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Stories from December 19, 2024

Funerals set for teacher and student killed in Wisconsin school shooting

Funerals set for teacher and student killed in Wisconsin school shooting

The funerals for 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara and 42-year-old Erin West were announced in obituaries published Wednesday and Thursday. Police have been investigating what motivated the 15-year-old shooter. 
by The Associated Press

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House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain

House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain

With a resounding no, the House rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s new plan Thursday to fund federal operations and suspend the debt ceiling a day before a government shutdown, as Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to accommodate his sudden demands.
by The Associated Press

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Snow totals over half-foot in parts of Minnesota. State reports strong job numbers

Minneapolis and Saint Paul have declared snow emergencies due to the snow with special parking rules going into effect at 9 p.m. Thursday. Snow totals by afternoon totaled 7 inches at New Prague in southern Minnesota, as well as at Holt in the northwest. Also, the state increased the size of the labor force with more workers taking jobs. Wages in Minnesota outpaced the rate of inflation.
by Emily Reese

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November proves strong month for Minnesota job market despite slight unemployment uptick

November proves strong month for Minnesota job market despite slight unemployment uptick

Four supersectors gained jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, led by strong gains in construction. That’s according to new monthly jobs numbers released by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
by Clay Masters

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Thank You, Stranger: ‘Every single second I have with them is a gift’

Thank You, Stranger: ‘Every single second I have with them is a gift’

In our series Thank You, Stranger, we hear about small acts of kindness that have a big impact. This time, MPR News producer Ellen Finn talks with New Brighton’s Elizabeth Naylor about a last trip with her son, who is nicknamed “G.”
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Arctic Cat to cease operations at Thief River Falls, St. Cloud plants

Arctic Cat to cease operations at Thief River Falls, St. Cloud plants

The iconic Minnesota maker of snowmobiles and other outdoor vehicles, says it will suspend manufacturing at its facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud next year. A company spokesperson said the actions are difficult but necessary to reduce costs, due to challenging business conditions in the powersports industry.
by MPR News Staff

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Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal charge that’s eligible for death penalty

Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal charge that’s eligible for death penalty

The man arrested in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO is being held without bail after a New York federal court appearance on charges including a death-eligible murder count.
by The Associated Press

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How much snow has fallen in Minnesota?

How much snow has fallen in Minnesota?

A quick burst of snow has painted our brown landscape into a winter wonderland. The clipper system will keep moving southeast. After a brief lull in snowfall, wraparound snow showers may bring another 1 to 2 inches along with blowing winds.
by Mandy Thalhuber, Nina Moini and Ellie Roth

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Wisconsin school shooter had 2 guns and got messages from man accused of plotting his own attack

Wisconsin school shooter had 2 guns and got messages from man accused of plotting his own attack

Police say the shooter who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin this week brought two guns to the school. The 15-year-old girl also was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building.
by The Associated Press

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Donald Trump said he wants to ban trans athletes from competing. The reality is more nuanced

Donald Trump said he wants to ban trans athletes from competing. The reality is more nuanced

President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promise to ‘ban’ transgender athletes struck a chord with voters. It’s uncertain, however, what exactly Trump will do once his second term begins in January. 
by The Associated Press

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Morning Announcements for Dec. 19

Morning Announcements for Dec. 19

Here are the morning announcements for Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
by MPR News Staff

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Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing expected to appear at hearing on extradition to New York

Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing expected to appear at hearing on extradition to New York

The suspect charged with shooting to death a health insurance company chief executive on a Manhattan street is being taken to hearings on related Pennsylvania criminal charges and efforts to extradite him to New York.
by The Associated Press

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Nonprofit solves decades-old mystery, IDs remains found in vacant St. Paul building

Nonprofit solves decades-old mystery, IDs remains found in vacant St. Paul building

The body was found frozen in February 1985 in the former headquarters of the Great Northern Railroad at Wall Street and Kellogg Boulevard. It’s now the Great Northern Lofts. The man, who was believed to have been homeless, died from exposure, possibly weeks or months before he was found.
by MPR News Staff

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For airports, background music no longer is an afterthought

For airports, background music no longer is an afterthought

Background music is no longer an afterthought at many airports. Some are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travelers’ moods. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport features live musicians every day, and Nashville International Airport has five stages that host more than 800 performances a year.
by The Associated Press

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Dozens of men are found guilty in mass rape case of French woman drugged by her husband

Dozens of men are found guilty in mass rape case of French woman drugged by her husband

A French court found dozens of men guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot, whose then-husband repeatedly drugged her unconscious over the course of a decade. Her ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
by Eleanor Beardsley

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Winter storm brings snow. St. Paul schools to select new superintendent

The weather will be top of mind for many of us Thursday. There is a winter storm warning in place from northwestern Minnesota running southeast through east-central Minnesota. There is winter weather advisory for just about everywhere else.
by Phil Picardi

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After losing VP bid, Walz searches for role in pushing back against Trump

After losing VP bid, Walz searches for role in pushing back against Trump

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz saw his national profile skyrocket when he became Vice President Harris’ running mate. Now, he’s back home figuring out when he will push back or work with Republicans.
by Clay Masters

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About 10,000 Amazon workers authorize plan to strike Thursday

About 10,000 Amazon workers authorize plan to strike Thursday

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said workers in Atlanta, New York City, California and Illinois plan to join the picket line.
by Ayana Archie

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Biden set an ambitious new climate goal. Will it still matter under Trump?

Biden set an ambitious new climate goal. Will it still matter under Trump?

The Biden administration set a new climate goal for the U.S. The White House argues states, cities and corporations will continue the work, even as Trump plans to exit the Paris climate agreement.
by Jeff Brady

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Snow continues Thursday; chillier Friday and Saturday

Snow continues Thursday; chillier Friday and Saturday

Snow will continue much of Thursday for most of the state with the heaviest falling in the morning hours. Colder air moves in Thursday night before milder air returns next week. 
by Sven Sundgaard

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Snow causing difficult travel across Minnesota, snow emergencies issued for Minneapolis and St. Paul

Snow causing difficult travel across Minnesota, snow emergencies issued for Minneapolis and St. Paul

Steady snow that started falling overnight continued Thursday across a wide swath of Minnesota, causing difficult travel. Many school districts closed or sent students home early. Some cities — including Minneapolis and St. Paul — have declared snow emergencies.
by Andrew Krueger and Peter Cox

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St. Paul schools set to pick next superintendent

St. Paul schools set to pick next superintendent

Three finalists finished interviews with the school board, which is expected to announce its decision Thursday night. Brenda Cassellius, Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed and Stacie Stanley all have experience running school systems.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Wisconsin school shooter had 2 handguns, used only 1 in attack that killed student, teacher

Wisconsin school shooter had 2 handguns, used only 1 in attack that killed student, teacher

A Wisconsin police chief says the shooter at a religious school in Madison had two handguns with her but used only one in the attack that killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others. 
by The Associated Press

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