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Stories from December 5, 2023

Liz Cheney, focused on stopping Trump, hasn't ruled out 3rd-party presidential run

Liz Cheney, focused on stopping Trump, hasn't ruled out 3rd-party presidential run

The former representative says a second Trump presidency would be an "existential threat" to democracy: "There's simply no defense, no excuse for putting that power back in the hands of Donald Trump."
by Terry Gross

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New state seal design approved; New flag decision due by end of month

The State Emblems Redesign Commission approved the core design for a new state seal. After the design gained breakaway support in earlier meetings, the panel voted to advance the seal design. The design centers the state bird taking flight from a Minnesota lake. Strands of wild rice, trees and a star frame the loon.  That story and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Jacob Aloi. Music by Gary Meister.
by Jacob Aloi

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Cooler overnight with refreeze ahead of some very mild days

Cooler overnight with refreeze ahead of some very mild days

With clearing skies it will be a cooler night so watch out for refreeze from the melting snow on road and sidewalk surfaces. Temperatures will soar into the 40s Wednesday with some sun. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Fifth annual Dark Sky Festival highlights arts, traditions and threats to Cook County's darkest skies in the world

Fifth annual Dark Sky Festival highlights arts, traditions and threats to Cook County's darkest skies in the world

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of only 17 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world. Every year, adventurers, artists and photographers from around the world travel to Cook County to experience the night sky.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ellen Finn

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Minnesota Twins unveil design for new specialty license plate

Minnesota Twins unveil design for new specialty license plate

The Minnesota Twins on Tuesday unveiled the design for their “This is Twins Territory” specialty license plate, which will be available starting Jan. 1.
by MPR News Staff

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Twin Cities airman among 8 killed in Air Force Osprey crash

Twin Cities airman among 8 killed in Air Force Osprey crash

An Air Force officer from the Twin Cities was among the eight airmen killed in a crash in Japan last week. Maj. Jeffrey Hoernemann, of Andover, Minn., served as an instructor pilot and training officer.
by Matt Sepic

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Cougar caught on camera in Minneapolis; latest in string of sightings in Midwest

Cougar caught on camera in Minneapolis; latest in string of sightings in Midwest

A home surveillance camera picked up an unexpected passerby in the Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis early Monday: a cougar striding calmly down the alley. It’s the latest in a series of sightings in the region in recent months.
by Peter Cox

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Help yourself to the MPR News holiday arts smorgasbord

Help yourself to the MPR News holiday arts smorgasbord

‘Tis the season for holiday music, theater and dance. The MPR News arts team talks about traditional — and not so traditional — shows and events that celebrate the season.
by Jacob Aloi, Alex V. Cipolle, Max Sparber and Maja Beckstrom

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Dreaming of a white Christmas? El Niño might want a word with you

Dreaming of a white Christmas? El Niño might want a word with you

More often than not we pull off a white Christmas in the Twin Cities. But this year we’re in an El Niño pattern, which creates mild winters, and we’ve been lacking for snow so far this season. The forecast models don’t offer much hope.
by Sven Sundgaard

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Whooping cough on the rise in Fargo

Whooping cough is on the rise in Fargo. In just the past month, Cass County has reported twelve cases of the virus — more than they typically see in an entire year.
by Cathy Wurzer and Gretchen Brown

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Decreasing clouds Tuesday with a big warmup coming

Decreasing clouds Tuesday with a big warmup coming

Clouds will decrease Tuesday in the wake of Monday night’s weak clipper system. Highs will be mostly in the 30s. Much warmer temperatures are ahead for Wednesday and Thursday. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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International Ice Hockey Federation to mandate neck guards after death of Minnesota player

International Ice Hockey Federation to mandate neck guards after death of Minnesota player

The International Ice Hockey Federation is making neck guards mandatory for all levels of competition in the tournaments it runs. That includes the Olympics and men's and women's world championships. 
by The Associated Press

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Medical cannabis lead steps down. Cities searching for funds to tackle 'forever chemicals'

The head of Minnesota's medical cannabis office is stepping down. The move means that the state must now fill two vacancies for top marijuana regulators. And some Minnesota cities are requesting state money to tackle "forever chemicals" in their drinking water supplies.
by Peter Cox

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Strong but 'feminine': how Nikki Haley navigates gender as only woman in the GOP race

Strong but 'feminine': how Nikki Haley navigates gender as only woman in the GOP race

The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations tries to balance her identity as the only woman in the race for the GOP nomination with a Republican electorate that eschews identity politics.
by Sarah McCammon

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As federal debt grows, a bipartisan push for another commission to address it

As federal debt grows, a bipartisan push for another commission to address it

Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., and California Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., say looming benefit cuts and mounting interest payments squeezing federal investments underline need for their plan.
by Deirdre Walsh and Alejandra Marquez Janse

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Black Americans expect to face racism in the doctor's office, survey finds

Black Americans expect to face racism in the doctor's office, survey finds

For many people of color in this country, a visit to the doctor means being extra careful about their appearance in the hope to be treated fairly during the appointment.
by Maria Godoy

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AP reporter who investigates federal prisons discusses Chauvin stabbing

AP reporter who investigates federal prisons discusses Chauvin stabbing

Nearly one year before former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was stabbed 22 times by a fellow inmate at a federal prison in Arizona, the Associated Press published its latest update in its years-long investigation into the Federal Bureau of Prisons. AP reporter Michael Sisak, one of the journalists who conducted the investigation, spoke to All Things Considered host Tom Crann on Monday.
by Tom Crann and Heidi Raschke

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3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

3 key facts about RSV and kids this season in Minnesota

Last year was one of the worst in recent Minnesota history for RSV infections and hospitalizations. This season has been much more manageable, although numbers are rising and health officials are keeping close watch on the data. Here’s what to know.
by Kyra Miles

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Want to qualify for free college? Start with FAFSA, which comes out in December

Want to qualify for free college? Start with FAFSA, which comes out in December

Minnesotans looking to pursue higher education in 2024 are facing big changes with the rollout of a new FAFSA, expanded access to financial aid, and new, statewide free-tuition programs for some Native Americans and lower-income students. 
by Feven Gerezgiher

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Cities grapple with costs of removing PFAS from drinking water

Cities grapple with costs of removing PFAS from drinking water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new, enforceable limits on some PFAS that are much lower than the state’s current advisory limits. If they’re adopted, about a dozen Minnesota cities likely will need to install treatment systems or find a new water source.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Former U.S. ambassador charged with being an agent for Cuba

Former U.S. ambassador charged with being an agent for Cuba

Victor Manuel Rocha was a State Department employee for more than 20 years. Prosecutors say during that time and in the 20 years since, he acted as an illegal agent for Cuba.
by Greg Allen

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Moriarty: No evidence of police wrongdoing in Khalil Azad's drowning

Moriarty: No evidence of police wrongdoing in Khalil Azad's drowning

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said Monday that there is no evidence of law enforcement wrongdoing in the death of a young Black man found dead in Crystal Lake after a police chase last year.
by Matt Sepic

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