Stories from November 3, 2022

Rain possible Thursday night, Friday night and into Saturday
We could sure use some rain. We have the updated drought map for Minnesota plus a look at our rain chances. Cooler temps the next few days will make it finally feel like November.
After years of turmoil, Minneapolis police have a new top cop, as council approves Brian O’Hara. Also, feds announce arrests in major nationwide catalytic converter theft ring, including raids in Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
This Minnesota hazelnut can pump up your favorite recipe and the environment
A University of Minnesota-bred hazelnut exemplifies the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and adds flavor to granola and fall salads. Find Beth Dooley’s recipes for them here.
A Minnesota hazelnut with unique climate fighting abilities
The University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative is developing special crops that can improve crop productivity and fight climate change. One of which is a hybrid hazelnut grown regeneratively that’s packed with flavor and good for the environment.
14-year-old invents headphones that play music and treat ear infections
Leanne Fan from San Diego takes the top prize at this year’s 3M Young Scientist Challenge for creating headphones that not only play music but also detect and treat ear infections. Fan and her mentor, Dr. Ross Behling, join to talk about their winning project.
Glaciers from Yellowstone to Kilimanjaro are predicted to disappear by 2050
A new report says glaciers in a third of UNESCO World Heritage sites will disappear. Two-thirds of glaciers in the heritage sites can be saved — but only if carbon emissions are cut quickly, it says.
'Shutter' author was inspired by her own work as a crime scene photographer
Ramona Emerson's novel is about a police department photographer, who, like Emerson, grew up in the Navajo Nation. The protagonist is haunted by the ghosts of victims from scenes she's photographed.
Iron Rangers launch a news site to fill a gap in northern Minnesota
Journalists Leah Ryan and Jerry Burnes hope their newly launched site Iron Range Today will sharpen the focus on issues critical to northern Minnesota residents. Local news voids have become increasingly common in the country as newspapers fold.
Latest in sports news from Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson
Wally, Eric, and Melissa talk about a recent Vikings win and mid-week trade. They also talk University of Minnesota Gophers football and Minnesota Wild hockey.
Wolf researchers record rare video of a mountain lion in northern Minnesota
Researchers studying wolves in far northern Minnesota have released rare footage of a mountain lion recorded last month on state land about 10 miles south of Voyageurs National Park.
Minneapolis City Council confirms O'Hara as city's next police chief
The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously Thursday to confirm Brian O’Hara as the city's next police chief. The city says O’Hara will begin serving his four-year term as police chief on Monday.
Some rain on the way as Minnesota drought expands
Mild temperatures Thursday will give way to cooler conditions Friday and Saturday. We have some rain on the way Thursday night but the heaviest will fall in areas to the southeast of the drought, which continues to expand across Minnesota.
Franny Choi's latest poetry finds hope for the future in our past apocalypses
Poet Franny Choi believes that for marginalized people, the apocalypse has already happened. In ‘The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On,’ she explores what it means to live in this dystopia.
An MPR News analysis of campaign platforms, public comments and actions, social media posts and court documents found that 43 Republicans currently running for the Minnesota Legislature have denied or questioned the 2020 election. If elected, they could influence Minnesota’s voting laws. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.
A redder Range could determine the makeup of Minnesota's Legislature
Once a Democratic stronghold, Minnesota’s Iron Range, which has tilted Republican in recent elections, could play a key role in determining the balance of power at the state Legislature.
Federal prosecutors say a Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to threatening a U.S. senator. Thirty-five-year-old Brendon Daugherty, of Coon Rapids, entered the plea to one count of interstate transmission of a threat during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis Tuesday.
‘The center of the disappearing center’: St. Cloud candidates try to connect with voters
The last few elections for the Senate District 14 seat in St. Cloud have been nail-biters, with just a couple hundred votes separating the candidates. The trend is expected to continue this year.
Candidates press, counties prep as election hits final stretch
Candidates across the state this week began rolling out their final pitches to voters, hoping to win over anyone still undecided. County election officials, meanwhile, are testing the machinery and hoping for a smooth Nov. 8.
Art Hounds: Minnesota children’s book authors divert airport audiences
The Picture Book Parade displays a rotating series of art by Minnesota authors at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s concourse C. All 100 of Carolyn Sue Olson’s “Essential Worker” portraits are on display for the first time in Duluth and Annmarie Geniusz’ multimedia art show opens Thursday at Wussow’s Concert Cafe in Duluth, with ska band Woodblind performing.