Stories from November 28, 2023

A man convicted of killing a flower shop owner in the city nearly two decades ago testified in court Tuesday that he is innocent of the crime. Also, Mayo Clinic announces a $5 billion expansion to its campus. This is the evening MPR News update for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
New grant will pay for ash tree removal in Minneapolis
Ash tree removals are an expensive burden caused by an invasive beetle. A new grant will help Minneapolis homeowners cover the costs, but many feel more must be done for people currently paying off removals.
Owners of store in George Floyd Square sue Minneapolis over lost business
The owners of Cup Foods, now known as Unity Foods, argue that customers were deterred after city officials’ decided to install temporary concrete barriers near the site from June 2020 until the following year. 
Mayo clinic presents $5 billion new Rochester campus in the works
Mayo says the project will upend our current concept of what it means to go to the hospital and will lean into emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.
Small plane lands on Twin Cities highway, collides with vehicle
Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic cams showed the single-engine Piper PA-28 intact and resting upright against a vehicle in the southbound lanes of Bottineau Boulevard, just north of Interstate 94 in Brooklyn Park around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Two Edina High students say district punished them for pro-Palestinian chant
The students filed a federal complaint alleging discrimination after the school district suspended them for using a pro-Palestinian chant during a recent school protest. The district says free speech rights aren’t unfettered on school property.
New anthology of stories from Southeast Asian elders explores joy after grief
A Minneapolis-based nonprofit is releasing a book of stories collected by 16 authors from their older relatives who fled Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Coldest morning of the season so far gives way to a warmup
Early Tuesday brought the coldest temperatures we’ve seen since March. It will be warmer but still below normal Tuesday. Wednesday will bring warmer-than-normal temperatures. 
Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates say that’s not the answer
More cities across the U.S. are cracking down on homeless tent encampments that have grown more visible and become unsafe. Records obtained by The Associated Press show attempts to clear or to mitigate encampments increased as public pressure grew on officials.
Texas abortion case goes before state's highest court, as more women join lawsuit
Dr. Dani Mathisen is one of 20 patients who say abortion bans in Texas harmed them during complicated pregnancies. Attorneys in the lawsuit will argue before the Texas Supreme Court Tuesday.
Not as cold Tuesday afternoon; warmer air building in
After a frigid start, temperatures will be warmer than Monday but still below normal. Milder air builds in for Wednesday into the weekend. 
East Phillips residents press regulators to close foundry
Residents of a south Minneapolis neighborhood are demanding environmental regulators close an iron foundry after the EPA found that it was emitting excessive amounts of pollution.
Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court Karl Procaccini is now the first person of Muslim faith to sit on the state's highest court. Natalie Hudson made history yesterday as well when she took her oath of office and became first person of color to lead the Minnesota Supreme Court as chief justice. And the union for teachers in the Anoka-Hennepin school district has filed for mediation after it’s teacher contract expired in June. 
In the battle over books, who gets to decide what's age-appropriate at libraries?
There are efforts to change how decisions are made about which books libraries should stock and which section they belong in. Some advocate using a national rating system like the one used for movies.
Bears outlast Vikings 12-10 on 4th field goal
Cairo Santos made a 30-yard field goal for Chicago with 10 seconds left for his fourth of the game after a miss on the opening drive, and the Bears had four interceptions of Joshua Dobbs in a defense-dominated 12-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Two justices mark historic firsts with their installations to Minnesota's Supreme Court
Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Associate Justice Karl Procaccini were officially sworn in to their posts on Monday, each making their own bit of history. Both assumed their place on the court in October, but a ceremony marked their public installations.