Stories from February 6, 2023

Pacific breeze: Extended February thaw this week
Mild Pacific air will dominate Minnesota’s weather forecast for most of the next week.
Blast sends three workers to the hospital, and Ramsey County will move nearly 100 inmates from St. Paul jail. Also, DFLers move to protect state commissioners, after power struggle with GOP and Walz last session. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Cómo escuchar la cobertura bilingüe del Estado de la Unión de NPR
Este martes el Presidente Joe Biden dará el discurso anual del Estado de la Unión. Por primera vez, NPR transmitirá la cobertura y análisis en inglés y español.
Photos: A devastating earthquake hits Turkey and Syria
Search-and-rescue efforts are underway as the death toll began soaring after a powerful earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria early Monday.
Sloppy rain-snow mix into Monday night
A quick-hitting weather system will drop some slushy snow into Monday evening.
Guthrie stages Black joy with 'Blues for an Alabama Sky'
The play follows four African Americans living in Harlem at the tail end of the Harlem Renaissance as they fight to achieve their dreams. “What I love about this play is that we actually see some dreams come true, which is not the norm,” says actor Kimberly Marable.
Economic update: New jobs, tech layoffs and European strikes
MPR News’ senior economics contributor Chris Farrell joined MPR News host Angela Davis to explain the jaw-dropping increase in jobs, the layoff trend in the tech industry and what’s behind the civil servant strikes in Europe.
Ramsey County Jail crowding risks 'life-threatening harm,' Corrections Commissioner says
Ramsey County Jail needs to make a plan reduce its capacity by 168 people by the end of the day on February 6, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Groups pressure MnDOT to halt tree cutting along Lake Country Scenic Byway
Highway resurfacing projects pose a temporary inconvenience but are not usually all that controversial. But a section of Highway 34 in norther Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is also cutting trees as part of its repaving plan. Locals are not happy.
3 injured at home building site explosion in East Bethel
The three injured men were taken to Hennepin Healthcare, one by helicopter and two by ambulance. Their conditions were unknown as of late morning, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said.
Winter Play: The anticipation, anguish and magic of ice dipping
As MPR News staff fanned out across the state to experience cold weather activities they had never tried for the Winter Play series, Regina Medina and Elizabeth Shockman took a transformative plunge in Lake Harriet.
Windy, mild; rain, snow showers Monday afternoon
Clouds will increase Monday with blustery south winds. A wintry mix of rain, snow and some patchy freezing rain develops Monday afternoon and evening. Temperatures remain mild this week.
Gen Z's political power: New data gives insight into America's youngest voters
Generation Z, which turned out in large numbers along with millennials last election, is still new to politics. A report exclusively obtained by NPR adds more context to the youngest voting block.
The Department of Corrections is ordering the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office to reduce the capacity of its Adult Detention Center by Wednesday. The move came after a state investigation into complaints from Ramsey County Public Health officials that inmates in need of emergency medical care were not getting it. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Wintry mix develops Monday afternoon, evening; mild week ahead
Very mild temperatures will continue this week. A clipper system will bring a wintry mix of rain and snow showers Monday afternoon and evening across much of Minnesota.
Busing migrants was a partisan lightning rod. Here's why Democrats have embraced it
Republican governors started the practice of transporting migrants from the U.S. southern border, but Democratic leaders have run with it. They say it's a humanitarian service, not a political stunt.
The State of the Union will showcase the state of the Biden-McCarthy relationship
President Joe Biden developed a strong working relationship with Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell over the years. The same isn't true for Biden and new Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Family caregivers of people with long COVID bear an extra burden
When a case of COVID-19 morphs into the mysterious, chronic condition known as long COVID, the specialists, appointments, medications and daily need for family care can overwhelm everyone involved.
‘It’s really saving folks’: Meet Minnesota’s first all-trans, nonbinary hockey team
Team Trans Twin Cities is the only ice hockey team in Minnesota made up of all transgender and nonbinary players. They scrimmaged at the Xcel Energy Center Jan. 31 and talked empowerment, friendship and trans joy.
DFL steams ahead at MN Capitol, GOP brands it ‘extreme’
With Democrats using their majorities at the Minnesota Capitol to pass a flurry of bills, Republicans are left trying to slow things down and attempt to paint the DFL as outside the mainstream.
Mix of rain & snow arrives Mon. afternoon, lingers into evening; Mild temps this week
We enjoyed a sun-splashed Sunday, and now some changes are coming. We have details on the rain and snow potential for Monday afternoon and evening, plus a look at the mild temps that are on tap this week.