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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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.
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.
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.
Minnesota budget surplus tops $9.25 billion
A new forecast shows Minnesota’s budget surplus has grown to $9.25 billion, up from the earlier forecast of more than $7.7 billion.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Surge receding; hospital needs, new cases fall
Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 numbers offer more evidence of a pandemic surge in retreat, with fewer than 600 patients in the hospital now and new daily cases trending at a six-month low.
'Race because you love to race': Jessie Diggins reflects on recent Olympic trip
After a historic performance at the 2022 Beijing Olympic games, Minnesota’s Jessie Diggins became the most decorated cross country skier in U.S. Olympic history. And she’s already back on the road, competing in the World Cup level races in Finland.
Minnesotans with ties to Ukraine feel anxiety, anger over Russian attack
Minnesotans with family ties to Ukraine spent the hours after Russia's invasion of the country working to reach their loved ones. Elected officials across Minnesota’s political spectrum called for a sharp and unified response.
Art Hounds: Works of the heart
Sheri Grube uses painting to manage and speak about living with chronic pain. Rochester Repertory Theatre prepares to stage the play “Silent Sky” about one woman who helped show the world the vastness of the universe. Art Hounds also recommend Matthew French’s new album.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases, ICU needs fall to 6-month lows
Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 numbers offer more evidence of a rapidly receding surge, with fewer than 100 patients in ICUs now and active cases below 10,000, the lowest levels for both since August. Pandemic deaths, however, have now topped 12,000.