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Art to evoke a winter’s night — or a warming globe
This week’s Art Hounds recommend “Thermal” a dance, audio and visual art installation at the American Swedish Institute; Open Eye Theatre's “Once Upon a Winter’s Night” with puppets and live music; and “The Dragon Who Liked to Spit Fire” at St. Louis Park’s Sabes Jewish Community Center, bringing a classic picture book to the musical stage.
'Devastating and appalling': Russia-born Minnesotans express outrage at Ukraine invasion
The owner of St. Paul’s Moscow on the Hill restaurant said even after posting a message of solidarity with a photo of a Ukrainian flag on the restaurant’s Facebook page, there was some anti-Russian trolling, including calls to change the restaurant’s name, but far more messages of support.
Audit fever hits Minnesota lawmakers
Dozens of audit requests have been pitched to the Legislative Auditor on topics in the headlines, but the auditor doesn’t have the capacity to tackle most of them.
Bill that bans 'conversion therapy' clears Minn. House committee
DFL lawmakers in the Minnesota House are trying again this year to ban the practice known as conversion therapy, which seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation. A House panel advanced the measure, but its prospects look slim in the Senate.
Operators blame pandemic staff shortages for group home closures
Since the start of the year, a raft of Minnesota group homes serving nearly 60 people have closed. Their operators blame pandemic-related labor shortages and the closures are leaving families facing difficult decisions about how to care for their loved ones, and putting renewed focus on higher pay for long-term care workers.
Report takes aim at CenterPoint’s gains from Texas merger
The Citizens Utility Board is questioning whether Minnesota’s largest natural gas utility should be allowed to recover more than $400 million in costs associated with a February 2021 winter storm.
As budget surplus grows, debate over what to do with it intensifies
Minnesota’s projected budget surplus now tops $9.25 billion — up more than $1.5 billion from the previous estimate. Republicans at the state Capitol say it highlights the need for permanent tax cuts, while DFL Gov. Tim Walz suggested increasing one-time tax rebates and using the surplus to reduce the cost of child care and health care.  
COVID continues to fade in Minnesota
Cases are dropping, tests results are coming back negative and hospitalizations are down.