Stories from January 16, 2023

4-time WNBA champion Maya Moore officially retires at 33
Maya Moore has decided to retire officially from playing basketball. The Minnesota Lynx great stepped away from the WNBA in 2019 to help her now-husband Jonathan Irons win his release from prison by getting his 50-year sentence overturned in 2020.
On King's holiday, daughter calls for bold action over words
America has honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday for nearly four decades yet still hasn't fully embraced and acted on the lessons from the slain civil rights leader, his youngest daughter said Monday.
Alan Page brings back 'Testify' exhibit to spark conversations on race
Alan Page is again sharing his popular and provocative exhibit of African American art and artifacts with the public. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the former Minnesota Supreme Court justice and his daughter about the importance of remembering America’s painful racist history.
For California, weeks of deadly storms are finally set to wane after Monday
Since late December, a series of storms had dropped a year's worth of rain in just a few weeks, causing widespread floods and power outages. At least 19 people have died as a result of the storms.
Future of Us: Creating a new roadmap for justice in the wake of George Floyd
Long-time activist and attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong reflects on how the murder of George Floyd, global protests, and a high-profile conviction have transformed the ways we understand and advocate for justice.
'We were living through the opposite of grace'. Obama’s former speechwriter reflects on time White House.
MPR News with Angela Davis revisits a conversation host Angela Davis had with President Barack Obama’s former speechwriter Cody Keenan. In his new book, Keenan takes readers inside a pivotal 10-day period in Obama’s presidency.
Valerie Jarrett speaks at annual MLK Breakfast
Former Obama White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett spoke at the 2023 MLK Breakfast. The annual event is presented by UNCF and General Mills. Jarrett talked about the inspiration she takes from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., when she first met Michelle and Barack Obama and what to expect from the new Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.
Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel wins Miss Universe Competition
R'Bonney Gabriel, a fashion designer, model and sewing instructor from Texas, has been crowned Miss Universe. The 71st Miss Universe Competition was held Saturday night in New Orleans.
Italy: No 1 wanted Mafia boss held after 30 years on the run
Italian paramilitary police say they have arrested convicted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro in a private clinic in Palermo. Messina Denaro was Italy's No. 1 fugitive and he was arrested after 30 years on the run.
Flight data, voice recorders retrieved from Nepal crash site
Officials say search teams have retrieved the flight data and cockpit voice recorders of a passenger plane that plummeted into a gorge on approach to a new airport in the foothills of the Himalayas.
The Italian film legend Gina Lollobrigida has died at age 95
"Lollo," as she was lovingly nicknamed by Italians, achieved international stardom during the 1950s and was dubbed "the most beautiful woman in the world" after the title of one of her movies.
System brings rain, freezing rain and snow Monday into early Tuesday
Rain showers for southern Minnesota and some freezing rain, wintry mix for central and western Minnesota Monday. The precipitation turns to snow Monday night into Tuesday morning with some accumulation.
3D-printed homes level up with a 2-story house in Houston
A team of designers and engineers are constructing a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed home. They think of it as a pilot project in pursuit of building cheaper, well-designed multifamily homes.
988 Lifeline sees boost in use and funding in first months
The 3-digit suicide and crisis lifeline – 988 – fielded nearly half a million more calls, texts and chats in its first 5 months than the old 10-digit Lifeline did during the same time in 2021.
Vikings fans, team stung by playoff defeat
Before the final minutes of the Vikings’ loss to the Giants, fans reveled in the playoff pageantry and the tight contest.
Death toll in Russian strike on Ukrainian building up to at least 35
The death toll from the weekend Russian missile strike in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro has risen to at least 35, an official said Monday, as rescuers continue searching for more victims.
Expanded U.S. training for Ukraine forces begins in Germany
The U.S. military's new, expanded combat training of Ukrainian forces began in Germany on Sunday. Until now the Pentagon had declined to say exactly when the training would start.
Giants outlast Vikings 31-24 for 1st playoff win in 11 years
Daniel Jones passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran 15 times for 79 yards in his first career playoff game for the New York Giants in a 31-24 victory over Minnesota in the wild-card round. The Vikings took their first loss in a one-score game of the season.