Stories from December 19, 2022

Dangerous cold heading into Christmas holiday for Minnesota, and Minnesota’s opioid treatment programs can’t meet the state’s needs. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
A woman accused of seeking out and sexually grooming underage sex partners for Minnesota Republican political operative Tony Lazzaro pleaded guilty Monday to charges of sex trafficking and obstruction. Lazzaro, 32, is accused of giving money and gifts to five girls in exchange for sex.
Where to grab a bowl of soup in the Twin Cities
Here in the cold dark expanse of Minnesota winter, soup szn is upon us. There’s something about soup — maybe the endless recipe possibilities, or the compatibility with a thermos — that makes delicious, liquidized food the cornerstone of chilly-weather cuisine. If you don’t feel up for standing over a simmering pot for hours, we’ve made a list of standout spots to get soup in the Twin Cities. 
Expect increased road traffic at the airport around the holiday
Thursday and next Monday are expected to be among the busiest days. Drivers dropping off and picking up are encouraged to use the baggage or ticketing level roadways at Terminal 1, or the cell phone lot on Post Road.
What Hulu rom-com 'Merry Kiss Cam' gets wrong about Duluth
‘Merry Kiss Cam’ was set and filmed in Duluth, but according to senior arts reporter and critic Alex V. Cipolle, the film’s version of the northern city leaves a little to be desired.
Power restored to tens of thousands of Minnesota households
Utilities warn some households will likely lose power again over the next couple weeks as more trees weighed down by the heavy snow bend or break over power lines.
Jan. 6 panel wraps work with 'roadmap to justice' for Trump
Lawmakers on Monday declared they have assembled a “roadmap to justice” to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and his allies.
Future of Us: At the Guthrie, a 2,500-year-old art form learns to pivot
In the early days of the pandemic, the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis had to scrub its calendar and lay off more than 200 employees. Nearly three years later, it’s still rebuilding. But Artistic Director Joseph Haj is resolute: “The Western drama has survived much worse.”
Amanda, beloved orangutan at St. Paul's Como Park Zoo, dies at 46
The oldest resident of St. Paul’s Como Park Zoo, an orangutan beloved by generations of visitors, has died. Amanda, a hybrid orangutan, was euthanized Saturday morning amid mounting health concerns.
Snow developing Monday; more snow midweek followed by brutal wind chills
Snow showers develop and fill in Monday afternoon for much of Minnesota into overnight. Tuesday will be colder with wind chills ranging from 10 below zero east to 30 below zero west. More snow develops Wednesday.
Boy who got new heart inspires tribe to boost organ donation
A boy from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians has inspired his community to try to boost organ donor numbers. Greyson Parisien's journey to correct a heart defect led the tribe to add the option of organ donation to tribal IDs.
Many of the state’s 16 opioid treatment programs are struggling to hire and retain licensed drug counselors as demand rises, but staff burnout is high. “We have people dying who are sitting on our waiting list, trying to get in,” one program director says. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Two snowfalls and lots of cold air ahead
Monday will be another chilly day with highs in the teens and single digits. Snow showers develop Monday afternoon into the overnight Monday night. Wednesday and Thursday brings another, potentially more significant snowfall for southern Minnesota.
Kaprizov, Wild beat Senators 4-2 for 5th straight win
Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists for Minnesota as the Wild held on to beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 for their fifth straight win. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, Jared Spurgeon also scored, and Sam Steel had two assists for the Wild.
Timberwolves beat Bulls 150-126 to break team scoring mark
Anthony Edwards had season highs with 37 points and 11 assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves broke the franchise record for points in a game, routing the Chicago Bulls 150-126 on Sunday night.
Abortion stories on TV get closer to reality, says new report
The annual Abortion Onscreen report says more TV shows had abortion plotlines than previous years and that writers are doing slightly better job reflecting reality.
'It is the obvious thing.' The White House tries a new tack to combat homelessness
The Biden administration says to end the homelessness crisis, more must be done to keep people from losing housing in the first place. But identifying and reaching those most at risk is a challenge.
In the Southeast, power company money flows to news sites that attack their critics
Alabama Power and Florida Power & Light hired the consulting firm Matrix to help shape their fortunes. Matrix funded six sites that covered politics, filling a void left by the decline of local news.
The moments that captured our attention at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
The monthlong tournament in Qatar was filled with excitement, surprise and controversy. Argentina's victory in the final — which gave Lionel Messi his first title — cemented it as one of the best.
Watch live: The Jan. 6 committee is holding its last hearing. Here's what to know
The panel will take up criminal referrals against former President Donald Trump on at least three charges: insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Minnesota opioid treatment clinics overwhelmed as needs rise, staffs shrink
Many of the state’s 16 opioid treatment programs are struggling to hire and retain licensed drug counselors as demand rises, but staff burnout is high. “We have people dying who are sitting on our waiting list, trying to get in,” one program director says.