Stories from February 21, 2023

Governor Tim Walz says he has already issued emergency orders to the National Guard, the Minnesota State Patrol and other agencies in advance of a potentially record-setting winter storm. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Hannah Yang. Music by Gary Meister.
Blizzard warnings widen into Twin Cities metro; travel may be 'impossible'
Wright, Carver and Scott Counties have been added to the blizzard warning zone. The Twin Cities National Weather Service office is warning the storm “should lead to impossible travel” by Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Judge restricts trapping to protect Minnesota's threatened lynx
A federal judge has ordered Minnesota wildlife managers to restrict traps that can inadvertently harm the threatened Canada lynx. The ruling ends a 15-year dispute over wildlife trapping in northeastern Minnesota.
Environmental justice activists continue fight against Roof Depot demolition
Activists in south Minneapolis have set up tents to occupy the site of a planned expansion of a city public works facility. They're concerned demolition of the Roof Depot building on the 8.5-acre former superfund site will lead to more pollution in the neighborhood. 
Heavy snow starts in SW Minnesota; 3-7 inches expected in storm's first wave
Expect slippery roads from the afternoon rush hours Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Many locations may see a lull, or even a brief break in snowfall Wednesday morning before the second, bigger snow wave arrives.
Minnesota’s largest voter-eligibility change in half century passes
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill Tuesday granting felons quicker restoration of voting rights, and the bill now goes to the governor for his signature. The change will affect thousands of people now barred from voting.
Sports betting bill at Minnesota Legislature would put tribes in charge
A bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota introduced Tuesday by DFL lawmakers would allow betting at tribal casinos and on mobile devices, but not at horse tracks and sports stadiums.
Closings begin, officials warn of 'historic' snowstorm's coming dangers
Regional authorities on Tuesday were preparing for the potential of up to nearly 2 feet of snow in swaths of western and southern Minnesota through Thursday. Here’s what we know about travel conditions, school and business closings and forecasts.
Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault on 50 years covering Black lives
Hunter-Gault talked to MPR News host Angela Davis about her latest book, her conversation with Nelson Mandela, how she made history and why Black history needs to be told.
Top 3 snow on the way? Big winter storm develops Tuesday
Winter storm warnings are in effect for much of south-central Minnesota for a long duration major winter storm. Significant snowfall begins Tuesday afternoon. The current Twin Cities forecast calls for 17-23 inches by the time it ends Thursday.
Biden in Poland says U.S. and allies 'have Ukraine's back'
President Joe Biden, in Poland after his lightning trip to Ukraine, is declaring that there are “hard and bitter days ahead” in fighting off Russia's invasion. But he's pledging that the United States and its allies will “have Ukraine’s back” as the war enters its second year.
Cleveland-Cliffs says it is recalling some of the more than 400 workers it laid off last spring, idling one of the Iron Range’s key mining and taconite production operations. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Death toll rises to 8 from new Turkey-Syria earthquake
Authorities and media in Turkey and Syria say the death toll has risen to eight in a new and powerful earthquake that struck two weeks after a devastating temblor killed nearly 45,000 people.
Putin tells Russian parliament the West is trying to dismember Russia
President Vladimir Putin delivered his remarks to a joint session of Russia's parliament. The annual address was canceled last year when the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine began to falter.
Record snowstorm poses challenges for travel and parking
City and state officials are advising people to stay home and find off-street parking if possible to help plows clear already snow-narrowed roads.
Eat, fillet, love: Advocates seek more respect for Minnesota's underappreciated fish
Advocates for native species currently designated as rough fish — from redhorse suckers to bigmouth buffalo — say they provide many ecological benefits. Some also face threats and may need additional regulations.
2022 Books We Love: Nonfiction
NPR's Books We Love is full of stories. The feature rounds up fiction and nonfiction of many different kinds, and it gives you lots of ways to find what you might love, too. Today, we're diving into the category of nonfiction and highlighting some of our favorite picks.
Minnesota House votes to ban LGBTQ youth conversion therapy
The proposal has previously hit a wall in the Minnesota Senate but supporters said they were confident that the bill could pass this year, now that the DFL has the majority.