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Minnesota Freedom Fund switches focus from cash bail to policy
A nonprofit that seeks to end cash bail in Minnesota said Wednesday that it’ll no longer post bail for people who are in pretrial detention. The Minnesota Freedom Fund says it’s shifting its focus from helping individual clients to education and legislative advocacy.
Medtronic lays off employees at Coon Rapids research lab
An employee who works at the lab confirmed the layoffs.  He said about 20 people were let go this morning, and he was laid off later in the day. 
Republicans voice concern over Trump‘s support for a new Air Force One from Qatar
In a rare break with the president, some inside the GOP are expressing concern over the potential national security risks of accepting a luxury Boeing 747 jet from Qatar to replace Air Force One.
DHS ends Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan, raising concerns for Minnesota’s Afghan community
The status allows people fleeing violence, political unrest and instability temporary protection from deportation and immediate work permits. The Department of Homeland Security says Afghanistan is becoming safer and the country no longer meets the requirements, but some community advocates disagree.
NASA rover spies the first aurora at Mars that's visible to the human eye
NASA's Perseverance rover has detected the first aurora at Mars that's visible to the human eye. That's good news for future astronauts who can savor the view on the red planet. European and U.S. scientists reported Wednesday that the green aurora in the dusty Martian sky was generated by a solar storm and had three days' advance notice last year to set aside viewing time. 
Buttigieg presses an anti-Trump message in Iowa and demands Democrats make their agenda clear
Pete Buttigieg returned to Iowa with some messages about what’s changed since he ran in the state’s 2020 Democratic presidential caucuses. President Joe Biden's transportation secretary gave a critique Tuesday of President Donald Trump’s administration while demanding that Democrats make their agenda clear and reach out to people who disagree with them.
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on so-called forever chemicals in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency says it will roll back limits on several types of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water. The agency, however, will keep limits on the two most common types, called PFOA and PFOS, although it will offer a two-year deadline extension for utilities to comply.
Trump administration’s universal flu vaccine project puzzles scientists
The Trump administration has launched a $500 million project to develop a universal flu vaccine that won’t need yearly updates. But vaccine experts are mystified by its focus on a dated technology.
ESPN’s new streaming app could replace cable for some but may end up costing them more
ESPN says its long-anticipated subscription plan will cost $29.99 a month. An analyst says that, combined with subscriptions to other stream services, could drive the cost up to the price of cable packages.