Stories from March 2, 2024

Record highs on Saturday; warm again Sunday
We have details on Saturday’s record warmth plus a look at possible records on Sunday. Far northwestern Minnesota could see a wintry mix.
Record weekend warmth; temps retreat a bit this coming week
Several locations will set new high temperature records this weekend. Some spots in northwestern Minnesota could see a wintry mix at times.
The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?
Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, the CDC says parents can start treating the virus like other respiratory illnesses. Gone are mandated isolation periods and masking. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children can go back to school when their overall symptoms improve and they’re fever-free for 24 hours without taking medication.
Ask a Bookseller: ‘The Violin Conspiracy’
Aaron Rishel of Friendly City Books in Columbus, Miss., recommends “The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb.
Minnesota braces for potentially severe wildfire season
More than 50 wildfires have already been reported in Minnesota this year. It is an early indication of what could become an especially active spring fire season after a historically warm and dry winter.