Stories from March 4, 2022

Minnesota lawmakers at odds over drought relief package
Minnesota farmers and ranchers still reeling from last summer's drought are asking the Legislature for urgency on relief, though lawmakers on either side of the aisle have yet to agree on what a final package should look like.
Winter storm and ice storm warnings; wintry mix moves in overnight
Our long-advertised weekend slop storm is still on track to impact Minnesota this weekend. The first wave of action starts overnight into Saturday morning.
Walz orders Minnesota to terminate Russian contracts
The Minnesota governor has signed an executive order that condemns the Russian invasion and offers support to the people of Ukraine.
Ask us anything about the tax code
The ides of April – or April 15th – is Tax Day. The day has been immortalized in everything from specialty cakes to pop songs. This year the 15th is a Friday so you get the weekend, and don’t have to file until Monday the 18th. If those two extra days are when you plan to get your taxes done, we feel you. 
Proposed contract offers raises, incentive payments to MPD officers
According to a summary of the tentative agreement, Minneapolis officers would receive incentives totaling $7,000 in addition to yearly raises of 1 to 2.5 percent. 
Heather Havrilesky on the 'divine tedium' of a long marriage
If we knew then what we know now, would we jump into the pool of matrimony quite so quickly? A new book takes a look at the joys and irritations of being with the same person for a long time.
Read these 6 books about Ukraine
The Russian invasion has sparked an interest in books about Ukraine. There are many out there. If you're not sure where to get started, we've got you covered.
How well do you know LGBTQ+ terms?
The term LGBTQ+, with plus meaning that it’s ever-expanding, encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer and more.
Slop drop: Freezing rain, sleet, rain, snow set to mess with Minnesota
A mild Friday leads to a messy Saturday of freezing rain and rain with snowfall Saturday night. The heaviest snow is expected to fall in a narrow band from west-central Minnesota northeast to Lake Superior; 1 or 2 inches or less is likely in the Twin Cities region.
Hennepin Healthcare’s CEO says she has “taken action” against two white employees who allegedly appear in a photo wearing blackface makeup. The image was emailed to leaders of the county health system last month and published this week in the Star Tribune. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, March 4, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Helmet worn by Amelia Earhart sells for $825,000 at auction
A leather helmet that Amelia Earhart wore on a flight across the Atlantic in 1928 and later lost in a crowd of fans in Cleveland has sold at auction for $825,000.
Explainer: How dangerous was Russia's nuclear plant strike?
Russian shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant that sparked a fire at one of its six reactors has raised fears of a disaster that could affect all of central Europe for decades, like the 1986 Chernobyl meltdown. 
March storm brings wintry mix to Minnesota Friday night into Sunday
Temperatures early Friday are generally warmer across southern Minnesota, mainly in the 20s. Northeastern Minnesota is frigid yet again with teens below zero. We’ll see a milder day Friday with highs back in the 30s to near 40 in the south and 20s north. Clouds will increase through the day with a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain, and snow moving into Minnesota late Friday evening.
Wild rally past Flyers 5-4, snap 4-game losing streak
Ryan Hartman had two goals and Jonas Brodin and Matt Boldy scored 25 seconds apart in the third period to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
'The Wonders' portrays the struggles of working women
Elena Medel's novel follows two women, separated in time but facing similar class and gender dynamics. It particularly explores the challenges of motherhood.
Attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant triggers worldwide alarm
U.N. and Ukrainian officials say no radiation was released from a Russian attack at Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant in Ukraine and firefighters have extinguished a blaze at the facility. 
Medical respite provides vital care to people experiencing homelessness
The Bob Tavani Home for Respite Care in Duluth is part of a growing number of new facilities around the country designed to give people experiencing homelessness a place to recover after they’ve been discharged from the hospital. But many are grassroots efforts run on shoestring budgets.
How a Hopkins junior high is attempting to use student input to change school culture
A junior high school in the Hopkins district has struggled with safety in their hallways and cafeteria. They’ve spent months polling students and staff on how to improve the school culture. 
Hennepin Healthcare CEO says she's 'taken action' over blackface photo
Hennepin Healthcare’s CEO says she has “taken action” against two white employees who allegedly appear in a photo wearing blackface makeup. The image was emailed to leaders of the county health system last month and published this week in the Star Tribune.