Stories from January 20, 2023

Drama-free weather well into next week
The weekend looks quiet. Temperatures will cool next week.
Nine Minnesota destinations for winter hiking
With a good pair of snowshoes and lots of willpower, one can hike most trails in Minnesota year-round. Luckily for the rest of us, there are also options either paved or packed down enough to not require fancy footwear or an emergency beacon. 
How Pit Stop found a country sound in the middle of the Twin Cities
From their Minneapolis practice space, band members talk about their first (barely) pre-pandemic show, their punk and indie roots and what’s influencing their upcoming album.  
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra praised Minnesota Democrats Thursday for taking steps to ensure the right to abortion. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.
Charges: St. Paul rec center worker shot boy after argument, fight
Exavir Dwayne Binford Jr., 26, was charged with second-degree attempted murder in the confrontation that left the victim fighting for his life. Prosecutors allege that Binford at one point said, “If I got to kill somebody I will.”
Racism tears a Maine fishing community apart in 'This Other Eden'
In 1912, the 47 residents of Malaga Island were forcibly removed from their small, interracial community. Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding fictionalizes the story in a stunning new historical novel.
First Native American woman in space steps out on spacewalk
NASA astronaut Nicole Mann emerged alongside Japan’s Koichi Wakata, lugging an equipment bag, to install support struts and brackets for new solar panels launching this summer.
Author Katie Hickman on the women of the American West
Old West mythology is full of dust-covered cowboys, lonesome gun slingers and gold-seeking prospectors. But if you only know the men’s side of the story, you only know part of it.
An MPR listener noted that after last year’s very windy January, this month seems much quieter in comparison.
Weekend weather: Quiet, mild; plenty of snow for outdoor fun
Our weekend weather won’t be filled with drama. We’ll have highs in the 20s and there aren’t any big snowstorms in sight.
Florida blocks high school African American studies class
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration has blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in high schools, saying it violates state law and is historically inaccurate.
Quiet weather Friday and through the weekend
A quiet stretch of weather starts today and continues through the weekend. We have the details.
Coast Guard monitoring Russian spy ship on patrol off Hawaii
While the appearance of a Russian surveillance ship along the U.S. coastline is not unusual, this one has attracted more attention because of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and veiled threats to employ nuclear weapons.
The Minnesota House of Representatives late Thursday approved a proposal to enshrine in state law the right to an abortion — and access to other reproductive health care. After hours of passionate debate, the House voted 69-65 to pass the bill. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
U.S. citizens get chance to play role in resettling refugees
A government program launched Thursday is giving American citizens the chance to play a role in resettling the thousands of refugees who arrive every year in the United States.
Inside the world of cornhole playing with Minnesota's first professional player
Lexi Hugeback is Minnesota's first professional cornhole player, and according to her, cornhole isn't just a game where you throw a beanbag into a hole in a board — it's a game of the mind.
T-Mobile says breach exposed personal data of 37 million customers
T-Mobile said data exposed to theft — based on its investigation to date — did not include passwords or PINs, bank account or credit card information, Social Security numbers or other government IDs.
Vikings fire defensive coordinator Donatell after rough year
The Minnesota Vikings fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell on Thursday, an unsurprising decision on the veteran coach after a dismal finish by his defense.