Stories from March 16, 2023

Building with climate change in mind will be crucial in the future
The buildings around us were built for yesterday’s weather and climate. But what about the buildings of tomorrow? A new report reveals a large a gap between current building standards and those we’ll need for the climate of the future.
Pattern change next week: Highs in the 40s with a shot at 50
It looks like we have a significant pattern change ahead for next week that may bring us the warmest air mass in about four months.
State, Xcel energy reveal radioactive hydrogen spill occurred in November at nuclear power plant and Republicans thwart bonding bill to push DFL on tax cuts. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Mayor Frey says city has improved emergency response since Floyd murder
Almost three years after George Floyd's murder by a then-Minneapolis police officer, Mayor Jacob Frey said he is proud of progress the city has made to improve their response to emergencies.
Denver donates 35 bison to Native American tribes
The transfers marked another example of Indigenous people reclaiming stewardship over the land and animals that their ancestors managed for thousands of years.
The secret to making snowplowing more efficient? Let a computer figure it out
As straightforward as the work of snowplowing may seem, however, figuring out an efficient route is anything but. Joris Kinable, a Senior Applied Scientist at Amazon, who helped Pittsburgh optimize their snowplowing, thinks it’s time cities hand the job over to a computer.
Senate advances a bill to repeal Iraq war authorizations
A bill to repeal authorization of the use of force in Iraq has cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate. A final vote in the chamber could come near 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Xcel: Radioactive water leaked in November at Monticello nuclear plant
State regulators said Thursday that they do not believe the contaminated water has left the Xcel Energy site but they’re pumping out contaminated groundwater for storage and are also monitoring local wells. It’s not clear why the leak wasn't disclosed to the public until three months after it occurred.
Revised Walz budget seeks lead pipe fixes, EV tax credit
Gov. Tim Walz tweaked his proposed state budget to spend more on public safety grants to local governments, lead water line replacements and a tax credit for people who buy electric vehicles. The Legislature will make final budget decisions.
Senate GOP blocks bonding bill, sending DFL back to drawing board
The Minnesota Senate on Thursday failed to hit a three-fifths majority needed to pass a borrowing bill that would fund $1.5 billion in local construction projects as Republicans withheld their support.
Messy Thursday commute; weekend looks chilly
Snow will reduce visibilities and cause slippery roads in some areas Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. We have an update on potential snow totals plus advisories and warnings and a look at the chilly weekend ahead.
Vintage motel signs in south Minneapolis go up for auction
If you’re a fan of mid-century modern décor, you’ve got a chance to super-size your taste for nostalgia with two vintage Minneapolis motel signs up for auction.
Whiteout conditions prompt highway closures in southwest Minnesota
Highways across much of southwest Minnesota — including a long stretch of Interstate 90 — were closed Thursday evening due to blowing and drifting snow causing whiteout conditions.
What's new with Gopher hockey, basketball and baseball? Our sports guys have the latest
Sports experts Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined guest host Tim Nelson to talk about the chances of Gopher Hockey winning the Big 10 Tournament Championship, the Twins gearing up for their baseball season, Gopher basketball and NFC North quarterback drama.
Tweens are too old for camp and too young for jobs. What should they do during the summer?
It's that time of year when many caregivers have their kids just all booked for camps and summer activities. That’s fine for elementary age children, but what about our tweens?
Updated Minnesota state budget and surplus plan unveiled by Walz Thursday
Gov. Tim Walz is releasing an update to his state budget plan Thursday. It's a revision based on the latest state budget forecast that still showed the state with a huge projected surplus, topping $17 billion.
St. Patrick’s Day 2023: Celebrations in Minneapolis and St. Paul
Hooley is Irish slang for a lively party, usually with music and this upcoming weekend has a whole lot of St. Patrick’s Day hooleys to choose from.
How winter storms and other extreme weather are connected to climate change
Parts of Minnesota are once again bracing for a winter storm watch starting on Thursday. And it’s been a year of unusual and extreme winter weather. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three experts about the impact of the changing climate, how it’s related to extreme weather and possible solutions. 
Latest storm brings rain turning to snow Thursday into Friday
Falling temperatures will allow morning rain showers to turn to snow in the afternoon and evening Thursday. Snow showers will linger into Friday. Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are posted across much of Minnesota.
Politics Friday: A slim DFL majority works towards full marijuana legalization and universal school meals
MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with Minnesota lawmakers about their work to legalize adult-use cannabis, and the benefits of their universal school meals bill.
U.S. releases video of Russian jet dumping fuel on its drone
The Pentagon has released footage of what it says is a Russian aircraft conducting an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force surveillance drone in international airspace over the Black Sea.
The Uptown Transit Station will close Wednesday evening after security issues in the last several months. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Tom Crann. Music by Gary Meister.
Sickle cell patient's success with gene editing raises hopes and questions
A Mississippi woman's life has been transformed by a treatment for sickle cell disease with the gene-editing technique CRISPR. All her symptoms from a disease once thought incurable have disappeared.
State agencies not sold on new chronic wasting disease test option
A company started by a University of Minnesota researcher is selling a new testing option for chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer. Some state lawmakers want the state to use the new test, but state agencies aren't on board.