Stories from September 7, 2022

One last hot day Thursday before rain, cooler weather
Thursday will again be a hot and muggy one after a warm overnight Wednesday night. Cooler air and rain arrive Friday.
Last minute defense of Minnesota abortion restrictions turned aside in court and Minneapolis will likely have an outsider for a its new police chief. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
The health benefits of friends
Studies have shown that friendships can affect your cardiovascular health, your immune system, your cognitive health and even the rate at which your cells age. Guest host Chris Farrell talks with two experts about why friendship is so important and how we can form and strengthen the ties of friendship in our lives. 
Sundgaard: Muggy temps won't last
Summer is on its way out — Sven Sundgaard gives us a look at what’s ahead.
Should you get the new COVID booster? A Mayo doctor weighs in
Appointments to get the booster shots are open at the state-run vaccination site at the Mall of America. The state sites in Duluth, St. Paul, Rochester and Moorhead will start taking appointments next week.
Judge denies county attorney’s intervention in abortion case
Ramsey County District Court Judge Thomas Gilligan has rejected an attempt by Traverse County Attorney Matthew Franzese to intervene in the case of Doe v. Minnesota, a high-profile case challenging many of the state’s abortion restrictions.
Behind the numbers for Minnesota's hot job market
All across Minnesota, businesses are desperate for workers. “We’re hiring” signs seem to be posted in every storefront. Companies are flying in workers from places like Puerto Rico, paying big signing bonuses, and getting into wage wars in a desperate attempt to fill open positions.
Shelling has resumed in the area of Ukraine’s huge nuclear power plant. Russian and Ukrainian officials blamed each other. The attack Wednesday comes a day after the U.N. atomic watchdog agency pressed for the warring sides to carve out a safe zone there to protect against a possible catastrophe.
From the archives: Animal behaviorist Clive Wynne on doggy love
We love dogs. But do they love us back? One canine researcher says yes. Let this 2020 conversation whet your appetite for a discussion with journalist Ed Yong coming this Friday, when he and host Kerri Miller will talk about his fascinating new book about animals, “An Immense World.”
The escape of the Malaysian defense contractor at the center of one of the Navy's biggest corruption scandals is as stunning and brazen as the case itself. U-Haul trucks were seen at his home in a tony San Diego neighborhood before Leonard Glenn Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” snipped off his ankle monitor and disappeared. 
Light winds, very warm Wednesday; Friday showers break the heat
Minnesota will be a little warmer Wednesday with highs well into the 80s, close to 90 southwest. Thursday will be hotter before rain cools things off Friday.
Five new YA reads to check out this fall
As autumn's chill creeps in, we look to five new YA releases that will both haunt you and bewitch your heart, including books by the authors of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and The City Beautiful.
New Mexico banishes Trump ally from office for insurrection
A New Mexico state district court judge has disqualified county commissioner and Cowboys for Trump cofounder Couy Griffin from holding public office. State District Court Judge Francis Mathew issued a ruling Tuesday that permanently prohibits Griffin from holding or seeking local or federal office. 
Rebecca and Luke Ludwig were among the passengers on a floatplane that crashed into Puget Sound on Sunday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Target drops mandatory CEO retirement age, Cornell to stay
Target CEO Brian Cornell will stay in his position leading the retailer for about the next three years. The company also announced Wednesday that Arthur Valdez, executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, will retire.
Victims of floatplane crash in Washington included Minnesota couple
A Minnesota couple, a civil rights activist, a business owner, a lawyer and the founder of a winery and his family were among the 10 people killed when a floatplane crashed in the waters of Puget Sound.
Twins-Yanks rained out, doubleheader Wednesday; Rizzo to IL
New York's scheduled game Tuesday against Minnesota was postponed because of rain and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 3:05 p.m.
The midterm elections need workers. Teens, veterans and lawyers are stepping up
Some election officials are sending the call out to high school students, veterans and lawyers to help staff the elections. But COVID and the political climate are making it harder to recruit.
Nearly 8 million kids lost a parent or primary caregiver to the pandemic
A new study finds numbers far higher than previously thought. India has the greatest number of kids affected. The U.S. has 250,000 kids in this category but lags behind in aid for bereaved families.
'Surveillance State' explores China's tech and social media control systems
Veteran Wall Street Journal reporters Josh Chin and Liza Lin spent years covering China. In a new book, they untangle how China built its formidable digital surveillance apparatus.
After Del Rio, some Haitian migrants found safety in the U.S. But many have not
It's been nearly a year since tens of thousands of Haitian migrants converged on Del Rio, Texas. Some of those migrants are still looking for safety — and accountability for how they were treated.
The crisis in Jackson shows how climate change is threatening water supplies
Historic flooding and record droughts are stressing water systems across the country, and experts warn that with climate change intensifying the crisis in Jackson, Miss., may be just the beginning.
Drought revives ideas to shift water from Mississippi to help West
Proposals to send water from the Midwest to the southwestern U.S. — where an ongoing drought and population growth have created a looming water crisis — face significant environmental, legal and political obstacles.