Stories from February 9, 2023

Attorney: FBI probing woman's abuse allegation against Ramsey County jail
Attorneys for Miri Monique Mozuch-Stafford say federal agents are investigating the 2021 incident in which her leg was broken and allegedly not treated for hours. Ramsey County, in a court filing, has denied wrongdoing in the case.
Despite snowy winter, forecasters see average Minnesota spring flood risk
Rivers, lakes, and ponds were very low heading into this winter. That means there is plenty of headroom for runoff to raise water levels before flooding occurs, according to a newly released National Weather Service assessment.
Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig used hot coffee to fend off an attacker this morning inside an elevator at her Washington D.C. apartment building, police say. Craig's staff says there’s no evidence to indicate the attack was politically motivated. The DFL lawmaker suffered bruising, but was able to go to work as planned. This is an MPR News evening] update for February 9, 2023. Hosted by Matt Sepic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Florida high school athletes won't have to report their periods after emergency vote
The Florida High School Athletic Association's board of directors has voted to remove questions about athletes' menstrual history from a required health form for participation in school sports.
How to spot and combat climate misinformation and disinformation
There’s a lot of climate information out there – as well as climate mis- and disinformation. So how can we tell what’s credible science and what isn’t?
‘Female autonomy’ versus ‘betrayal’: Macalester closes, then reopens, art gallery after pushback from Muslim students
Macalester added a content warning to an exhibit by an Iranian American artist, which explores women’s freedoms and Muslim identity. The artist, Taravat Talepasand, said temporarily covering her art with black curtains was an act of “censorship.”
D.C. cops arrest man in attack on Rep. Angie Craig
The Minnesota 2nd District Democrat was physically OK after an attack in the elevator of her Washington apartment building Thursday morning. Police said late Thursday a 26-year-old man was charged with simple assault. The attack does not appear to be politically motivated.
North Carolina company drops plans for northeastern Minnesota wood mill
North Carolina-based Huber Engineered Woods is canceling plans for its proposed $440 million mill in Cohasset, Minn., after a state court earlier this week ruled the city needed to revisit its environmental review of the project. The project ran into opposition from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, whose reservation is located about a mile from where the mill was proposed.
Weekend weather: Mild temps; Saturday will be the brightest day
Mild temperatures are on tap for the weekend. Saturday will be the brightest day but we’ll probably see a bit of sun on Sunday.
Winter play: Skiing with adventurer Ann Bancroft
You might know Bancroft from her many accomplishments. She is the first woman to cross the North and South Poles, and the first woman to traverse Antarctica with skis and sails.
Minnesota doesn't license vet techs. A Willmar-area vet wants to change that
If you want to become a veterinarian in Minnesota, you need to pass both state and national licensing exams. If you want to become a veterinary technician — a vet clinic’s equivalent of a nurse — you don’t need any of that.
Colder air is briefly moving across Minnesota increasing winds and bringing clouds and flurries back Thursday. Temperatures will dive into the single digits south to subzero north Thursday night.
Burt Bacharach, legendary composer of pop songs, dies at 94
Burt Bacharach, the singularly gifted and popular composer and Oscar winner who delighted millions with the quirky arrangements and unforgettable melodies of "Walk on By," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" and dozens of other hits, has died at 94.
Searchers locate 153-year-old wreck of 'bad luck' ship in Lake Superior
It wasn’t a charm, but the third time — a third sinking — is what finally sealed the fate of the sailing vessel Nucleus in 1869. Now, searchers have found the wreck of the Nucleus, surprisingly intact, in the depths of Lake Superior.
Syrians cheer on extraordinary rescues in the earthquake's dire aftermath
Hope is fading for finding survivors after Monday's devastating earthquake. But widely shared footage of volunteers pulling people alive from rubble in northwest Syria has lifted spirits.
Minnesota has started screening all newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus. Officials say the state is the first in the nation to do so universally. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
In St. Cloud, VP Harris promotes electric vehicles
Days after President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, Vice President Kamala Harris was in St. Cloud to highlight the administration’s record on electric vehicles.
Timberwolves top Jazz in matchup of teams trading with Lakers
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points and Jaylen Nowell added a career-high 30 to lead Minnesota to a 143-118 win over Utah on Wednesday night amid word the Timberwolves, Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers were part of an eight-player swap hours ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Hopes fade as rescuers press search for quake survivors in Turkey and Syria
Rescue workers pressed their search Thursday across Turkey and Syria for survivors from this week's massive earthquake and aftershocks as the window to find people alive began to close.
Benn breaks scoreless tie early in 2nd, Stars top Wild 4-1
Captain Jamie Benn broke a scoreless tie 23 seconds into the second period of his 1,001st career game, and the Dallas Stars beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1.
One state looks to get kids in crisis out of the ER — and back home
At many U.S. hospitals, children and teens are stuck in the emergency department for days or weeks because psychiatric beds are full. Massachussets has a simple, yet promising solution..
DFL legislative push prompts threats of lawsuits
As DFL lawmakers speed their priority legislation through at the Minnesota Capitol, some bills have been flagged as possible targets for legal action by conservative groups and others. 
Art Hounds: Works about love, the magic of the woods and life journeys
Anita White’s retrospective show at Vine Arts Center in Minneapolis documents global, spiritual, and medical journeys. Diamond Knispel’s paintings at Watermark Art Center in Bemidji take visitors through a whimsical day in the Northwoods. The play “These Old Shoes” from Transatlantic Love Affair is a love letter to older people.
Winter Play: How polar explorer Ann Bancroft finds magic in the winter
Polar explorer Ann Bancroft might be winter’s biggest champion. But Bancroft, who’s set records traveling to the North and South Poles, and crossing Antarctica, says the key to surviving our coldest months is to tap into your inner child. 
Southwest's COO will tell senators 'we messed up' over the holiday travel meltdown
NPR obtained Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson's prepared testimony for his scheduled appearance before a Senate committee to discuss what led to thousands of flights being canceled.
Pain, joy, solitude share the trail in Minnesota's 'world's toughest race'
The Arrowhead 135 winter ultra race tests athletes like no other competition. Some run it to test their survival savvy. Others come to test their spirit in the frozen, lonely North Woods. Every competitor has a story.