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Stories from March 16, 2022

What could cause Minnesota justice system to come to a screeching halt? Another strike.

A large portion of the Minnesota justice system could come to a screeching halt as early as next week as 470 public defenders and 200 support staff consider a potential strike. The group rejected the state’s latest contract offer last Thursday and voted to authorize a strike that could start next week.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

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North Star Journey: Community members weigh in on the future of St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood

North Star Journey: Community members weigh in on the future of St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood

This time when the state decides how to move forward with the aging freeway, Black residents say they will make sure they are included and centered in the discussion.
by Cathy Wurzer and Nina Moini

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New developments in the Minneapolis teachers strike, with some reports of movement

New developments in the Minneapolis teachers strike, with some reports of movement. Also, a woman from Winona says her son has disappeared in Ukraine, as Russian forces closed in. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Russia's onslaught continues amid optimism over talks

Russia's onslaught continues amid optimism over talks

Russian forces are raining fire on Kyiv and other major cities, with Ukrainian authorities saying an airstrike destroyed a theater where hundreds of people were sheltering in Mariupol. 
by The Associated Press

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Rebroadcast: Child-free by choice

The birth rate in the U.S. declined for the sixth straight year in 2020, and according to the Pew Research Center, more people say they don’t plan on having children. In this rebroadcast of a popular conversation host Angela Davis had in January, a sociologist and a novelist weigh in on their personal decisions to not have children. And listeners share their stories.
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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Biden calls Putin a war criminal

Biden calls Putin a war criminal

President Joe Biden on Tuesday was asked by reporters whether he was ready to call Russian President Putin a war criminal. "I think he is a war criminal," he said.
by NPR Washington Desk

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Starbucks plans to phase out paper cups in the U.S. and Canada

Starbucks plans to phase out paper cups in the U.S. and Canada

As part of the company's goal to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030, customers will be able to bring a reusable cup to get their drinks by the end of next year.
by Deepa Shivaram

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Ask a Bookseller: 'One for the Blackbird and One for the Crow'

Ask a Bookseller: 'One for the Blackbird and One for the Crow'

We're continuing our Women's History Month theme on "Ask a Bookseller." This week, Jessica Bohnsack of Sheridan Stationery Books and Gallery in Sheridan, Wyo., was happy to recommend a historical fiction novel set in her state: "One for the Blackbird and One for the Crow" by Olivia Hawker.
by Emily Bright

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MPR's Paul Huttner talks warming weather in Minnesota

MPR's Paul Huttner talks warming weather in Minnesota

MPR's chief meteorologist Paul Huttner joins host Cathy Wurzer to talk about upcoming warmer temperatures across Minnesota, the pine tree effect, April snowfall, flooding risk and gaining daylight.
by Cathy Wurzer and Paul Huttner

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North High community creates spaces for students during teacher strike

North High community creates spaces for students during teacher strike

North High parents and community members have organized safe spaces for students while Minneapolis educators are on strike. Students want to be back in school, but support their teachers.
by Becky Z. Dernbach

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Rebroadcast: What if we canceled student loan debt?

Rebroadcast: What if we canceled student loan debt?

We listen back to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had in January 2022 with two researchers about the debate on student loan debt and whether canceling debt is the best way to address the student debt crisis. 
by Samantha Matsumoto and Angela Davis

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'The Object Podcast' launches its fourth season on the hidden stories behind Mia's art collection

'The Object Podcast' launches its fourth season on the hidden stories behind Mia's art collection

Art tells us the story of who we are. At least that’s what Tim Gihring believes. He is the host of the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s award-winning podcast called The Object.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

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A warm Wednesday; cooler air moves in Thursday

A warm Wednesday; cooler air moves in Thursday

A mild Wednesday with widespread 50s and even 60s in southern Minnesota will give way to cooler temperatures Thursday behind a cold front. Northern Minnesota could see a few light rain showers Wednesday as well.
by Sven Sundgaard

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In Ukraine, writer-photographer Yevgenia Belorusets documents Kyiv's displaced

In Ukraine, writer-photographer Yevgenia Belorusets documents Kyiv's displaced

Belorusets' book “Lucky Breaks,” written in the aftermath of Russia's previous assault into Ukraine in 2014, was published in English this month. The author remains in Kyiv producing art as war rages.
by Andrew Limbong

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Former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch warns Putin will move west if he wins in Ukraine

Former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch warns Putin will move west if he wins in Ukraine

Yovanovitch served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine but was relieved of her post following a smear campaign orchestrated by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Her new memoir is “Lessons From the Edge.”
by Terry Gross

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St. Paul teachers vote on tentative contract, as negotiations continue in Minneapolis

St. Paul educators are voting on a contract granting them wage increases and mental health support for students. In Minneapolis, union representatives say the agreement shows their district should be able to give striking teachers what they’re asking for. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Another mild day Wednesday; cooler Thursday

Another mild day Wednesday; cooler Thursday

It will be another very mild day Wednesday with widespread 50s, even 60s in southern Minnesota and 40s to the north. A cool front will bring increased cloud cover and a few sprinkles possible.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Three YA fantasies take you on a journey — at home

Three YA fantasies take you on a journey — at home

These three YA fantasies offer up creative magic systems and mythologies, stakes as high as they come, and girls with the grit to get it done.
by Caitlyn Paxson

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St. Paul teachers endorse tentative contract, as negotiations continue in Minneapolis

St. Paul teachers endorse tentative contract, as negotiations continue in Minneapolis

St. Paul educators voted to ratify a contract granting them wage increases and mental health support for students. In Minneapolis, union representatives say the agreement shows their district should be able to give striking teachers what they’re asking for. 
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Biden pledges $800 million to Ukraine after Zelenskyy's plea for more U.S. aid

Biden pledges $800 million to Ukraine after Zelenskyy's plea for more U.S. aid

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivered an impassioned plea for additional help and for President Biden to spearhead the world's defense of Ukraine. Later, Biden pledged to send more security support.
by Elena Moore

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The Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2018

The Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2018

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates today for the first time since 2018, in an effort to tamp down inflation. Additional rate hikes are likely in the months to come.
by Scott Horsley

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As state considers repairs to I-94, Rondo residents look for reconnection

As state considers repairs to I-94, Rondo residents look for reconnection

More than a half-century after construction of I-94 tore through the predominantly-Black Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, various community members are pitching redesigns meant to repair harm. The aging highway infrastructure is now in need of upgrades.
by Nina Moini

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On Equal Pay Day, women are trying to make a dollar out of 83 cents

On Equal Pay Day, women are trying to make a dollar out of 83 cents

It took women working year round full-time jobs 74 extra days to earn what men did in 2021. And the data is worse for women of color, who are disproportionately employed in low-wage jobs.
by Vanessa Romo

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