Stories from April 1, 2022

Warehouse workers at an Amazon fulfillment center on Staten Island have voted to join the upstart Amazon Labor Union, making it the first Amazon facility in the U.S. to unionize.
Will the Legislature pass paid family leave?
Are more Minnesota workers closer to getting paid time off work to bond with a child, cope with illness, or care for sick family members?  Host Mike Mulcahy talks with two state legislators about different proposals for paid family leave. Plus, should Minnesota pay for school breakfasts and lunches for all students? 
NPR Exclusive: How the most affordable student loan program failed low-income borrowers
Income-driven repayment plans were intended to help low-income student loan borrowers, and eventually cancel their debt. New documents paint a breathtaking picture of the program's failure.
Hennepin County District Court judge Regina Chu, who recently presided over the manslaughter trial of fired Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter, is retiring. This is the evening update from MPR News for Friday, April 1. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.
The far-right and environmentalism overlap is bigger than you think — and growing
The modern environmental movement and the far-right movement might appear to be on opposing sides of the political ideology spectrum. But overlap does exist and researchers say it's growing.
U.S. House passes bill to decriminalize marijuana
Democrats said the federal prohibition on marijuana has had particularly devastating consequences for minority communities. Republicans mostly opposed the bill and called it a distraction from more pressing issues.
NCAA Women’s Final Four comes to Minneapolis, showcasing strides in equity
The four top college women's basketball teams will face off in Minneapolis this weekend in the NCAA Women’s Final Four tournament. MPR News host Angela Davis talked with a coach for the University of Minnesota’s women’s basketball team and an expert on women in sports about the Final Four Tournament and gender disparities in sports. 
Judge Regina Chu, who presided over Potter trial, is retiring
Hennepin County District Court judge Regina Chu, who recently presided over the manslaughter trial of Kimberly Potter, is retiring at the age of 68.
April is here. Trending slightly milder through the weekend
Our weather improves a bit this weekend. High temperatures will hover around 50 degrees in the Twin Cities this weekend, with highs in the 40s across most of central and northern Minnesota.
Women's Final Four offers homecoming for Bueckers
The 2022 Women's Final Four tips off in Minneapolis on Friday night with a lot to offer, and a lot to prove — not just for the athletes, but also for the NCAA and the host city.
Staley wary equity strides for women's tourney will continue
Dawn Staley is not certain there will ever be true equity among the men's and women's NCAA Tournament. Staley has led top-seeded South Carolina into its second straight Final Four, where the Gamecocks will face Louisville on Friday night for a spot in the championship game. 
Kelly Weill on why conspiracy theories are spreading faster than ever
Despite centuries of evidence pointing otherwise, there are still people who believe the Earth is flat — and their numbers are growing, thanks to social media and a reinvigorated culture of conspiratorial thinking. Journalist Kelly Weill has studied the flat Earth movement for years. Her new book is “Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything.”
St. Paul's Grand Old Day canceled again for 2022
St. Paul's Grand Old Day celebration will not be held this year — the third consecutive year it's been canceled. But organizers with the Grand Avenue Business Association say they're planning to bring it back in 2023.
A milder weekend between rain and snow chances
A sunny start will give way to showers by evening Friday as clouds increase ahead of a clipper system. Temperatures will be milder Friday into the weekend.
U.S. added 431,000 jobs in March in sign of economic health
America’s employers extended a streak of robust hiring in March, adding 431,000 jobs in a sign of the economy’s resilience in the face of a still-destructive pandemic and the highest inflation in 40 years.
LSU's Kim Mulkey wins AP Coach of the Year for third time
Kim Mulkey is The Associated Press women's basketball Coach of the Year in her first season at LSU. The longtime Baylor coach led the Tigers to 26 wins at an NCAA Tournament berth after they won only nine games last season. 
The analysis released Thursday says law enforcement didn't appropriately distinguish between lawful and unlawful demonstrations, and that some community members felt abandoned by the police. The review was especially critical of the Minneapolis police response. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, April 1, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Malkin scores in OT, Penguins beat Wild 4-3
Evgeni Malkin scored 3:57 into overtime and Rickard Rakell had two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins halted Minnesota’s seven-game winning streak Thursday night with a 4-3 victory over the Wild.
No joke; much of the weekend will be nicer
We should have a nice morning (though chilly to start) Friday with some sun before clouds increase ahead of the first of two quick moving clipper systems. Highs will be warmer, well into the 40s statewide.
Pope begs forgiveness of Indigenous for Canada school abuses
Pope Francis has begged forgiveness for the “deplorable” abuses suffered by Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s residential schools. He says he was “ashamed” and “indignant” at all they had endured.
Overlooked Louisville seeks 1st title, as SC awaits in semis
Louisville, one of three No. 1 seeds in the 68-team field to make it to Minneapolis, plays No. 1 overall seed South Carolina in the first game at Target Center on Friday night.
After 2 years of empty airports, the demand for travel is at a high. So are airfares
Domestic air travel demand this spring is back to pre-pandemic levels. But airlines see headwinds as the war in Ukraine drives up jet fuel prices and air fares and has international travel lagging
Ukraine top of agenda as China, EU prepare to meet at summit
The European Union is seeking China's assurances that it won't assist Russia in circumventing economic sanctions for invading Ukraine and cooperation on ending the war at today's virtual meeting.