by The Associated Press

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Showdown brewing over temporary vs. permanent tax cuts

Showdown brewing over temporary vs. permanent tax cuts

Republicans in the Minnesota Senate are pushing for lasting cuts to the income tax rate while DFL Gov. Tim Walz has proposed a one-time rebate among his proposals.
by Brian Bakst

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The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans

The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans

Environmental writer Oliver Milman says habitat loss, pesticides and climate change are killing off insects worldwide, which, in turn, threatens humans. His new book is “The Insect Crisis.”
by Dave Davies

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With Ukraine under attack, Kyiv's residents rush to stock up and reach safety

With Ukraine under attack, Kyiv's residents rush to stock up and reach safety

Many Ukrainians had been maintaining a state of calm as warning signs grew of a Russian invasion. But Russia's wide-scale attack on Ukraine has dramatically changed the mood in the nation's capital.
by Bill Chappell

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Minnesotans with ties to Ukraine feel anxiety, anger over Russian attack

Minnesotans with ties to Ukraine feel anxiety, anger over Russian attack

Minnesotans with family ties to Ukraine spent the hours after Russia's invasion of the country working to reach their loved ones. Elected officials across Minnesota’s political spectrum called for a sharp and unified response.
by MPR News Staff

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Mask mandates lifted in Minneapolis, St. Paul

Mask mandates lifted in Minneapolis, St. Paul

Effective immediately, mayors in both cities say ending the mask requirements comes as cases of COVID have been falling rapidly. The mandates went into effect Jan. 5 during a surge in cases of the omicron variant.
by MPR News Staff

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What to say to kids when the news is scary

What to say to kids when the news is scary

NPR's Life Kit spoke with a handful of child development experts about what parents, teachers and other caregivers can do to help prepare and protect kids from all the scary news out there, whether it's fighting overseas, a school shooting, devastating wildfire or a global pandemic.
by Cory Turner

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Oil surges past $100 a barrel after Russia invades Ukraine

Oil surges past $100 a barrel after Russia invades Ukraine

Oil surged past triple-digit prices for the first time since 2014. The breach of the psychologically significant milestone is bound to reinforce fears about inflation.
by Camila Domonoske

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World expresses outrage, plans stronger Russia sanctions

World expresses outrage, plans stronger Russia sanctions

World leaders are reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with raw outrage and vows of unprecedented sanctions that shroud a sense of powerlessness to defend Ukraine militarily without running the risk of a wider war in Europe.
by The Associated Press

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Minn. lawmaker demands data on Line 3 frac-outs

Enbridge says the pipeline’s permits did not require that it maintain or report the data on drilling fluid that state Sen. John Marty is requesting. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, February 24, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Snow showers arrive early afternoon in Twin Cities; warming trend next week

After another cold, sunny start, clouds are streaming in across Minnesota ahead of afternoon snow for the southern third or so of Minnesota. We can expect snow to spread into southwest Minnesota mid to late morning and arrive in the Twin Cities by around 1 to 2 p.m. and persist into the evening hours.
by Sven Sundgaard

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George Floyd killing: Federal jury finds 3 ex-cops guilty on all counts

George Floyd killing: Federal jury finds 3 ex-cops guilty on all counts

Philonese Floyd, George’s brother, called it a good day but still a sad one. “This is just accountability,” he said of the convictions. “It can never be justice because I can never get George back.”
by Jon Collins and Nina Moini

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Fear, calm among Ukrainians as Russian troops enter

Fear, calm among Ukrainians as Russian troops enter

Although Ukrainians had been warned for weeks that war with Russia was imminent, when the attacks finally came Thursday many seemed not to know how to react.
by The Associated Press

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'Born on the Water' gives Black children in America their origin story

'Born on the Water' gives Black children in America their origin story

Authors Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson discuss the importance of teaching young people about the history of slavery and racism in America with honesty and respect.
by Jason Fuller

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The strategy behind Russia's sarcastic tone towards the West

The strategy behind Russia's sarcastic tone towards the West

Sarcasm isn't a typical approach to diplomacy, but it is one that Russia often takes. While it may seem humorous in the moment, the larger strategy affects how people view the conflict in Ukraine.
by Ayesha Rascoe, Jonaki Mehta and Christopher Intagliata

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Art Hounds: Works of the heart

Art Hounds: Works of the heart

Sheri Grube uses painting to manage and speak about living with chronic pain. Rochester Repertory Theatre prepares to stage the play “Silent Sky” about one woman who helped show the world the vastness of the universe. Art Hounds also recommend Matthew French’s new album.
by Emily Bright

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Next generation video games, diverse characters score big with Minnesota gamers

Next generation video games, diverse characters score big with Minnesota gamers

MPR News asked Minnesotans who enjoy video games and are part of the game development industry how they feel about the representation in the latest games and titles available. Here’s what they had to say.
by Hannah Yang

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Russia invades Ukraine on many fronts in 'brutal act of war'

Russia invades Ukraine on many fronts in 'brutal act of war'

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the post-Cold War security order.
by The Associated Press

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3 decades of turmoil bring Ukraine to perhaps its greatest crisis

3 decades of turmoil bring Ukraine to perhaps its greatest crisis

Since breaking from the Soviet Union, Ukraine has wavered between the influences of Moscow and the West, surviving scandal and conflict with its democracy intact. Now, it faces an existential threat.
by Becky Sullivan

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Light snow, chilly Thursday; early March warmup ahead

Light snow, chilly Thursday; early March warmup ahead

Temperatures remain chilly in the wake of Tuesday’s snowfall and that cold air isn’t going anywhere quite yet. More snow is on the way for the southern third of Minnesota Thursday afternoon.
by Sven Sundgaard

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