Stories from February 24, 2023

A Hennepin County district court judge ruled Friday the city of Minneapolis may not move forward with a planned demolition next week.  This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
National survey, some statewide metrics show Minnesotans seeing less COVID
Last week we presented the results of our reader survey, which indicated that many of you thought COVID-19 was circulating in your communities more in recent weeks than it had been at any other point in the past year. This week, we have the latest results of a more scientific poll – the Household Pulse Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Malcom X's family is suing the CIA, FBI and NYPD
Malcolm X's daughter Ilyasah Shabazz and attorney Ben Crump talk to Morning Edition's Leila Fadel about their plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the NYPD and other government agencies.
Lakeville police said earlier that the child’s father reported him missing from his apartment Friday morning and that authorities had information suggesting he was with another family member.
 U puts a number on acquiring its buildings from Fairview: $950 million
The University of Minnesota released what it plans to ask state lawmakers to provide as it works to acquire its buildings from Fairview Health Services, in the midst of a proposed merger with Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, SD.
Minneapolis Roof Depot demolition halted for now
A Hennepin County judge ruled Friday that the City of Minneapolis may not move forward with a planned demolition next week of the empty Roof Depot site in the East Phillips neighborhood.
Deepti Kapoor on her much anticipated novel 'Age of Vice'
MPR News host Kerri Miller says Deepti Kapoor’s novel lives up to the hype. “Age of Vice” introduces us to the extreme wealth, corruption and cynicism of a changing India in a daring new crime thriller.
With all the snow this week, an MPR listener wondered about the snowiest February in Minnesota history. According to meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley, a record from February 1939 still stands, when Pigeon River in Cook County saw 51 inches of fresh snow.
Chilly Friday with late, light snow; weekend's nice, Monday may be messy
Friday will be nearly 20 degrees colder than normal with highs ranging from the low teens southeast to subzero northwest. A brief shot of light snow moves through late Friday evening with a messier system Monday.
The U.S. announces sweeping new Russia sanctions 1 year into war
The U.S. has announced a new round of sanctions on Russian firms, banks, manufacturers and people. The package is aimed at entities that helped Russia evade sanctions earlier in the year-old war against Ukraine.
The school district agreed to pay $140,000 to settle the lawsuit filed by a Cold Spring, Minn., woman on behalf of two of her children, accusing the district of failing to respond to repeated reports of bullying and harassment at school and online. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Chilly Friday followed by a weekend warm up; rain, snow possible Monday
Most of Minnesota is seeing subzero temperatures early Friday with high temperatures that will run about 20 degrees below the average in the teens and single digits. Temps warm up this weekend with rain, snow possible Monday.
Why an ulcer drug could be the last option for some abortion patients
Some abortion providers are looking to misoprostol, a medication widely used around the world, should a federal judge in Texas block access to a key medication abortion option.
Jimmy Carter took on the awful Guinea worm when no one else would — and he triumphed
Carter targeted diseases primarily affecting the poor in remote areas — notably "Guinea worm disease." Because of his commitment, case numbers plummeted from 3.6 million a year to just 13 in 2022.
This company has designed NASA's mission patch for 50 years
Since the first days of the space program, astronauts wear a special patch specific to each mission. A small North Carolina company has designed them all since the Apollo lunar launches.
Elders teach the finer points — and spiritual importance — of snow snake
Bemidji hosts the Indigenous Winter Games this weekend. In preparation, the community nonprofit Manidoo Ogitigaan hosted a four-day snow snake making workshop where participants learned about the sport and its spiritual importance.
Extra funding does little to increase dental care for Medical Assistance recipients
During its 2021 session, the Minnesota Legislature increased reimbursement rates to make sure more Medical Assistance enrollees saw the dentist. A year later, those changes have made little difference.