Stories from April 7, 2022

Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1M for bird flu
The bill, which Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign soon, will help pay for testing materials, equipment and personnel. Lawmakers are expected to field requests for more money as the flu spreads.
Minnesota senators join historic vote to add the first Black woman to the Supreme Court and GOP Senators pass a tax bill with big tax cuts. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Liquor interests ponder 'cease-fire' as part of growler, distiller deal
A proposal is circulating among interest groups that would clear the way for expanded sales of growlers and other changes in Minnesota liquor laws. It’s not yet a done deal, and it wouldn’t guarantee the Legislature doesn’t make other changes.
Minnesota scientist cites COVID shutdowns in governor bid
Minnesota scientist and entrepreneur Hugh McTavish announced his bid for governor as a third-party candidate on Thursday, citing division in state government and what he called poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota Now; April 7, 2022
Minneapolis and St. Paul passed rent control measures last fall but some Minnesota lawmakers want to cancel them. We get an update on where things stand. Plus, are efforts to recruit more police officers working? We hear more reaction to the decision not to charge a Minneapolis police officer in the death of Amir Locke. Former Minnesota Twins pitching star LaTroy Hawkins traded his baseball mitt for an electric bike and isn’t looking back. They “why” behind that decision is a memorable story. And Cathy Wurzer talks sports with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson. *Note - we can not air the full song of the day on our website or in the podcast version of the show for copywrite reasons. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  
Minnesota Senate passes tax cut bill
The Minnesota Senate passed a tax-cut proposal Thursday that would chop the amount most taxpayers and retirees owe. The ambitious Republican-drafted plan is nowhere near the targeted tax relief that Democratic House and DFL Gov. Tim Walz are offering up, and it would squeeze out most other uses of a state surplus. 
UN assembly suspends Russia from top human rights body
The U.N. General Assembly has voted to suspend Russia from the world organization’s leading human rights body over allegations of horrific rights violations by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, which the United States and Ukraine have called tantamount to war crimes.
Weekend weather: Milder temps; brightest day will be Saturday
Are you ready for milder temps? That’s what we have on tap for the weekend. Some spots could see some rain Sunday afternoon and evening. We have the details.
Twins get Paddack, Pagan from Padres for Rogers and Rooker
The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed pitchers Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagán from the San Diego Padres for All-Star left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for COVID
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 82, has been vaccinated against COVID-19 and received a booster shot. She's the highest profile U.S. official to contract the virus since former President Donald Trump.
How financial literacy can help reduce racial wealth gaps
Minnesota doesn’t require that students take a stand-alone course on personal finance before graduating from high school. But more states are beginning to mandate them. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about how financial literacy can be a tool to reduce wealth gaps.
Twin Cities agencies explore pooling resources for quick-deployment fencing
An effort is underway among agencies across the Twin Cities to pool resources and gain quicker access to so-called “anti-scale fencing.” That fencing — currently only available from out-of-state vendors — has been used to secure buildings during past protests.
Thursday still soggy; sunshine in sight
Thursday will be our final day of significant impacts from this storm system. Rain and snow showers will continue to rotate around our slow-moving storm system. Sunshine will break out from west to east by late Friday with a warmer weekend ahead.
Senate bill blocks Rondo project money
Senators advanced a provision that unravels a tax bill deal that provided funding for a study to improve the Rondo community in St. Paul that was partially destroyed when I-94 was built decades ago.
Scientists studying wolves in and around Voyageurs National Park have released what they believe is a first-ever video showing an entire day in the life of a wild wolf, shot from the wolf’s perspective. Spoiler: it shows the wolf walking (a lot), sleeping, and, preying on a deer fawn. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, April 7, 2022. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Another day, another blasting of rain and snow; brighter and warmer weekend
Thursday will mark our third day of wind-driven rain and snow showers but the end is in sight. Dry, but still cloudy, weather can be expected Friday before clearing skies and warmer weather sets in.
Haunting Canada boarding school shot wins World Press Photo
A haunting image of red dresses hung on crosses along a roadside, with a rainbow in the background, commemorating children who died at a residential school created to assimilate Indigenous children in Canada has won the prestigious World Press Photo award.
There's no redemption to be had in Chelsea Bieker's 'Heartbroke'
The author of Godshot brings readers a new set of stories; “Heartbroke” unfolds in a chorus of yearning and sorrow, told in 11 different voices that Chelsea Bieker inhabits with perfect pitch.
Scans reveal the brain's early growth, late decline and surprising variability
A study of more than 120,000 brain scans shows rapid growth before age 2 and accelerating decline after age 50. The results may one day help pick up abnormalities in the developing brain.
The Senate votes to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
When sworn in this summer, Brown will be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. With three Republican senators saying they'll vote for her, Democrats appear to have enough votes for confirmation.
Art Hounds celebrate milestones of life
Jim Denomie’s exhibit “Sweet Dreams” in Stillwater is a tribute to the artist, who passed away in March. The Rochester Chamber Music Society celebrates jazz musician and composer John Paulson with a free concert. Minneapolis songwriter Jesse Norell releases his concept album “Aorta Borealis” about his daughter.