Stories from April 1, 2024

First ‘saltie’ arrives in Duluth, marking start of the 2024 shipping season
The first oceangoing vessel of the 2024 shipping season, the “Barbro G,” sailed into the port of Duluth-Superior just before noon Monday morning, marking the traditional opening of the Great Lakes shipping season in the Twin Ports.
Advisory panel narrows field for two Minnesota Supreme Court justice seats
A merit selection panel advanced six candidates for the seats due to come open in coming months. Gov. Tim Walz will have the final say on which two candidates will be appointed to the court.
Justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court are again being asked to decide when people with felony records can regain voting rights. And a federal judge has approved 3M's $10 billion settlement with drinking water suppliers over "forever chemicals."
Trump's social media stock tumbles, erasing early gains
Stock in the parent company of former president Donald Trump's social media platform sank on Monday, after the company reported losing $58 million last year. That erased last week's market gains.
Birria tacos and fried Oreos: See Target Field’s new foods and drinks for 2024
On Monday the Minnesota Twins debuted their new foods and beverages for the season. MPR News was front row to document all the new grub available for the team’s 15th year at Target Field (RIP the Metrodome).
Court gives final approval to 3M ‘forever chemicals’ settlement
A federal judge has approved 3M’s more-than-$10 billion settlement with drinking water suppliers over contamination from so-called “forever chemicals.” The settlement resolves class-action lawsuits.
Northeast Minneapolis lizard sculpture smashed in car crash
A beloved northeast Minneapolis sculpture took a hit this weekend when a car drove off the road and crashed into it. “Lizard Lounge” dwells on the lawn of East Side Neighborhood Services. The Minneapolis Police Department said a car crashed into the sculpture just before 3 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Inside Minnesota Supreme Court oral arguments over felon voting law
For the second time in recent years, the Minnesota Supreme Court is examining laws that dictate when people convicted of felonies are allowed back in the voting booth.
St. Paul’s 1 percent sales tax bump has started. Here’s what’s changing first
The city of St. Paul’s new 1 percent sales tax increase began Monday, raising the total county, state and local sales tax to nearly 10 percent — the highest in Minnesota. As residents adjust to a cost bump on nonessentials, they can expect construction signs in the coming months, too.
Minnesota journalist featured in ‘Quiet on Set,’ bombshell docuseries on alleged abuse at Nickelodeon
Rick Ellis is the founder of the online publication “All Your Screens.” His reporting on Nickelodeon studios landed him on the new docuseries “Quiet on Set.”
Inside the classroom: Early-career teachers and paraprofessionals
MPR News host Angela Davis talks to teachers who are just starting their careers. What does teaching a classroom look like today? What’s changed from years ago? What’s still the same?
Duluth’s ‘Cheerio Challenge’ gathers over 800 boxes, raises $50K
Duluth residents have collected more than 800 boxes of Cheerios and raised over $50,000 for area food shelves, a viral response to the ongoing Cargill controversy on Duluth’s Park Point.
ACA health insurance plans are being switched without enrollees’ OK
Rogue insurance agents access consumer information on the Affordable Care Act federal marketplace and make the changes. Policyholders can lose their doctors and end up owing back taxes.
A government proposal to kill a half-million owls sparks controversy
A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to kill some 470,000 owls over 30 years to protect other owl species has prompted conservationists and animal welfare advocates to weigh the consequences.
Officers, suspect injured during weekend standoff in Burnsville
Two police officers and a suspect were injured during a standoff in Burnsville over the weekend. Authorities said the two officers had minor injuries. The female suspect sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 
‘Literacy is not just about words’: Music director responds to potential cuts by MPS
One of the programs on Minneapolis’ potential chopping block is fifth grade band and orchestra. Reed Wixson, director of bands and orchestras at Minneapolis Southwest High School, helped create the universal music program.
Some homes in Woodbury were evacuated for several hours early Monday after a person with a weapon reportedly barricaded himself inside a home. Just after 6:30 a.m., Woodbury police said the person had been taken into custody.
5 tips for not getting tricked online this April Fools' Day — and beyond
It's always smart to keep your guard up online, especially on April Fools' Day. Experts in misinformation and news literacy offer steps you can take to avoid getting fooled, and not just on Monday.
Leif Enger’s ‘cheerful refusal’ to accept despair infuses his new dystopian adventure novel
Duluth author Leif Enger’s dystopian novel “I Cheerfully Refuse” is set in and around an alternative Duluth where many of the things Minnesotans take for granted have just stopped working. It’s an adventure story with a bass-playing housepainter at its center, who is forced to take off in a sailboat across Lake Superior after a brush with evil.
Voting law affecting thousands back before Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota’s highest court will determine whether a state law restoring the right to roughly 55,000 people should remain in place or be struck due to constitutional concerns.
‘No timeline’ to recover 4 bodies after Baltimore bridge collapse, as cleanup begins
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the recovery operation "complex" after a ship smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Officials have not given estimates on when the river will reopen to traffic.
DeRozan, Caruso light it up as Bulls knock off Timberwolves 109-101
DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and eight assists and Alex Caruso added 21 points on a season-high seven 3-pointers as the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-101 on Sunday.