Stories from January 11, 2023

A warmer-than-average January?
After a frigid December, January is off and running on warm notes.
Hamline student, former instructor at center of debate over religion, academic freedom speak out
Two people at the center of the controversy at Hamline University over academic freedom that has gained international attention spoke Wednesday about how the incident has impacted their lives.
Classic rock guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck dies at 78
Guitarist Jeff Beck was among a wave of influential English guitar players in love with American blues. He died on Tuesday, Jan. 10 after contracting bacterial meningitis.
Hamline student at center of academic freedom controversy speaks out in St. Paul and renowned killer Donald Blom has died. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Jeff Beck, guitar god who influenced generations, dies at 78
Jeff Beck, a guitar virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, influencing generations of shredders along the way and becoming known as the guitar player’s guitar player, has died. He was 78.
Legal cannabis bill clears first committee, many more ahead
Debate on a bill designed to legalize marijuana in Minnesota in its first committee stop framed up the arguments for and against a big shift in state drug policy.
Minnesota woke up coated in ice: what's next in the forecast?
The whole state seemed to be glazed Wednesday morning in a thin layer of ice. Freezing rain made for dicey conditions on roads and sidewalks and Metro Transit canceled bus routes for much of the morning commute.
Health care workers pack public meeting on Sanford-Fairview merger
A proposed merger of two major health care organizations is going on the road, as Attorney General Keith Ellison hosts public comment sessions on the combination of South Dakota-based Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services. MPR News host Tim Nelson talks with MPR News health reporter Michelle Wiley on the first of these sessions held Tuesday.
Spoken word and music celebrate life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A number of events are scheduled across the state to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Since 1982, the University of Minnesota has hosted a concert to mark the occasion. MPR News host Tim Nelson talks with Vocal Essence Associate Artistic Director G. Phillip Shoultz about this year’s tribute.
In Focus: COVID learning loss in Minnesota schools
The pandemic made learning harder for many students, but we see evidence that it accelerated learning loss for students who were behind in school even before COVID-19 disrupted schools. In a rebroadcast from our In Focus conversation series, MPR News host Angela Davis talks with educators about what is being done to help kids catch up.
Muslim professor: Showing Muhammad wasn’t offensive, but Hamline response is
In October, an adjunct professor showed her students a slide of a 14th century painting of the Prophet Muhammad after giving a trigger warning. The professor’s teaching contract was not renewed. Here’s Carleton College history professor Amna Khalid for perspective.
Winter play: A Minnesota transplant learns to love skiing
Finding joy in the winter is essential to survive in Minnesota, as producer Ellen Finn realized when she moved to the Twin Cities from the West Coast a few years ago. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talks with Finn about her experience learning to ski.
Winds set to blow better air into Minnesota
Poor air quality remains through Wednesday as well as areas of fog. Temperatures will be mild, in the 30s and 20s under cloudy skies. Colder air drops temperatures into the teens and single digits Wednesday night.
Musicians release new gospel and blues album inspired by their Mississippi River road trip
The Mississippi River has been called a River of Song. Songwriters have been influenced by its history, culture and natural majesty — including Robert Robinson and Brother Timothy Frantzich.
 Immigrants plead with lawmakers to pass driver’s license bill
Twenty years after Minnesota blocked unauthorized immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses, a committee approved a change, and DFL leaders at the Capitol said restoring access will be a top priority this year.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported a flurry of crashes, spinouts and jackknifed semis across the region well ahead of the morning rush hour. Metro Transit suspended service on all of its bus service in the Twin Cities just before 5 a.m. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Freezing fog, poor air quality continue; clearer skies, colder air coming
Areas of freezing fog and poor air quality continue Wednesday. Highs will range from the 30s to the 20s with colder temperatures and more wind Wednesday night. Lows will drop into the teens and single digits with northwest winds increasing to 10-20 mph.
Panarin lifts Rangers over Wild 4-3 in shootout
Artemi Panarin scored the deciding goal in a shootout and the New York Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3.
Ice drives road havoc across much of Minnesota
Freezing drizzle left a treacherous coating of ice on sidewalks, streets and highways around the Twin Cities and across much of the rest of central and southern Minnesota on Wednesday, leading to dozens of crashes, school closures and canceled transit routes.
FAA lifts ground stop on flights following computer outage
Thousands of flight delays and cancellations are rippling across the U.S. after computer outage led to a grounding order for all departing aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
Food waste is a big problem. These small changes can help
Over one-third of the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten, harming peoples' wallets and the climate. Here are some steps you can take in your supermarket and kitchen to cut back on waste.
In praise of being late: The upside of spurning the clock
People who lose track of time aren't rude, researchers say — they may just be listening to their inner timekeeper instead of an external clock. Living according to "event time" has its benefits.
Fairview/Sanford merger plan criticized, praised in meeting called by MN attorney general
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is holding meetings around the state for public input as his office weighs whether to intervene in the plan by two major health systems to combine.