Stories from November 17, 2023

Minnesota artists create online petition for Gaza cease-fire
Minneapolis musician Jeremy Messersmith leads a petition effort among Minnesota artists, calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Israel told Palestinians to evacuate to southern Gaza — and stepped up attacks there
Satellite imagery shows a steady increase in the number of buildings destroyed in middle and southern Gaza. Most damage appeared after Oct. 13, when Israel's military urged evacuation from the north.
Updated COVID vaccine administered to one in eight Minnesotans
As of Nov. 13, roughly 720,000 doses of the recently available updated COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Minnesota, accounting for just over 13 percent of the population. COVID-19, flu and RSV hospitalizations remain well below this time last year. 
Music, art, merchants and international food doubled with sunny skies? What a weekend.
The amount raised during the 15th Give to the Max day was only about $100,000 dollars short of the record of $34.3 million, set in 2021. And two turkeys from Minnesota are on their way to Washington, D.C. for an official pardon. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
André 3000 opens up about 'New Blue Sun,' his daring new solo album
Out now, the outrageous half of OutKast about talks his first album in 17 years, his wild ayahuasca trip and why he gets so many requests to play flute at funerals.
Big 3 autoworkers vote 'yes' to historic UAW contracts
With voting nearly complete, long-time workers should soon see pay rise by about 33 percent, while some newer workers and temps will see their pay more than double. Final tallies are expected this weekend.
Israel says it will allow limited deliveries of fuel to Gaza for aid needs
Israel will allow 140,000 liters of fuel into Gaza every two days for the United Nations’ use to distribute aid and for telecommunications provider Paltel to keep phone and internet service available.
Netanyahu says Gaza needs a new 'civilian government,' but won't say who
NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel’s war on Hamas. Netanyahu says once Hamas is defeated, Israel has to make sure there is no resurgence of terrorism.
Weekend weather: Pleasant, with mild temps
Weather won’t interfere with outdoor plans this weekend. We have the pleasant weekend forecast details.
Tour the galaxy with the 'Bad Astronomer'
In his new book, Philip Plait — aka the Bad Astronomer — takes space fans on a vivid tour of the cosmos, with stops on planets, moons, stars and even black holes. (Spoiler: That last one doesn’t end well.)
Materials and power: Artist investigates labor rights and solidarity in textile exhibition
In an exhibit, Minneapolis artist Rachel Breen highlights the labor rights of garment workers and the issues of overconsumption and fast fashion, incorporating textile works, a site-specific wall drawing, and reflections on historical garment industry tragedies, all aimed at emphasizing solidarity and collective power.
Chillier Friday, pleasant weekend. Colder next week
Cooler temperatures for a quiet Friday. Next week will turn much colder as Thanksgiving Day approaches.
The Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Jacob Frey will meet today to consider more than $15 million in bonuses for Minneapolis police officers and recruits. Five Minnesota families who lost loved ones in recent police shootings allege in a new lawsuit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is illegally withholding information about the investigations.
What to know about abortion and the 2024 election
It's been a major factor driving voters to the polls post-Dobbs, and one of the thorniest issues facing the GOP presidential primary field. Here's a dive into what to know ahead of the 2024 election.
The election interference case against Trump is taking shape
Prosecutors are tying former President Donald Trump to the violent events on Jan. 6, 2021. His lawyers asked a court to strip references to that language from his federal indictment.
Christmas tree growers anticipate healthy demand despite drought challenges
Minnesota’s Christmas tree farms are busier than ever getting ready to sell their harvest to the public. The demand for live trees remains strong despite much of the state suffering repeated droughts during the last several years.  
Biden signs temporary spending bill that heads off a government shutdown
President Biden signed a short-term government funding bill on Thursday, avoiding a potential government shutdown and pushing into next year debates about wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel.
School board member Virnig wins DFL primary for Minnesota House seat
Bianca Virnig, a school board member for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district, won a four-way DFL primary for a Minnesota House seat. The general election is in December.
Families of 5 men killed in police shootings sue state for investigation files
Five Minnesota families who lost loved ones in recent police shootings are suing the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. They allege that the BCA is withholding data about the investigations that it’s required by law to make public.