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Stories from March 7, 2023

Can insects have culture? Puzzle-solving bumblebees show it's possible

Can insects have culture? Puzzle-solving bumblebees show it's possible

A new study in PLOS Biology finds that bumblebees can learn to solve puzzles from each other — suggesting that even invertebrate animals may have a capacity for culture.
by Ari Daniel

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How does the Minnesota Legislature work? Two nonpartisan experts explain

How does the Minnesota Legislature work? Two nonpartisan experts explain

Minnesota lawmakers are in session now deciding on issues that will impact all of us. Two nonpartisan administrators who work at the Legislature talk about what resources the public has access to and how people can engage with lawmakers to influence policies.
by Angela Davis, Danelle Cloutier and Nicole Johnson

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Sanford-Fairview merger is meeting with scrutiny and resistance at the Capitol as deal nears

Sanford-Fairview merger is meeting with scrutiny and resistance at the Capitol as deal nears and attorney general Keith Ellison says he’s weighing legal action against Hyundai and Kia for the lack of security measures on their cars. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Symbolic gun rights vote by Itasca County draws mixed feelings from rural Minnesota

Symbolic gun rights vote by Itasca County draws mixed feelings from rural Minnesota

As the DFL-controlled legislature debates various gun safety bills, some rural Minnesota counties have declared themselves 2nd Amendment “dedicated” counties. In Itasca County there's concern about how the resolution was passed.
by Dan Kraker

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Historic Duluth lighthouse has a new owner and will soon offer tours

Historic Duluth lighthouse has a new owner and will soon offer tours

Rethos, a St. Paul-based historic preservation nonprofit, is the new owner of a historic 43-foot-tall lighthouse at the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal.
by Dan Kraker

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89 Days of Spring 2023: Things to do in Minneapolis, St. Paul and greater Minnesota

89 Days of Spring 2023: Things to do in Minneapolis, St. Paul and greater Minnesota

The days are finally getting longer, and meteorological spring is here! As temperatures rise, Minnesota emerges from hibernation. The Current is ready with weekly updates to get active and enjoy this season — around the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

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Lawmakers question timeline, cost of U of M's nearly billion dollar plan to acquire Fairview facilities

Lawmakers question timeline, cost of U of M's nearly billion dollar plan to acquire Fairview facilities

The University recently revealed the estimated cost of the plan, $950 million. That includes $300 million to acquire the campus buildings, as well as funding for staff and other expenses. Meanwhile, Sanford and Fairview said in a letter that they support the U’s proposal, but want it to move forward with the companies’ merger.
by Michelle Wiley

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Winter storm watch Thursday includes the Twin Cities

Winter storm watch Thursday includes the Twin Cities

The latest models show a faster system with a track shifted southward. A faster system would reduce the duration of snow across Minnesota. The more southerly storm track would focus the heaviest snow across southeastern Minnesota, generally south of the Twin Cities area.
by Paul Huttner

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'Toxic workplace' allegations at Hastings Veterans home garner calls for state action

Current and former staffers of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings say a toxic workplace culture has decimated staffing levels and made the facility unsafe.
by Cathy Wurzer, Alanna Elder and Ellen Finn

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Former governors Pawlenty and Dayton will testify against Sanford-Fairview health merger

Former governors Pawlenty and Dayton will testify against Sanford-Fairview health merger

State lawmakers spent Tuesday talking about the proposed Sanford-Fairview Health merger. In a rare joint appearance Tuesday evening, former governors Tim Pawlenty and Mark Dayton with testify in a Senate committee against the merger.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gretchen Brown

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'The Object' podcast launces its fifth season on the hidden stories behind Mia's art collection

'The Object' podcast launces its fifth season on the hidden stories behind Mia's art collection

Have you ever gone into an art museum and wondered, “Seriously, what’s the story behind that thing?” Tim Gihring is on a mission to tell us those stories.
by Cathy Wurzer and Britt Aamodt

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A quiet Tuesday before the next winter storm moves into Minnesota

A quiet Tuesday before the next winter storm moves into Minnesota

We have a dry, quiet Tuesday with seasonable temperatures for the most part. Northwestern Minnesota will be colder. A winter storm watch goes into effect late Thursday into early Friday with a winter weather advisory Tuesday night into Wednesday northwest.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Sally Tarnowski, longtime Duluth judge, dies

Sally Tarnowski, longtime Duluth judge, dies

A longtime district court judge in northeast Minnesota has died. State court officials said Judge Sally Tarnowski died Monday while on vacation in Florida.
by Tim Nelson

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Rochester City Council votes to censure one of its own

Rochester City Council votes to censure one of its own

The Rochester City Council on Monday night approved a censure of one of its members. The vote comes after what city council members and officials say has been repeated inappropriate behavior from Council Member Molly Dennis.
by Catharine Richert

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Minneapolis police investigating vandalism at 'crisis pregnancy center'

Minneapolis police are investigating vandalism reported over the weekend at a “crisis pregnancy center” operated by a group opposed to abortion. It’s at least the third incident of vandalism targeting abortion opponents in the Twin Cities since last summer. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

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Dry Tuesday; snow showers develops Wednesday with significant snow late Thursday

Dry Tuesday; snow showers develops Wednesday with significant snow late Thursday

We have one mostly dry day Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures near normal, in the 30s south and 20s northwest. Snow showers develop west Tuesday night with the more significant, heavy snow moving in late Thursday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Q: Who's unsurprised by shocking Fox News revelations? A: Ex-Fox journalists

Q: Who's unsurprised by shocking Fox News revelations? A: Ex-Fox journalists

Evidence in Dominion Voting System's $1.6 billion defamation suit against Fox News has cast the network, its stars and its executives in a harsh light. Ex-Fox journalists say they're not surprised.
by David Folkenflik

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What SNAP recipients can expect as benefits shrink in March

What SNAP recipients can expect as benefits shrink in March

Participants in the federal food program might want to reevaluate their eligibility level for SNAP — and consider other assistance programs — as a pandemic-era supplement ends this month.
by Becky Sullivan

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Emerging from pandemic, Rochester seeks to jump-start its downtown

Emerging from pandemic, Rochester seeks to jump-start its downtown

Like most cities, Rochester’s downtown life took a hit during the pandemic. What’s different is that Rochester is in the midst of a massive and expensive 20-year transformation, with its downtown a big part of making the city more vibrant. City leaders have created a new task force to figure out what to do next, and are asking the community for help.
by Catharine Richert

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