Stories from December 6, 2022

McConnell criticizes Trump's calls to terminate the Constitution
The Senate minority leader said Tuesday that anyone seeking the presidency, which includes Trump, "would have a very hard time being sworn in" if the Constitution was suspended.
Tuesday night snow in central Minnesota; colder Wednesday
Light snow will cross central Minnesota Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Wednesday will be a colder day. Snow from Iowa will surge northward into southern Minnesota as Thursday progresses.
Report: Minnesota health care workers leaving at 'crisis rates'
A new study finds Minnesota’s low wage direct care workers are leaving the profession due to shortages, low pay and physical risks. In 2019 and 2021 nearly half of direct care workers transitioned to another career. 
Nurses at 15 hospitals in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports have reached a tentative contract agreement, averting a strike that was set to start this weekend. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Peter Cox. Music by Gary Meister.
Colorado gay club shooting suspect charged with hate crimes
The suspect accused of entering a Colorado gay nightclub clad in body armor and opening fire with an AR-15-style rifle, killing five people and wounding 17 others, was charged by prosecutors Tuesday with 305 criminal counts including hate crimes and murder.
Another batch of JFK assassination papers may see the light of day. A well-known Minnesotan has already given them the eye
The only living remaining member of the Assassination Records Review Board is U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim, who presides from a bench at the Minneapolis federal courthouse.
Amid federal probe, slaughterhouse cleaner agrees not to hire child labor
Packers Sanitation Services Inc. has agreed to a permanent injunction that bars it from hiring children. The company is not required to pay any fines, but federal regulators are continuing their investigation, which could result in civil penalties.
Metro Transit cuts service to dozens of bus lines, citing driver shortage
The Twin Cities public transportation provider started reducing service during the pandemic, a move that disproportionately affected people of color. The agency is short 300 bus drivers and is struggling to find new hires.
Advocates call on Legislature to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented Minnesotans
The “Driver’s Licenses For All” bill has circulated through the Minnesota Legislature for more than 10 years without being passed. Advocates are hopeful that a DFL-controlled Senate, House, and governor’s office will change that next year.
From the archives: John Tierney on the science behind willpower
If you like books that delve into fascinating science research, you’re in for a treat this week. Friday, on Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller talks with cognitive behaviorist and former professional poker player Annie Duke about the science of quitting. We’re teeing it up with another book that looks at why we do what we do: “Willpower,” the 2011 powerhouse work by psychiatrist Roy F. Baumeister and science journalist John Tierney.
What it means to practice forgiveness and why it should be a part of your routine
What does it mean to practice forgiveness? How would it feel to let go of the pain that people close to you have caused? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the author of the book “Unconditional Forgiveness: A Simple and Proven Method to Forgive Everyone and Everything.”
Why Minnesotan kids lag in their reading level and what can be done to help
One in three Minnesota fourth graders can’t read at a basic level. Is there a better way to teach reading? MPR News host Angela Davis talked with APM reporter and producer Emily Hanford about the new podcast “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong.”
Some light snow north; possible late-week storm; weekend looks mild
Large north-to-south temperature contrasts will persist Tuesday across Minnesota with highs ranging from the single digits and low teens north to near 30 in southern Minnesota. The first of two clipper systems brings snow showers to northern Minnesota Tuesday with another Wednesday.
St. Paul police say officers shot armed suspect in domestic assault, attempted carjacking, state investigators are looking into the death. Also, nurses at two Minnesota health systems have reached tentative deals and averted threatened strikes. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Snow showers north Tuesday; cooler than normal
Tuesday will be cooler but with a contrast between 20s in southern Minnesota and single digits in northwest Minnesota. Snow showers will develop across northern Minnesota with two quick clippers Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ll be milder by the end of the week again.
Minnesota nurses strike averted as hospitals, union reach deals
The Minnesota Nurses Association and more than a dozen hospitals in the Twin Cities and Twin Ports reported tentative agreements on new three-year labor contracts Tuesday, averting a walkout by thousands of nurses that was scheduled to start in just days.
Ukrainians sing 'Carol of the Bells' at Carnegie Hall, 100 years after its U.S. debut
A Ukrainian chorus first performed “Shchedryk” in the U.S. in 1922. A century later, during another fight for freedom, Ukrainian singers performed the folk song at the site of its North American debut.
Warnock or Walker? Georgia runoff to settle last Senate seat
Georgia voters are set to decide the final Senate contest in the country. They will choose whether to reelect Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock or instead opt for Republican football legend Herschel Walker.
In an ongoing race, Ukraine tries to repair faster than Russia bombs
Ukraine's electrical grid has been under assault from Russian airstrikes for two months. Repair workers are racing to fix damaged power stations, even as the country braces for more attacks.
Capitol Police chief: Jan. 6 failures 'largely' fixed but extremism threat persists
USCP Chief Tom Manger says problems that led to the Capitol riot have been addressed, and he is focusing on expanding field offices to be better prepared for rising threats to congressional members.
Colorado LGBTQ club shooting suspect set to return to court
The suspect accused of entering a Colorado LGBTQ nightclub, opening fire and killing five people and wounding 17 others is set to appear in court Tuesday to learn what charges prosecutors will pursue.
A congressional report says financial technology companies fueled rampant PPP fraud
Fraud in the Paycheck Protection Program, which gave potentially forgivable loans to small businesses during the pandemic, was largely due to financial technology companies, according to a new report.
Duluth looks to 'tiny homes' to help ease housing crunch
In a bid to help create more housing of all types and sizes, Duluth has changed its rules to encourage the construction of very compact houses, often called “tiny homes.” Many think other cities should follow suit.
Minnesota budget surplus tops $17 billion
Minnesota’s budget surplus has grown to $17.6 billion, setting the table for the governor and lawmakers to use for the 2023 legislative session. The state, though, still faces economic headwinds from beyond its borders.
Family of man shot and killed by St. Paul police call for transparency in BCA investigation
St. Paul police fatally shot a man Monday evening in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. People gathered at a vigil Tuesday evening calling for accountability from the St. Paul Police Department.
Kirstie Alley, Emmy-winning ‘Cheers’ star, dies at 71
Kirstie Alley, who won an Emmy for her role on “Cheers” and starred in films including “Look Who’s Talking,” died Monday.