Morning Edition

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Morning Edition, with Cathy Wurzer in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, brings you all the news from overnight and the information you need to start your day. Listen from 4 to 9 a.m. every weekday.

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Young Vietnamese church group spreads vibrant culture of lion dancing in Twin Cities
To celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon, Minneapolis-based DTG Lions have been performing lion dancing, a traditional form of dance where two dancers move in sync to mimic a lion.
Canterbury Park CEO talks horse racing as sports betting legalization goes before legislature
Legalizing sports betting is again going before Minnesota lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session. Canterbury Park CEO Randy Sampson joined Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition to talk about the future of gambling on horse races.
Art Hounds: Flamenco, sculpture and Indigenous writing
Art Hounds look at “The Conference of the Birds” from Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, art by Martin Gonzales and an Indigenous Writer Series in Duluth.
 Wind and solar energy producers frustrated by connection delays, congestion in power grid
Across Minnesota, solar and wind companies are building new facilities to generate green energy. However, many are frustrated by long delays in getting connected to the power grid, and then when they do, many find they cannot operate at full capacity because the grid cannot handle it. 
On the cusp of a contentious election year, Ely finds new ways to talk about divisive issues
The northern Minnesota town has long been the epicenter of the state’s conflict around mining and the environment. Now, though, there’s a renewed effort in Ely to restart a civil discussion around long-standing divisions.
Groundhog Day marks middle of winter and sees a repeat of unusual warmth
Almost 30 years ago to the date, Tower set a state record for the coldest day in Minnesota, making it more than 90 degrees below freezing. Now, we’re experiencing the state’s warmest meteorological winter.
New law could mean hurdles for trooper charged in fatal shooting of motorist
Murder, assault and manslaughter charges against a Minnesota State Patrol trooper who fatally shot a motorist last July could test a state law revised in the wake of George Floyd’s killing that aims to force officers to better specify the reasons they used deadly force.
Solar fence stops snow and generates electricity
Minnesota uses miles of snow fences to catch blowing snow before it drifts onto roadways in a typical winter. At a one-of-a-kind test site near Moorhead, researchers are finding a year-round use for the snow fence.
Minnesota promises equity in cannabis businesses licensing, but is it enough to repair past harms?
The Office of Cannabis Management eventually wants 381 licensed dispensaries and has committed to giving at least 51 percent of those licenses to social equity applicants — people who’ve been disproportionately harmed by past marijuana laws.