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Stories from March 17, 2023

Minn. governor signs universal school meals bill

Gov. Tim Walz on Friday signed into law a bill that provides free breakfast and lunch to students at participating schools. The program takes effect in the fall, and will cost the state of Minnesota close to $400 million in its first two years. This is an MPR News evening update for March 17, 2023. Hosted by Matt Sepic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Bemidji State University set to lay off 23 employees

Bemidji State University set to lay off 23 employees

The decision was made to address a $9 million loss in revenue which also created a $9 million deficit for the university. BSU attributes this to an almost 20 percent decrease in enrollment in the dawn of COVID-19.
by Mathew Holding Eagle III

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CDC puts much of Minnesota at low risk of COVID this week

CDC puts much of Minnesota at low risk of COVID this week

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to those who celebrate the holiday! Coincidentally, the CDC’s map of Minnesota’s COVID-19 “Community Levels” is almost entirely green, indicating low risk of COVID throughout the state.
by Alyson Clary and Elisabeth Gawthrop

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Walz signs universal school meals bill into Minnesota law

Walz signs universal school meals bill into Minnesota law

Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law Friday that will provide breakfasts and lunches at no charge to students at participating schools. It makes Minnesota the fourth state in the country to do so.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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New COVID origins data point to raccoon dogs in China market

New COVID origins data point to raccoon dogs in China market

Scientists have found raccoon dog DNA comingled with the virus in previously unavailable genetic data, from samples in Wuhan, China shortly after the first human cases were detected. Other experts have not yet verified their analysis.
by The Associated Press

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City officials: Monticello's water system not affected by radioactive water leak

City officials: Monticello's water system not affected by radioactive water leak

City officials in Monticello, Minn., say the city’s water wells are not affected by the leak of radioactive water reported at the nearby Xcel Energy nuclear power plant — and they’re working to gather information and address residents’ concerns.
by Sarah Thamer

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The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Putin

The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Putin

The ICC has issued warrants for the Russian president and his children's rights commissioner for alleged war crimes involving accusations that Russia has forcibly taken Ukrainian children.
by Alex Leff, Michele Kelemen and Charles Maynes

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Professor Dacher Keltner on the significance of awe

Professor Dacher Keltner on the significance of awe

According to professor and researcher Dacher Keltner, awe is the universal emotion we feel when we encounter vast mysteries we can’t explain. And he believes we should find more of it, in order to live happy and health lives, both individually and collectively. This week on Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller talks with Keltner about research that resulted in his new book, “Awe: The New Science of Every Day Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life.”
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Accused of lying, ex-Minneapolis equity leader rips city over ‘toxic’ politics

Accused of lying, ex-Minneapolis equity leader rips city over ‘toxic’ politics

Tyeastia Green is the second head of the city’s equity office to leave in the past two years. As the city readies an audit of her “I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams Expo,”' Green pushed back on the ethics complaints against her and said city leaders aren’t serious about fighting racism.
by Jon Collins

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Father, economist shares view on wage bill for Minnesotans with disabilities

Earlier this week we heard about a new bill that would do away with the subminimum wage for Minnesotans with disabilities, based on recommendations from a state task force. For more perspective, MPR News host Tom Crann talked with economist C. Ford Runge, whose daughter works in a sheltered workshop.
by Tom Crann and MPR News Staff

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Spring flooding concerns rising; a look back at 1965

Spring flooding concerns rising; a look back at 1965

Heavy winter precipitation and a slow thaw so far are increasing the odds of significant flooding this spring. What happens in the next several weeks will be critical.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Ask a Bookseller: 'Here Goes Nothing'

Ask a Bookseller: 'Here Goes Nothing'

"Here Goes Nothing" by Steve Toltz has whispers of the 1990 film "Ghost" and the NBC comedy "The Good Place," rolled up in an original and humorous tale.
by Emily Bright

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Gov. Walz to sign bill providing free lunches to all students

Starting next fall, any student will get basic meals at no cost to them regardless of their family’s income. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Tom Crann. Music by Gary Meister.

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Much colder than normal Friday and Saturday; warmer next week

Much colder than normal Friday and Saturday; warmer next week

High temperatures Friday will be mainly in teens, struggling to reach 20 for some. Blustery northwest winds at 10-25 mph will create subzero wind chills through the morning. Temperatures warm to normal by Monday.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Minnesota officer files lawsuit after being bitten by K-9

Minnesota officer files lawsuit after being bitten by K-9

A Minnesota police officer who was bitten by a police dog while pursuing a suspect is suing a county sheriff's deputy for excessive force in a rare case of one officer suing another.
by The Associated Press

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'Back to one meal a day': SNAP benefits drop as food prices climb

'Back to one meal a day': SNAP benefits drop as food prices climb

A lot of people don't think twice about buying milk, says Teresa Calderez. "But there are lots of us out here who can't buy a gallon of milk when we need it."
by Lauren Hodges

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‘We want to be accepted’: Clubhouses give community to those with mental illness

‘We want to be accepted’: Clubhouses give community to those with mental illness

Fountain House pioneered what is now known as the clubhouse model, which are community-based programs that provide social support for severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder.
by Lydia McMullen-Laird

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'It's all white people': Colorful Weddings is reimagining ceremonies, wedding industry representation

'It's all white people': Colorful Weddings is reimagining ceremonies, wedding industry representation

Colorful Weddings is trying to create more opportunities for Black, Indigenous and business owners of color and present more options for couples looking for ceremonies which better represent their cultures and traditions.
by Simone Cazares

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