Stories from April 3, 2023

U.S. President arrives in Minnesota, U of M president announces she's on her way out and Hamline’s president announces retirement in wake of academic freedom controversy. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
These are the 4 astronauts who'll take a trip around the moon next year
The group will fly on NASA's Orion spacecraft as part of the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon for the first time 50 years and establish a long-term presence there.
Biden touts clean energy spending, jobs in Minnesota visit
In a speech at a Fridley manufacturing plant Monday, President Joe Biden said federal investments in clean energy are creating jobs and spurring private investment.
Suni Lee suspends training amid health concerns; still eying Paris Olympics
The St. Paul native and 2020 women’s all-around gymnastics champion said Monday she’s dealing with a health issue related to her kidneys but said she was committed to pursuing a spot in next year’s Olympic games.
A new report exposes gaps in nurse accountability
You may recall the story of a Beltrami County inmate who died after medical staff ignored his pleas for help. That was back in 2018 and since, almost everyone involved in his care and confinement has been held accountable, except for the nurse who failed to check his vitals while he lay in anguish on his cell floor. ProPublica Reporter Emily Hopkins joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about her story published Monday that shows how the Minnesota Board of Nursing is falling short when it comes to nurse discipline.
What to know about President Biden's Fridley, Minn. visit
Biden is expected to announce a bid for reelection and begin pitching the case to voters for giving him another term. MPR News reporter Mark Zdechlik joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from Fridley, Minn. as press waited for the visit to begin.
Fairview, Sanford push health systems merger plan back to at least August
The two health systems proposing to combine say they will take even more time to finish the deal. Attorney General Keith Ellison says he’s been told that “Fairview leadership has decided to postpone its plans to merge with Sanford.”
Poetry Out Loud winner Stella Wright reads her favorite poems
Stella and other students in the chose a collection of poems to recite and were judged on their stage presence and interpretation. Stella Wright is passionate about bringing other people’s poetry to life. She also writes poetry of her own. She’s a senior at Robbinsdale High School and joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk all things poetry.
Fmr. Gov. Arne Carlson reacts to Joan Gabel leaving U
On Monday morning, the University of Minnesota president Joan Gabel announced she is leaving to take the head job at the University of Pittsburgh. Longtime University of Minnesota booster and former Gov. Arne Carlson, joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer with a reaction to the news.
Pay bumps ahead for governor, judges and other state leaders
The Minnesota Legislature is on track to ratify salary recommendations of an appointed council, raising the pay of statewide elected officials and judges.
Trains running again on western Minnesota rail line, derailment investigation continues
Trains are running again through Raymond, Minn., after a derailment caused an evacuation of the community last week. The National Transportation Safety Board still has a crew on the scene as it investigates the cause of the derailment.
U president Gabel leaving for University of Pittsburgh
University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel said Monday she is leaving to become chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh. She faced criticism late last year for joining the board of a financial services firm while continuing to run the U.
What could the future of downtown Minneapolis look like?
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey supports converting downtown office buildings into apartments. With government buy-in, a downtown transformation is likely.
Hamline president caught up in Muslim art controversy to retire
Fayneese Miller will leave her post effective June 30, 2024, the school said Monday. Miller faced widespread criticism over how she handled a controversy involving an image of the Prophet Muhammad shown in an art history class.
iPhone says 80s next week? Careful where you get your Minnesota weather
Many Twin Cities residents awoke Monday to their iPhone weather forecasts telling them it’d be in the 80s next week. This would be quite the “weather whiplash.” It’s also highly unlikely. Here’s what’s going on.
In her 'deeply research memoir,' writer Emily Strasser explores the history of nuclear weapons
Minneapolis writer Emily Strasser has a brand new book inspired by a curious picture that hung in her Grandmother's house. Her questions about that image set her on a years long exploration of her family history, and its disturbing connections to global conflict.
The impact of diversity, equity and inclusion pledges in the workplace
After George Floyd was murdered in 2020, corporations made pledges to address systemic discrimination both within their organizations and in the community, but what has actually changed? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two diversity, equity and inclusion leaders in the Twin Cities about what DEI looks like in practice and how to create meaningful change. 
Cloudy Monday; rain, heavy snow set to fall Tuesday into Wednesday
Monday will bring flurries and clouds north with increasing clouds south. Snow and rain develop Tuesday with significant snowfall for much of northern and west central Minnesota into Wednesday. It’ll then be colder before warming up into the weekend.
Watch: Biden pushes clean energy, economic agenda in Minnesota
President Joe Biden is set to tour a clean energy technology manufacturer in the Twin Cities on Monday as part of his effort to highlight his investment agenda ahead of an expected reelection campaign.
Minnesota lets nurses practice while disciplinary investigations drag on. Patients keep getting hurt.
A 2015 state audit found the Minnesota Board of Nursing was slow to act on complaints about nurses, putting the public at risk. The board ramped up its discipline for a few years, but now cases are backing up again.
President Joe Biden will visit Cummins Power Generation Facility in Fridley, Minn. on Monday as part of his Administration’s “Investing in America” tour. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Mostly quiet Monday; rain, snow Tuesday into Wednesday
We have one more quiet day Monday before the next big storm system brings lots of moisture to Minnesota again Tuesday. Snow will develop in central and northern Minnesota Tuesday morning with rain developing south. Significant snow will fall north and west into Wednesday.
Building a better brain through music, dance and poetry
Art can make the brain's wiring stronger, more flexible, and ready to learn, say the authors of the new book, “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.”
Past presidents, while never indicted, have faced legal woes of their own
President Nixon was named as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Watergate scandal, and President Clinton was impeached following the fallout from his affair with a White House intern.
Details on Minnesota tax relief to become clearer next week
Minnesota lawmakers are set to break for an Easter and Passover recess this week. When they come back, they’ll unveil details of tax proposals that will detail how they’d like to send money back to Minnesota taxpayers.