Stories from November 3, 2023

Jury to start deliberations in $300M telemarketing fraud trial
A jury in Minneapolis on Friday heard closing arguments in the case of three people charged in a nationwide telemarketing scam that ensnared more than 150,000 magazine subscribers and cost them $300 million.
Employees at all seven First Avenue music venues unionize
About 200 bartenders, ticket-collectors, and floor managers working at First Avenue’s seven locations moved to unionize. They’re asking for better pay, better training and more notice in scheduling shifts.  
Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services says it’s cutting 250 jobs across its hospitals and clinics. Fairview says the jobs will be cut before the end of the year.
What to know about Metro Transit's new fare enforcement program
If you ride Metro Transit in the Twin Cities, expect to see agents enforcing fares on buses and light rail trains soon. The change is in response to a new law, called the Transit Rider Investment Program, or TRIP, that makes fare evasion a civil offense.
Last month, Governor Tim Walz announced a $300 million investment for the Great Start Compensation Support payments program for the next two years and future permanent funding to help get childcare providers closer to a living wage. Almost 6,000 childcare providers across the state applied for support funds. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
'Unapologetically Indigenous' mural preserved for future generations
Constructed of western red cedar, the mural is monumental in size — 17 feet high and 95 feet wide. The mural was installed on the south face of the Minneapolis American Indian Center almost 50 years ago. The center has been under construction since last winter. 
The FDA proposes banning a food additive that's been used for a century
Brominated vegetable oil is a food additive that studies show causes organ damage in rats and pigs. It was introduced in the 1920s and is used today in sodas and sports drinks.
Moorhead unveils monument to Black civil war veteran
A new monument in Moorhead honors a Black civil war veteran who settled in the new community after the war, raised a family and worked as a barber.
Lawsuit claims unequal housing code enforcement hurts Minneapolis renters of color
Ten northside tenants and homeowners recently sued the city of Minneapolis claiming it responds to housing code complaint calls in predominantly white neighborhoods with more efficiency than it does in predominantly Black neighborhoods on the city’s north side. The city denies it discriminates against Black and brown renters.  
Weekend weather: Mild Sunday with rain chance in northern Minnesota
Sunday will feature the mildest temps this weekend. Many of us will have dry weather for most of the weekend, with Sunday rain chances highest in northern Minnesota. Sunset will be about one hour earlier on Sunday.
New invasive crayfish found in Minnesota lake
An invasive crayfish new to Minnesota was found this fall in a lake near Alexandria. There’s no evidence the signal crayfish is reproducing in the lake, but it could pose a risk to lake ecosystems if a population is established.
Minneapolis rabbi discusses decision to interrupt president's fundraiser
Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg spoke with MPR News host Tom Crann Thursday about her decision to speak out at the event, and about how she’s navigating disagreement in the Jewish community.
A hard look at gun violence in 'The Bodies Keep Coming'
A trauma surgeon looks at how gun violence and racism and health care intersect — and offers solutions for how we can fix a system that harms so many.
Pleasant Friday and Saturday; rain north Sunday
Milder temperatures coming for the next several days. Rain likely Sunday, mainly north.
November starts cold following a wet and warm October
It’s been a cold start to November following a warmer-than-average and wet October in Minnesota. Retired meteorologist and climatologist Mark Seeley talks about the chill and easing drought conditions with Cathy Wurzer in their weekly weather chat.
The Minnesota Supreme Court will now decide a case whether Donald Trump can appear on the 2024 state ballot. Twin Cities-based Fairview Health Services is cutting 250 full- and part-time jobs. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Milder Friday and weekend
Pleasant Friday and Saturday. Warmer on Sunday with chances of rain.
Britain bans prosecution of past Catholic and Protestant killings in Northern Ireland
Twenty-five years after a Northern Ireland peace agreement, a controversial new law bans prosecution of crimes dating to the Troubles. Supporters deem it reconciliation. Victims see denial of justice.
Six things to know about the political debate around daylight saving time
Nineteen states have passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent. But those laws won’t take effect until Congress makes it legal. And the medical community sees one major problem.
House approves aid package for Israel, but not for Ukraine
The first substantial legislative effort in Congress to support Israel in the war falls far short of President Biden's request for nearly $106 billion that would also back Ukraine as it fights Russia.
More medical gloves are coming from China, as U.S. makers of protective gear struggle
The federal government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost American production of medical gloves, but some companies say it's not enough when imported gloves have gotten cheaper.
 Rollout of all-terrain trackchairs broadens access to state parks
If you use a wheelchair it can be a challenge to get out into the woods. But that is changing. The Minnesota DNR introduced five all-terrain trackchairs in some state parks last summer. Now 13 state parks offer the caterpillar-tracked chairs, allowing guests to range much further.
Saturday's deer opener brings expanded testing for chronic wasting disease
More than 400,000 hunters are expected to participate in the Minnesota deer hunting season this year. Hunters can expect expanded testing for chronic wasting disease and restrictions on the movement of killed deer, all aimed at limiting the spread of the disease that is always fatal in deer.