Stories from November 29, 2023

Solar storms may bring northern lights, especially Thursday night
Coronal mass ejections can blast Earth’s magnetosphere with solar energy and excite different gasses like nitrogen and oxygen. The result can be vivid auroras in the nighttime sky. Keep an eye on the northern night sky the next two nights.
A forgotten trove of rare video games could now be worth six figures
When a video game store closed in 1998, hundreds of sealed Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis cartridges were stored and forgotten. Now, a collection of the top-graded items has been appraised.
Pro-Palestinian, Jewish groups gather at Capitol to weigh in on state's Israel investments
The state invests $116.3 million in Israel through pensions and other investments. Pro-Palestinian groups want the state to divest those funds, while Jewish groups argue against the move.
A Minneapolis man has been charged with murder in a fatal stabbing at a bus stop in Edina on Nov. 22, in what the victim’s family called a “random act of violence.”
Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools
Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community.
Anti-war protesters gathered for a meeting of the Minnesota State Board of Investment, calling on the board to pull state money invested in companies they say are linked to Israel and the Israeli military. Members of Minnesota's Jewish Community spoke urging the state board to block efforts to erase Israeli investments from the public portfolio, saying the State Board of Investment should oppose divestment. That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
3 climate impacts the U.S. will see if warming goes beyond 1.5 degrees
Climate science shows that beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, impacts in the U.S. get substantially worse. The world is on track for almost double that level of warming by the end of the century.
Mediators work to extend Israel-Hamas truce as final planned hostage swap nears
U.S. and Israeli officials are in Qatar working on a new cease-fire extension. Separately, Hamas released two hostages it said were Russian citizens at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Native American Heritage Month is ending. Here's how our Native News team celebrated
Native American Heritage Month is observed in Minnesota to recognize the land it is on, the many contributions by Native people, and the relationship between tribes and the state. MPR’s Native News team celebrated the month by spending time in community, while sharing events with the public through social media channels.
Some songs can make a movie sing, and the other way around. Nate Patrin is a music writer who ties pop music and famous films together in his new book.
Is AI coming to a weather forecast near you?
It’s still early in the artificial intelligence forecast process, but the skill shown so far is astounding. It’s quite possible that AI-generated weather forecasts could lead to a breakthrough in forecast speed and accuracy in the coming years.
Get out and enjoy the weather today if you can! Here’s the latest on the former PolyMet copper mine, Taste of Scandinavia, tree lighting and this week’s block party.
Arizona GOP county officials face charges after refusing to certify election on time
Republican officials of Arizona’s Cochise County face criminal charges after they risked more than 47,000 people’s votes for the 2022 midterm elections by refusing to certify them by the deadline.
U.S. moves to protect wolverines as climate change melts their mountain refuges
The North American wolverine would receive threatened species protections under a Biden administration proposal. Warming temperatures are expected to shrink the mountain snowpack wolverines rely on.
Warmer and bright Wednesday; weekend snow showers possible
Morning temperatures Wednesday were already 15 to 30 degrees warmer than early Tuesday. We’ll see highs in the 40s across southern Minnesota Wednesday. Temperatures will be slightly cooler Thursday.
Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on climate change
As Republicans seek their party's nomination in the 2024 presidential election, their stances on key issues will be top of mind for voters. Climate change is particularly important to younger voters.
Milder Wednesday with plenty of sunshine
After a cold start to the week, Wednesday will be considerably milder. Highs will be in the 40s across southern Minnesota. A weak cool front will drop temps slightly for Thursday. 
Mayo Clinic has unveiled plans for a new $5 billion campus in downtown Rochester. And the State Emblems Redesign Commission is looking for public feedback before it narrows its pool of finalists for a new state flag and seal. 
Timberwolves top Thunder 106-103 despite Edwards injury
Rudy Gobert had 17 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves withstood an injury to Anthony Edwards to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-103 in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
How can we break the cycle of childhood trauma? Help a baby's parents
HealthySteps is an intervention where new parents get practical help with their lives, allowing them to create stable, nurturing bonds with their babies. It all starts at the baby's checkups.
U.S. life expectancy starts to recover after sharp pandemic decline
A CDC analysis of 2022 data finds that U.S. life expectancy is improving after being knocked backwards during the COVID emergency. But it's still lower than it was pre-pandemic.
Man serving life for 2004 murder makes his case for innocence
A man serving life in prison for a 2004 murder got the rare chance on Tuesday to argue in court for his exoneration. Attorneys from the Great North Innocence Project are asking a judge to overturn the conviction of Marvin Haynes in the shooting death of Harry “Randy” Sherer.
Judge recommends against key permit for NewRange copper mine, formerly known as PolyMet
A state administrative law judge says the mine’s planned method of storing reactive mine waste is not “practical and workable.” It’s another blow to the $1 billion precious metals mining project proposed for northeastern Minnesota.
Sports Illustrated is the latest media company damaged by an AI experiment gone wrong
Sports Illustrated is the latest media company to see its reputation damaged by being less than forthcoming — if not outright dishonest — about who or what is writing its stories at the dawn of the artificial intelligence age.