Stories from January 13, 2023

The former officer also served as a volunteer coach at a Rochester high school, where he met the teen. According to the criminal complaint, Morgenstern and the alleged victim exchanged sexually explicit videos before having sex at his house.
The National Council on American-Islamic Relations said Friday it sees no evidence that a Hamline University professor's showing of an image of the Prophet Muhammad was Islamophobic. This is the evening MPR News update for Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.
U of M professors say Hamline admin compromised academic freedom
The University of Minnesota’s art history department says it is taking an unusual step of making public its criticisms of another school’s actions involving a professor. Hamline’s president has said the school does respect academic freedom, but not at the expense of students.
'Cannot learn while we are leaking': Bill seeks free period products at school
Minnesota lawmakers are trying once again to require school districts to provide free menstrual products to students. At a recent hearing students testified about why easy access is important.
Federal judge rules Mille Lacs County illegally restricted tribe's policing powers on reservation
The ruling is the latest victory for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in its ongoing dispute with the county over the boundaries of its central Minnesota reservation, and what powers the tribe has within those boundaries.
Deteriorating ice conditions force some Minnesota winter events to pivot
Heavier-than-average snowfall across much of Minnesota this winter has been a boon to a lot of winter sports enthusiasts. But it’s now causing problems with ice conditions on some frozen lakes, forcing organizers of some events to change plans.
Tesla slashes prices across all its models in a bid to boost sales
The price cuts will make Tesla more competitive and will also mean the base model of the Model Y, the best-selling electric vehicle in America, could qualify for a revamped federal tax credit.
Family of man killed by St. Paul police reaches $1.3M settlement with city
The St. Paul City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on a $1.3 million settlement with the mother, grandmother and aunt of Marcus Golden. Police officers fatally shot the 24-year-old Black man outside a St. Paul apartment building on Jan. 14, 2015.
U of M’s top regent snubbed in reelection bid
A panel that advises the Legislature on University of Minnesota regent selections did not include current chair Kendall Powell on a list of finalists. He is not entirely out of the picture, however.
Weekend weather: Mild temps, southerly breezes, dry in most areas
Our weekend weather will be very tame for mid-January. We aren’t expecting any snowstorms or biting wind chills, and temps will be well above normal. We have your weekend forecast details, plus the new Minnesota snow depth map.
Berlin, the polar bear that survived flash flooding at Duluth zoo, dies at 33
A polar bear that spent more than 20 years at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth — famously surviving the 2012 flood that inundated the zoo — has died. She was reportedly the oldest polar bear in human care in the United States, and perhaps in North America.
Joanna Quinn on her best-selling novel 'The Whalebone Theatre'
This week on Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller talks with the British author whose debut novel took England by storm. “The Whalebone Theatre” tells the story of three children who grow up on a posh seaside estate in the 1920s, and how their imaginations and familial bonds both anchor and inspire their lives.
Cool Friday, milder weekend; 2 storms to watch next week
A cool Friday will be followed by much milder air already for the weekend. Highs will be above freezing for many Saturday with a chance at 40 Sunday south. Rain develops Monday with snow Monday night in southern Minnesota.
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. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Continued seasonably cool Friday with some sunshine, mild weekend
Temperatures will once again be cool, but near normal in the teens to low 20s. We’ll also have some sun for many areas of the state. Winds will be light. Highs return to the 30s for most Saturday.
2022 was fifth or sixth warmest on record as Earth heats up
Government science teams say that 2022 didn't quite set a record for heat, but it was in the top five or six warmest on record depending on who's doing the measuring.
U.S. renames 5 places that used racist slur for a Native woman
The U.S. Department of the Interior has renamed five places in California, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas that previously included a racist term for a Native American woman.
Biden political future clouded by classified document probe
President Joe Biden's rosy political outlook veered into uncertainty Thursday after the Justice Department appointed a special counsel to investigate the Democratic president's handling of classified documents.
Wisconsin, North Carolina governors ban popular TikTok app
Wisconsin and North Carolina have become the latest states to ban the use of TikTok on state phones and other devices, a move that comes after nearly half of the states nationwide have blocked the popular social media app owned by a Chinese company.
'A huge concern': December storm did long-term damage to state's forests
The winter storm that smacked much of the state just before Christmas cut off power to thousands of homes, but also left long-lasting damage to the state’s forests. It’s damage that won’t be fully documented until the snow melts.
Publishers concerned as slow U.S. mail delays delivery of local newspapers
A growing number of local newspapers have switched from using carriers to the U.S. Postal Service for delivery, a cost-cutting move as print subscriptions decline. But getting those papers into the hands of readers while the news is still timely has been a challenge.
Oh, deer! Surprise customer breaks into Moorhead, Minn., butcher shop
Northwestern Minnesota butcher shop She Said has gone viral online after a visit from an unexpected patron — who didn’t even bother to open the front door properly.
Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization
Lisa Marie Presley — the only child of Elvis Presley — died Thursday after being hospitalized earlier that day, her mother said in a statement. The singer was 54.