Stories from August 16, 2022

White House receives plan on ending railway contract dispute
A railroad strike could devastate businesses that rely on Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX and other major freight railroads to deliver raw materials and ship their products. That's why Congress isn't likely to allow a strike to happen. In past national rail labor disputes, lawmakers have voted to impose terms on the railroads before workers could strike.
Nurses mulling plans for major, multi-day walkout at more than a dozen hospitals, and Twin Cities jazz great Butch Thompson has died. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Butch Thompson, jazz pianist with 'A Prairie Home Companion' dies
When Thompson was 12, he saw Louis Armstrong perform in Minneapolis at the Northrop Auditorium, which fueled his early pursuit of jazz.
Favorable weather helps crews make progress toward containing Isle Royale wildfire
Favorable weather conditions have helped crews make good progress toward containing a wildfire at Isle Royale National Park, and allowed park officials to reopen some trails and campgrounds.
How social media has changed us
From “echo chambers” to “comparison quicksand,” social media has changed the way we communicate and think of ourselves and others. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two researchers about social media’s impact on everything from political conversations to teen friendships.
Post-Roe, more restrictions on abortion are on the way in Iowa
Since the Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that federally protected the right to have an abortion, decision makers at the state level are busy clarifying abortion access within their boundaries.
Thousands of Minnesota nurses vote to strike
Thousands of Minnesota nurses have voted in favor of a strike at seven different health systems in the Twin Cities and Duluth.
N. Scott Momaday reflects on how Native stories shaped his imagination
This week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation is with debut novelist Oscar Hokeah about his book, “Calling for a Blanket Dance.” During his discussion with host Kerri Miller, they were both delighted to discover they share a love of Native American poet and writer N. Scott Momaday. Since Miller spoke with Momaday in 2021, we decided to pull this one from the archives for all to enjoy.
What's in big Biden bill? Health, climate goals become law
President Joe Biden arrived at the White House promising to “build back” America, and on Tuesday he's signing into law legislation with a slimmer version of that idea.
Storms north; partly cloudy south Tuesday
Southern Minnesota will have the nicer weather Tuesday with more sunshine than the last few days and slightly warmer temperatures. The northern half of Minnesota will have the continued chance of scattered showers and storms.
Members of a major Minnesota nurses union have said they favor going on strike, if negotiations don’t resolve differences with management of several health systems in the Twin Cities and Duluth. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
A bit brighter Tuesday; showers north and west
For the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, we’ll see a little more sunshine Tuesday with scattered showers and thunder in northern and northwest Minnesota. Temperatures will be slightly warmer Wednesday.
Sarah Palin faces Alaska voters again in a special election for Congress
Over a decade after she ran for vice president and then resigned as Alaska governor, Palin is in both a special election for U.S. House on Tuesday and a primary for the full term starting next year.
What people really make (and spend) behind bars
The Marshall Project asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.
Nurses in Twin Cities, Duluth vote to authorize strike
About 15,000 members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of going on strike, if negotiations don’t resolve differences with management of several health systems in the Twin Cities and Duluth.
Title X advocates worry that birth control may go the same way as abortion
A Supreme Court ruling overturned Roe v. Wade. Now there's a big push to increase funding for Title X, a federal program that offers birth control and other reproductive care to low-income patients.
Liz Cheney is facing a likely primary defeat in Wyoming. Here's why
Cheney, who has spoken out clearly against former President Donald Trump, is down by 20 points in primary polls — and her approval ratings are in the tank among Wyoming Republicans.