Stories from November 17, 2022

The Minnesota Nurses Association will hold a vote at the end of the month to see if their members want to go out on strike. The vote comes two months after some 15,000 nurses initially walked off the job in a three-day strike. This is the evening MPR News update for Nov. 17, 2022. Hosted by Lisa Ryan. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Transgender Day of Remembrance kindles sadness, celebration
Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 honors the memory of those killed in acts of anti-transgender violence. On Thursday, Cathy Wurzer spoke with Alex Iantaffi, a Minneapolis family therapist who works with transgender people about the day, and its importance.
Record low levels of the Mississippi River cause major problems for grain
The Mississippi River reached record lows in the southern U.S. this fall causing major problems for the 60% of U.S. grain harvest that’s typically shipped down America’s largest river.
Republicans have won the House. Now, they're promising to investigate the Bidens
GOP Rep. Comer says pending investigations will show Hunter Biden engaged in influence peddling. Comer alleges then-Vice President Biden may have financially benefitted from his son's businesses.
Louisiana voters rejected an antislavery ballot measure. The reasons are complicated
Voters in four states — Vermont, Oregon, Alabama and Tennessee — approved antislavery ballot measures in the 2022 elections. The Louisiana amendment may have failed, in part, because of confusion.
Children’s Minnesota opens mental health unit to meet surge in demand
Children’s Minnesota is opening a new youth mental health unit this month in St. Paul to meet a surge in demand for in-patient services. The Twin Cities saw a 30 percent rise in youth mental health crises last year.
Pelosi won’t seek leadership role, plans to stay in Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, a pivotal realignment making way for a new generation of leaders after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections.
How Bill and Penny George became a power couple in Minnesota philanthropy
Bill George led Medtronic with heart and soul. His wife Penny George is a breast cancer survivor whose treatments led her to champion holistic healthcare for everyone. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with this Twin Cities power couple about how their experiences and values shape their philanthropy.  
Minnesota nurses set Nov. 30 vote to authorize a new strike
Two months after calling a three-day walkout, leaders of the Minnesota Nurses Association said Thursday they’ll hold a new strike authorization vote amid slow-moving contract talks.
How much snow? 30+ inches on parts of Minnesota's North Shore this week
Parts of Minnesota's North Shore are digging out from more than 2 feet of snow that's fallen this week. The National Weather Service received a report of 30.9 inches of snow since Sunday near Hovland, northeast of Grand Marais.
Subzero wind chills on the way; snow showers linger
We have more scattered snow showers Thursday with light accumulations and higher winds from the northwest. Temperatures will be in the 20s with overnight lows dropping into the teens. Wind chill values will be subzero for much of the state.
Some of Gov. Tim Walz's key cabinet members won't be back with him for a second term. Walz said Wednesday that Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington and Education Commissioner Heather Mueller have decided to leave their positions. So has Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board Commissioner Mark Phillips. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.  
More light snow and turning much colder
Scattered snow showers will persist Thursday as colder air rushes south. Temperatures will be in the 20s with winds picking up from the northwest at 10-20 mph. Wind chills will drop in the single digits and below zero Thursday night into early Friday.
The state of human rights in Qatar ahead of the 2022 men's FIFA World Cup
NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives Minky Worden about the state of human rights in Qatar ahead of the 2022 men's FIFA World Cup.
A doctor who police say has spent two decades providing medical assistance to youth hockey teams in Michigan and Minnesota faces 10 more charges of criminal sexual conduct after being accused by patients across Michigan.
Obama to announce expansion of young leaders program to U.S.
An Obama Foundation program that has trained hundreds of young leaders across Africa, the Asia-Pacific and Europe is being expanded to include the United States.
How banks and hospitals are cashing in when patients can't pay for health care
Some credit cards advertised by hospitals lure in patients with rosy promises of convenient, low-interest payments on big bills. But interest rates soar if you can't quickly pay off the loan.
Election stokes optimism among city officials about state aid boost
With a surplus at the ready and public safety a hot campaign topic, many local leaders expect to fare well in their bid for increased state assistance for city budgets.
THC edibles surge in Minnesota but safety rules are loose, regulators aren’t ready
With little state oversight, the public has no way to know what’s in synthetic-THC edibles and drinks. National observers say Minnesota’s new law is poorly constructed and potentially dangerous. Internal state emails obtained by MPR News show regulators struggling with basic questions around the law just before it took effect in July.
Art Hounds: Minnesota multimedia shows challenge viewers
In “Between the Stripes, Under the Stars” at St. Catherine University, 10 female artists explore American identity. The juried art show, “Trail Mix” at the Whit Gallery in St. Cloud celebrates the beauty of nature and the work to combat climate change. “Careful, May Fall Apart” by art therapist Lauren Callis explores love and loss at Pink Slip Gallery.
Shake it off? Parents come up short for Taylor Swift tickets
They were supposed to be birthday presents. They were supposed to be Christmas presents. They were supposed to be the most special of special treats for young fans of Taylor Swift.
Same-sex marriage legislation clears key Senate hurdle
Legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages crossed a major Senate hurdle Wednesday, putting Congress on track to take the historic step of ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law.