Good morning and happy Friday. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll hit the 40s this weekend. Twin Cities highs for Friday in the lower 30s with nighttime lows around 19. Statewide, there's a chance of light drizzle with highs between the mid 20s and lower 30s. But as meteorologist Paul Huttner notes, it’s just gonna get warmer this weekend. More on Updraft. | Forecast
In International Falls, the last psychiatrist for 100 miles just retired. Alisa Roth reports on the psychiatrist shortages in rural America that can leave many without access to the health care they need. Nearly every county, aside from the Twin Cities and Rochester, has what’s considered a shortage of mental health professionals.
Gov. Tim Walz’s administration is taking action on homelessness. Nearly $5 million in funds will add some 150 shelter beds statewide. An estimated 1,600 Minnesotans don’t have a place to sleep each night — double the number since 2015.
Dems may have the advantage in suburban Minnesota for 2020. Just over half of likely voters say they’ll pick whoever the Democrats field as a presidential candidate, according to a recent poll Caitlin Anderson and J.D. Duggan analyzed for MinnPost.
Why is West St. Paul south of St. Paul? Mike Moen answers that question in the latest edition of Ask a ‘sotan. I’m gonna make you click here to read why, but I will say it has something to do with two rivers. And if you haven’t heard the song made in honor of West St. Paul, here.
If you have any other good questions … pitch them to us for a future edition of Ask a ‘sotan.
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | 