Stories from December 30, 2022

Milder weekend temps; Top five weather events of 2022
Milder temps return this weekend, along with plenty of clouds. We have the updated weekend forecast, plus a look at the potential winter storm for Monday and Tuesday. Voting is now complete on the top five Minnesota weather events of 2022.
5 things to know about Southwest's disastrous meltdown
Why did Southwest cancel so many flights, and what's next for affected travelers? The airline-in-crisis hasn't answered all the questions, but claims it has returned to normal operations.
Workers cleared a longstanding tent encampment Friday near the Quarry shopping center in northeast Minneapolis. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.
Hershey's faces a lawsuit over heavy metals in its dark chocolate bars
The lawsuit comes after Consumer Reports sounded the alarm about dangerous heavy metals in dark chocolate bars from manufactures like Lindt, Ghirardelli and Hershey's.
Formative characters: Three Minnesota authors share their favorites
For the last Big Books and Bold Ideas of 2022, MPR News host Kerri Miller asked three Minnesota writers — Peter Geye, Shannon Gibney and Benjamin Percy — to talk about their favorite literary characters. Their choices were unexpected and delightful.
Suspect in deaths of Idaho students arrested in Pennsylvania
Bryan Kohberger, 28, was being held for extradition to Idaho on a warrant for first degree murder. The four students were all friends and members of the University of Idaho's Greek system. They were stabbed to death at a rental home near campus sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 13.
EPA finalizes water rule that repeals Trump-era changes
President Joe Biden's administration has finalized regulations that protect hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways, repealing a Trump-era rule that federal courts had thrown out and that environmentalists said left waterways vulnerable to pollution.
Police, city workers move in to clear NE Minneapolis homeless camp
Workers using heavy equipment could be seen removing items Friday from the encampment near the Quarry shopping center amid a large police presence. Advocates for the residents have criticized the city for clearing camps in midwinter.
House Democrats release Trump's tax returns
The Democratic-controlled Ways and Means Committee has released former President Trump's tax returns from his time in office, ending a multi-year legal battle for the information.
Cooler Friday, quiet weekend; big storm developing next week
Highs Friday will be near or slightly below normal in the teens and 20s across Minnesota with decreasing clouds. The weekend will be quiet, but early next week a big storm develops that could bring snow, rain and freezing precipitation.
Charges filed Thursday against four teens detailed a chaotic scene Friday at the Mall of America's Nordstrom store before the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Johntae Hudson, who died of multiple gunshot wounds. Prosecutors did not disclose a motive. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Cooler Friday with milder air returning this weekend; uncertain storm track next week
We’ll have one cooler day Friday with temperatures near normal; primarily in the 20s south and teens in northern Minnesota. We’ll also see some sunshine once again. Milder air moves back into southern Minnesota Saturday.
Evidence of Russian crimes mounts as war in Ukraine drags on
Ten months into Russia's latest invasion of Ukraine, overwhelming evidence shows the Kremlin's troops have waged total war, with disregard for international laws governing the treatment of civilians and conduct on the battlefield.
China faces bumpy road to normal as infections surge
China is on a bumpy road back to normal life as schools, shopping malls and restaurants fill up again following the abrupt end of some of the world's most severe restrictions even as hospitals are swamped with feverish, wheezing COVID-19 patients.
Jan. 6 takeaways: Final revelations from investigation
Interview transcripts released by House investigators in recent days give further insight into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and the weeks leading up to it, as Donald Trump tried to overturn his defeat in the presidential election.
New York opens its first legal recreational marijuana dispensary
The first legal dispensary for recreational marijuana in New York rung up its first sales on Thursday, opening up what is expected to be one of the country's most lucrative markets for cannabis.
Divisive social media star Andrew Tate detained in Romania in human trafficking case
Andrew Tate, a U.K.-U.S. citizen who was banned from social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech, was reportedly detained in Romania on human trafficking and rape charges.
Flight fare prices skyrocketed following Southwest's meltdown
Passengers who looked for last-minute tickets encountered sky-high prices — in some cases, triple or quadruple the rate for the same route in the last few months. Experts say it's fairly normal.
New St. Paul gallery for Asian American artists spotlights Burmese art
Xia Gallery and Cafe, which opened in October with the goal of showcasing and connecting Asian artists and makers in Minnesota, is hosting what it calls “the single largest collection of paintings from Myanmar ever to be exhibited in the U.S.”
Ibrahim powers Minnesota past Syracuse in Pinstripe Bowl
Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown and became Minnesota’s all-time rushing leader in the Golden Gophers' 28-20 win over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.
Areas of light snow Thursday evening, cooler Friday; mainly dry this weekend
Parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will see some snow or a wintry mix Thursday evening. We have details on that, plus a look at who could see some flakes on Saturday. A plowable snow is possible in some areas Monday and Tuesday.