Stories from January 8, 2025

State Supreme Court tosses suit tied to Minneapolis teachers of color and layoffs
Minnesota’s high court on Wednesday turned aside a lawsuit alleging Minneapolis schools racially discriminate against white teachers to protect teachers of color, overturning an earlier ruling by the state appeals court.
Ahead of a Minnesota lawmaker's trial on burglary charges, attorneys are going back and forth over whether she can be called "senator" in front of jurors. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing wildfires in Los Angeles County. Crews are battling flames amid a heavy windstorm. Minnesota's Interagency Fire Center has so far not been tapped for help. A spokesperson says California officials will likely look for help from agencies in their region.
Expected guilty plea for man in ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers case postponed due to hospitalization
A hearing where a Minnesota man was expected to plead guilty to hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” has been postponed indefinitely because he's hospitalized.
Minneapolis Police Department welcomes largest class of new hires since George Floyd murder
Eight community service officers and 24 cadets were welcomed in a ceremony, just one day after the department entered into a federally-mandated agreement for police reforms with the U.S. Department of Justice.
What this week's winter wallop means for farmers across Minnesota and the U.S.
In parts of Minnesota, farmers were relieved for a real cold snap that goes deeper in the soil to help kill future pests. In other parts of the state where producers have winter crops, the lack of snow is a great concern.
Can Minnesota lawmakers find common ground on energy issues? Some think so
The balance of power remains uncertain, and it’s not clear how climate actions will fare under a divided state government, but some legislators think the two parties may be able to find bipartisan agreement on some energy issues.
Dangerous winds and fires in southern California
Santa Ana winds are gusting at more than 80 mph early Wednesday combined with low relative humidity, creating elevated fire danger. Fires and smoke have spread throughout southern California.
One last chilly day Wednesday with two snow chances ahead
Temperatures will warm up after Wednesday. We’re looking at two clipper systems to bring at least light snow to the region Thursday and Sunday. 
A new lawsuit aims to stop Minnesota's ban on products that contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” And state regulators modified the permit conditions for a gas pipeline near a pipestone quarry, a site sacred to Indigenous people in the southwestern part of the state.
Anthony Edwards scores 32 and the Timberwolves top the Pelicans 104-97 in Zion Williamson's return
Anthony Edwards highlighted a 32-point performance with seven 3-pointers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-97 on Tuesday night to take some luster off of Zion Williamson's return from a 27-game absence.
Wild come back to beat Blues 6-4 on big saves by Fleury and key goals from Boldy and Middleton
Matt Boldy’s tiebreaking goal early in the third period for the Minnesota Wild completed their comeback from a two-score deficit to beat the St. Louis Blues 6-4 for their fourth straight victory.
The overlaps and differences between the Minneapolis police federal, state consent decrees
The federal consent decree formalizes many policies that the police department put in place when the world’s attention was on Minneapolis after George Floyd’s murder in 2020 that are also in the settlement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Cookware group files lawsuit against Minnesota’s PFAS ban
The Cookware Sustainability Alliance filed the complaint against Katrina Kessler, the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The complaint seeks a declaration that Amara’s Law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, is unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Data transparency and mediation top police reform priorities for Minneapolis consent decree
Major changes are in store for the Minneapolis Police Department. The City Council approved the terms of the federal consent decree yesterday. It follows a similar state-level agreement already in effect.