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Stories from March 15, 2023

Minn. investigators allege Madelia meatpacking plant employed young workers in dangerous jobs

Minn. investigators allege Madelia meatpacking plant employed young workers in dangerous jobs

Minnesota authorities have filed a temporary restraining order against a southwest Minnesota meat processor for allegedly employing children as young as 13 to operate meat grinders, ovens and a forklift.
by MPR News Staff

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Worst of Thursday's storm north of Twin Cities

Worst of Thursday's storm north of Twin Cities

The heaviest snow will fall across northeast Minnesota, including the Duluth area and North Shore. Winter storm warnings have been issued for most of northeastern Minnesota. Most of central and southern Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory Thursday into Friday morning.
by Paul Huttner

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Auditor's report finds profound problems with Southwest Light Rail construction project

Auditor's report finds profound problems with Southwest Light Rail construction project, and cameras are going to start showing up in more Minnesota Court rooms. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant funeral details released

Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant funeral details released

The family of Vikings coach Bud Grant say he will be mourned in a private service Saturday with a public service in the coming months at U.S. Bank Stadium.
by MPR News Staff

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Park Square Theatre cancels remaining season

Park Square Theatre cancels remaining season

Citing fiscal problems and the pandemic, St. Paul’s Park Square Theatre has suspended the remaining season following their current production, “The Revolutionists.”
by Max Sparber and Alex V. Cipolle

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Grandson of Iditarod co-founder wins Alaska sled dog race

Grandson of Iditarod co-founder wins Alaska sled dog race

Ryan Redington has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which his grandfather helped co-found. Redington's dog team pulled him down Nome's main street shortly after noon on Tuesday, sliding him under the iconic burled arch finish line.
by The Associated Press

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How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (deliciously) in the kitchen

How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (deliciously) in the kitchen

With rain and snow in the forecast, maybe you're looking for a quieter way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year. James Beard Award-winner and cookbook author Beth Dooley is here with some ideas.
by Catharine Richert, Amy Felegy and Megan Burks

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Met Council to vote on security guards at Metro Transit stations

Met Council to vote on security guards at Metro Transit stations

The Met Council will vote Wednesday evening on a contract with a security company to place guards at six bus and light rail stations. Metro Transit announced on Tuesday it will close the shelter at the Uptown Transit Station in Minneapolis until it has security there.
by Tim Nelson and Alanna Elder

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‘I barely use any fuel': Lots of choices, lots of demand for EVs

‘I barely use any fuel': Lots of choices, lots of demand for EVs

As policy makers wrestle with how to build out a charging network for electric cars, EVs are growing in popularity. In fact, some models are hard to find in Minnesota right now.  
by Mark Zdechlik

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Two Minnesota children's book authors on getting and giving a sense of belonging

Two Minnesota children's book authors on getting and giving a sense of belonging

Growing up is tough enough, but even more so when you feel like you don’t fit in. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two Minnesotans of color about their paths to knowing and loving themselves and how to teach that to kids. They’ve both written children’s books to help other kids feel like they belong and that they have a voice. 
by Angela Davis and Danelle Cloutier

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Minnesota courts to allow broader use of cameras in cases

Minnesota courts to allow broader use of cameras in cases

More audio and visual coverage of court cases will be allowed under an order from Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea.
by Brian Bakst

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Auditor's report finds Southwest Light Rail project has governance issues

Auditor's report finds Southwest Light Rail project has governance issues

A new report on the Southwest Light Rail project has identified a host of governance issues, and suggests that the Minnesota Legislature fundamentally reorganize how such major transit projects are planned, paid for and built.
by Tim Nelson

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Lawmakers weigh doing away with subminimum wages for Minnesotans with disabilities

Thousands of Minnesotans work jobs that pay significantly below minimum wage, in many cases less than four dollars an hour. These subminimum wages are legal if the employee has a disability and if the employer is certified.
by Tom Crann and Lukas Levin

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Mild Wednesday before the next winter storm moves in Thursday

Mild Wednesday before the next winter storm moves in Thursday

Temperatures will be warmer Wednesday ahead of our next winter storm. Rain and snow will develop for northern Minnesota Wednesday night and southern Minnesota early Thursday into Friday. A winter storm watch goes into effect Thursday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled

The unexpected American shopping spree seems to have cooled

Retail sales dipped 0.4 percent in February after a surprise start-of-the-year surge that appeared at odds with the Federal Reserve's goal of cooling down the economy.
by Alina Selyukh

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Bally Sports owner files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Bally Sports owner files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, such as the Bally Sports North network in Minnesota that broadcasts Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx and Wild games, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic has cancer surgery

Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, said Tuesday she underwent successful surgery after being diagnosed with cancer. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Tom Crann. Music by Gary Meister.

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Warmer Wednesday with rain and snow on the way Wednesday night into Thursday

Warmer Wednesday with rain and snow on the way Wednesday night into Thursday

Temperatures warm up Wednesday with many places seeing highs in the 40s. The first round of moisture brings rain and snow to northern Minnesota Wednesday night with rain and snow spreading across southern Minnesota Thursday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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So you began your event with an indigenous land acknowledgement. Now what?

So you began your event with an indigenous land acknowledgement. Now what?

Statements recognizing indigenous rights to territories seized by colonial powers may be well-meaning. But some indigenous leaders fear these acknowledgments may become routine and performative.
by Chloe Veltman

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The artist’s guide to the galaxy: Michael Engebretson explores space and autism 

The artist’s guide to the galaxy: Michael Engebretson explores space and autism 

Michael Engebretson creates fantastical paintings of transdimensional spaceships and other science fiction themes. He says these are informed by his experiences with autism, which allow him to experience the world — and solutions for the world’s problems — in ways others may not.
by Alex V. Cipolle

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Prior Lake High students find voice, power in wake of Twin Cities racial turmoil

Prior Lake High students find voice, power in wake of Twin Cities racial turmoil

The police killings of George Floyd in 2020 and Daunte Wright in 2021 galvanized students of color at schools across Minnesota. Young leaders have emerged and forced hard conversations to the surface around race and equity. At Prior Lake, students say they see progress, but it comes slowly. 
by Elizabeth Shockman

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