Stories from December 5, 2022

Prinsburg, Minn., drops Texas-style anti-abortion lawsuit plan
The Kandiyohi County town has backed away from a proposal to let people sue abortion providers, including organizations that provide abortion drugs by mail, after the state’s attorney general warned that the plan was unconstitutional.
Colder through Wednesday; snow north Tuesday
Monday night will bring colder temperatures ranging from the single digits south to subzero readings north. Tuesday will be below normal in the teens and 20s with snow showers developing for northern Minnesota. Another round of snow showers moves through Wednesday.
There's a lithium mining boom, but it's not a jobs bonanza
Lithium mining is experiencing a boom right now, but it's no jobs bonanza. The promised surge in clean-energy jobs is mostly focused farther down the supply chain, like at battery assembly plants.
Stay interviews, office perks: How employers are trying to get workers to stay
After employees left companies en masse during the “Great Resignation,” more employers are trying tricks new and old to get workers to stay. Coming up at 9 a.m. Monday, MPR News host Angela Davis talks about employee retention.
Feds join probe into fire at problem Minneapolis property
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has joined the probe into a weekend fire at an apparently vacant apartment building in Minneapolis, one of two gutted by fire and listed to the same Minneapolis property owner that has become the focus of concern by city officials. 
Cold nights, light snows; milder air returns later in the week
A blocking pattern is forcing cold south, but not quite through Minnesota. Expect some cooler nights and a couple light snows for some. Milder air moves back in by the end of the week.
Minnesota sues to stop 'Death by Gummy Bears' THC edibles
The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy alleges that Northland Vapor and Wonky Confections in northwestern Minnesota are selling edibles with THC amounts far higher than the state allows.
LGBTQ students wrestle with tensions at Christian colleges
At some conservative schools, some students and faculty have filed discrimination complaints, while at more affirming institutions, some parents and clergy argue that approach doesn’t align with their mission.
How 'goblin mode' became Oxford's word of the year
The slang term means "behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms." It was the landslide pick in a public vote.
Who can follow Betty Whiteout? MnDOT wants your snowplow name ideas
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is once again taking nominations for snowplow names — searching for new monikers to join last winter’s tribute to TV star Betty White.
Negotiations continue ahead of Minnesota nurses strike deadline
Minnesota nurses and several hospital systems are set continue bargaining on new contracts this week — ahead of a potential strike by some 15,000 union nurses.
Teens, 20s Monday; temps drop Monday night; snow north Tuesday
Temperatures will not move much Monday as cooler air slides in on northwest winds. Highs will range from the teens in the northwest to near 30 in the southeast. Expect lows Monday night below zero north and single digits south. Snow develops Tuesday for northern Minnesota.
How one artist took on the Sacklers and shook their reputation in the art world
A new documentary “All The Beauty and the Bloodshed” tells the story of Nan Goldin, a photographer and activist who survived opioid addiction — then challenged members of the Sackler family.
Nurses enter a final week of negotiations before threatened strike and the state will offer a forecast for the near-term economy in Minnesota tomorrow. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Clouds Monday, breezy; snow showers Tuesday
A cool front will keep the breeze from the northwest at 10-20 mph Monday with cloudy skies. Highs will mainly be in the 20s to near 30 south, teens north. A few light snow showers are possible with even some patchy light freezing rain in far southern Minnesota. Snow develops for mainly the northern half of Minnesota Tuesday. We’ll also have a couple cold nights Monday and Tuesday nights.
Death metal singers have a vocal counterpart ... in bats
Bats and death metal singers have more in common than a love of the dark. A new study has found that some of bats' lower frequency calls appear to use a technique similar to death metal growling.
Wild beat Stars 6-5 in shootout after blowing 4-goal lead
Mats Zuccarello, Kirill Kaprizov and Frederick Gaudreau scored on Minnesota’s three shootout attempts and the Wild beat the Dallas Stars 6-5 on Sunday after blowing a four-goal lead in the third period.
Supreme Court hears clash between LGBTQ and business owners' rights
The case involves a Colorado web designer who says state law prevents her from designing wedding website because she believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
Rochester cops put in the hours with teen drivers
For many teens, learning to drive is a rite of passage that opens doors — doors to new jobs, a more independent social life. But it can also be expensive and time consuming. That's why Rochester Public Schools launched a new program that makes it easier for kids from all financial backgrounds to get their license. And the police are helping.
For patients with sickle cell disease, fertility care is about reproductive justice
The disease, which predominantly affects patients of color, can damage the body in ways that can make it difficult to have a child. But patients don't always have access to fertility care.
Bob McGrath, longtime star of 'Sesame Street,' has died at 90
McGrath, who starred as "Bob Johnson" on the beloved children's program, died on Sunday after complications from a stroke, according to his family.