Stories from December 22, 2024

Wintry mix possible for Sunday night; warm week ahead
A clipper system may bring wintry precipitation Sunday night, with a chance of freezing drizzle and light snow continuing into early Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to stay above freezing for the upcoming holiday week.
Review by Senate Democrats finds more unreported luxury trips by Clarence Thomas
A report by Democrats on the Judiciary Committee found additional travel taken in 2021 by Thomas but not reported on his annual financial disclosure, including trips on private jets and a yacht trip.
Goalie Nicole Hensley stars in OT as league-leading Minnesota tops New York in a shootout, 4-3
Nicole Hensley made back-to-back saves in the shootout and the Minnesota Frost earned their fourth straight victory with a 4-3 shootout win over the New York Sirens. It was the fourth time in seven all-time meetings that a game between the teams was decided in OT and the second this season.
Flood gates are dropped from a plan to protect the Jersey Shore’s back bays from catastrophic storms
Huge gates at the mouths of three inlets and barriers across bays are no longer part of a plan to protect New Jersey’s back bays from the type of catastrophic flooding they endured during Superstorm Sandy.
Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South
Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. 
Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, baseball’s stolen base king, has died at 65
Baseball Hall of Famer and stolen base king Rickey Henderson has died. He was 65. Known as baseball’s “Man of Steal,” Henderson had a lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments over his nomadic 25-year career. 
Two U.S. Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent ’friendly fire’ incident
Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down Sunday over the Red Sea in an apparent “friendly fire” incident, the U.S military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in over a year of America targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
German authorities received tipoffs last year about the suspect in Christmas market attack
German authorities say they received tipoffs last year about the suspect in a car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg as more details emerged about the five people killed. Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006.
Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died
Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26.
Connor Hellebuyck nets shutout as Jets rout Wild 5-0
Connor Hellebuyck made 19 saves for his NHL-leading fourth shutout of the season and 41st of his career to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-0 victory Saturday night over the Minnesota Wild, who have lost four in a row.
Curry scores 31, makes 7 3-pointers in Warriors’ 113-103 win over Timberwolves
Steph Curry scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter and 31 for the night as the Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103. Trayce Jackson-Davis had 15 points and nine rebounds.
Max Kepler and Phillies finalize $10 million, 1-year deal
Outfielder Max Kepler and the Philadelphia Phillies have finalized a $10 million, one-year contract. Kepler spent his entire 10-year career with the Minnesota Twins. Over 1,072 games, Kepler is a .237 hitter with 161 home runs and 508 RBIs.
Cars covered in Christmas lights are fun, but police say please don’t drive them
Captured on social media, elaborate car-light displays have turned up on busy avenues, parking lots and rural highways across Minnesota this season. While it can be a visual treat, police say it’s a safety hazard if you’re driving with them on. Here’s a look at what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Warm with partial sunshine; clipper system moves in late tonight
Rising temperatures overnight into Sunday morning will pave the way for a mild day. A clipper system is expected to bring a light mix of snow and freezing drizzle. The upcoming holiday week will remain warm with no travel disruptions anticipated.