Stories from December 16, 2024

Judge grants Chauvin access to Floyd’s heart tissue, bodily fluids in bid to reverse guilty plea
A federal judge on Monday allowed defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin to examine George Floyd’s heart tissue and bodily fluids as part of the former Minneapolis police officer’s challenge to his federal civil rights conviction.
CWD discovered for 1st time in western Minnesota
A sample taken from a wild adult buck during the opening weekend of this year’s firearms season tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The always-fatal condition has never been detected in that area of the state.
A DFL state lawmaker is appealing a judge's decision to let a lawsuit continue challenging his residency. And construction is underway on a new $32 million military and veterans’ museum next to Camp Ripley near Little Falls.
New Twin Cities program aims to get more food donations to people in need
Nonprofit Food Connect is starting a project in the Twin Cities. The organization transports donations to meal sites and food shelves. It’s meant to keep food out of landfills and make it easier for donation sites to get it.
Trump weighs in on NYC mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago
President-elect Donald Trump told reporters that he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, said the country was “not going to lose” the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey during a freewheeling press conference Monday at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Minneapolis winter bird count delivers thrills on the wing
Birders by the dozens headed outdoors Sunday for the third Minneapolis West Circle Winter Bird Count. While totals are still being tallied, the joy of birding and community was abundant, along with rare finds like the long-eared owl.
Preventing the perils of road rage
Have you noticed how badly some people are driving and the angry responses of other drivers? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how to prevent aggressive driving — one of the leading causes of traffic deaths in Minnesota.
Shovelable snow possible Thursday; temps set to fall
Several systems are set to move across the Upper Midwest this week, providing multiple chances for snowfall just in time for the holiday. Temperatures begin with above-average highs then cool to more seasonable levels and drop again by the end of the week.
Roseville man charged after police pursuit ends in crash, killing one
A Roseville man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing police by car on Friday, ending in a crash that killed another driver. Police attempted to pull him over after his ex-girlfriend reported that he had assaulted and threatened her earlier that day. 
Biden commutes former Last Place on Earth owner’s synthetic drug sales sentence
Jim Carlson, 67, was among the nearly 1,500 people who received commuted sentences. The White House said those receiving a commutation had been serving sentences at home “for at least one year.”
Former FBI informant will plead guilty to lying about phony bribery scheme involving the Bidens
A former FBI informant is set to plead guilty to lying about a phony bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, that became central to a Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.
A trial kicks off Monday in Scott County in a case that could impact control of the Minnesota House of Representatives. And last week, President Joe Biden commuted the federal prison sentences of more than 1,500 people, including some Minnesotans — but not everyone is happy with the decision.
The federal EV tax credit has an uncertain fate. What car shoppers should know
Currently, drivers can get a tax credit worth up to $7,500 for buying or leasing an EV. But the incoming administration promised to roll back those credits, which they consider wasteful spending.
Trump claims a 'massive' mandate, but presidents often overread their victories
There's a long history of presidents claiming that their win means the will of the people is behind their agendas. But elections are rarely full-throated endorsements of a candidate's every policy.
Trial over Minnesota House race that could swing control of chamber focuses on lost ballots
Republicans challenged the election result arguing that a 14-vote margin between the DFL representative who won and his GOP opponent could be made up in a pool of 20 ballots that were accidentally tossed.
New museum aims to tell the stories of Minnesota veterans
The 40,000-square-foot museum, currently under construction next to Camp Ripley near Little Falls, is expected to open in 2026. Visitors will hear the stories of the roles Minnesotans have played in military conflicts from the Civil War to the present day.