| Dec. 20, 2019 Picture-perfect weather for outdoor fun this weekend. Temps and snow conditions across the state this weekend may make your outdoor fun sweeter than a cup of hot cocoa at home. Highs on Saturday will range from the mid-30s in northern Minnesota to mid-40s (yes, 40s!) in some parts further south. The thaw continues into Sunday, when temps across the state hit the upper 30s to mid-40s. If you’re thinking of sledding, snowboarding or cross-country skiing, this is the weekend to do it. Want to get outside but not sure where to go? Check out our Outside in MN app! We also have this collection of maps for great spots for skiing, skating and sledding around the state. Beware! Flu is hitting Minnesota, just in time for the holiday. Winter break is here for schools, but health officials say there will be plenty of other opportunities for the virus to spread at holiday parties and family gatherings. In Scott County, Shakopee West Middle School reported nearly 30 percent of students out with flu-like symptoms earlier this week. ICYMI: The mystery of “why West St. Paul is south of St. Paul” resolved. Look at the map, and what you see is right: West St. Paul is not west of St. Paul. The quick answer: It is to the left of the Mississippi River and hence, it got the west side name, West St. Paul. Can Trump flip Minnesota by increasing voter turnout in rural areas? In 2016, 44 percent of total state votes came from Greater Minnesota, MinnPost reports, where Trump won big time. Among the 61 smallest Minnesota counties, Trump led in 58 counties in the last presidential election, where the turnout averaged only 69 percent -- lower than the statewide turnout of about 75 percent. — Jiwon Choi and Sara Porter, MPR News | 