Stories from January 12, 2023

January thaw: Mild weekend, shot at 40 on Sunday
Our January Thaw is on the way. But just how common are these January warm spells?
Six years in the making, Walz signs $100 million mini-tax bill
The new law was six years in the making and prevents business owners from paying taxes on federal COVID-19 emergency loans and grants. It had broad support among lawmakers, but more contentious tax debates loom.
Exxon climate predictions were accurate decades ago. Still it sowed doubt
Exxon's climate research decades back painted an accurate picture of global warming, according to a new scientific paper. Still, the oil company continued climate-denying policy efforts.
Anti-Defamation League survey finds a spike in antisemitic beliefs
The percentage of Americans who believe in a number of antisemitic tropes has spiked in the past three years, according to the results of a recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League.
Climate trends and news to keep an eye on in 2023
Last year was a banner year for clean energy with booms in solar and wind energy as well as the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest climate legislation ever. So what might be in store for 2023?
The student at the center of a controversy over the use of an image of the Prophet Muhammad at a Hamline University class late last year says she was shocked and felt disrespected when the image was shown.  This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.
Ask a Bookseller: Laziness does not exist
Bookseller Whit Robinson of Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia recommends one of her top reads: The nonfiction book “Laziness Does Not Exist” by Dr. Devon Price. 
Hamline University religious art controversy garners increased public outcry
The story has pitted religious rights and freedom of speech against each other. But other angles include the issue of depictions of the Prophet in Islamic art, the precarious position of adjunct faculty, and the background of Hamline students who are triply marginalized as Black, African and Muslim.
Minnesota Now for Jan. 12, 2023
Reporter Nina Moini has the details from the people at the center of the situation involving Islamophobia at Hamline University. What are the folks at the Minneapolis Animal care and control shelter doing about their overflow of animals? Back in September we talked with a small troupe of young people heading into their freshman year. Today we find out how they've fared in their first semester of high school. And Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson to run down the sports news we need to know.
'We’re having a really hard time': Minneapolis animal shelter overwhelmed
So far this month, 139 animals have been brought to Minneapolis Animal Care and Control, a 57.7 percent increase from the same time in 2022. Due to overwhelming numbers, all adoption fees are currently waived.
Roger Reinert announces campaign for Duluth Mayor
Former DFL state legislator Roger Reinert announced his campaign to be the next mayor of Duluth, challenging fellow Democrat Emily Larson, the city’s first female mayor who’s vying for a third term.
Virgin Orbit: Premature shutdown behind rocket launch fail
Virgin Orbit says its first attempt to launch satellites into orbit from the U.K. failed after its rocket’s upper stage prematurely shut down. The U.S.-based company used a modified Boeing 747 plane to carry one of its rockets from Cornwall in southwestern England over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday.
Weekend weather: Mild temps, reasonable wind chills
The weather will cooperate with most outdoor activities this weekend. Temps will be above normal and most areas won’t see any rain or snow.
Automakers are charged up, but are you ready to buy an EV?
Electric cars have been slowly rolling into the market for years, but now the big automakers are getting in the game. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the future of buying or renting an electric vehicle and what’s available in the market right now.
Anti-fatness keeps fat people on the margins, says Aubrey Gordon
In her new book “You Just Need To Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People,” Aubrey Gordon tackles the biases and myths that she says keep fat people on the margins of society.
Fargo art museum podcast connects with Indigenous creators
The Plains Art Museum has been around in one form or another since 1965. It now produces a couple podcasts, including 5 Plain Questions, which poses five general questions to Indigenous artists, creators, musicians, writers, and culture bearers. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talks with Native American Programs Director Joe Williams, who hosts the podcast.
Cleaner, cooler air; milder again this weekend
Air quality will continue to improve through the day Thursday thanks to cooler winds from the northwest. Highs will be in the 20s and teens Thursday and Friday with warmer air back for the weekend.
U presses for control of campus teaching hospital ahead of Sanford-Fairview deal
The University of Minnesota is planning to ask the state to help it acquire health care facilities from Fairview Health Services. It comes as Fairview is planning to merge with Sanford Health, a move the state Attorney General’s office is investigating.
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. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Cooler and breezy Thursday and Friday with peeks of sun
Cooler and drier air has settled in for a couple of days. Highs will be in the 20s and teens Thursday and Friday with peeks of sunshine and healthy air quality. Temperatures warm again by the weekend.
Vikings' offensive line in flux ahead of matchup with Giants
The Minnesota Vikings could be looking at fill-ins at center and right tackle against the New York Giants’ talented defensive front as Minnesota hosts New York Sunday afternoon in the playoffs.
Bey, Bogdanovic lead shorthanded Pistons past Timberwolves
Saddiq Bey scored 31 points and the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-118. Bojan Bogdanovic added 27 points for the shorthanded Pistons, who were down 10-0 in the first three minutes.
Inflation is easing, even if it may not feel that way
Inflation likely cooled a bit in December, but prices are still climbing at a rapid rate, meaning people have to work longer and harder just to maintain the same standard of living.
Femme giants and more rise at the Rochester Art Center 
“Matriarchate” by Nicole Havekost opens at the Rochester Art Center. Also on view is “Proto Language” by Chris Delisle and “Walk With Us,” a juried international exhibition including 16 artists.
NASA's Webb telescope has discovered its first exoplanet
The exoplanet was found using a satellite and spectrography. It has a similar size as Earth, but is much hotter and completes its orbit around its star in two days.
New York Republicans call on Santos to resign and give up his House seat
A coalition of Republican officials in New York state, including a Long Island congressman, say Rep. George Santos should resign over the "overwhelming" lies he told voters.
Donald Blom, killer of Katie Poirier, dies in Minn. prison
Donald Blom, the man convicted in the 1999 killing of convenience store clerk Katie Poirier in a case that shook Minnesota, has died while serving a prison sentence of life without parole, the Department of Corrections said Wednesday.