Good morning, Minnesota. Happy Thursday!

Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕

WEATHER

🌡️ Above-freezing temperatures are expected for Thursday and Friday with increasing cloud cover. High temperatures on Thursday will rise into the 30s, with some areas of the North Shore reaching the 20s.

🥶 An Arctic plunge is on track to sweep across the state Friday, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season. Our temperatures Sunday and Monday will struggle to climb above zero, with wind chills expected at a staggering 25 to 40 below zero.

Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Minnesota’s government branches duel in constitutional clash where courts might have final word

An ugly opening to Minnesota’s legislative session and a campaign season that won’t end is fueling lawsuit after lawsuit. The power struggle at the state Capitol has the legislative and executive branches tied up in the third — the judicial branch. And given the timing, where two key court cases won’t be fully aired until late next week, this clash could last awhile.

To boost kids’ reading, Minnesota schools start to shift the way they teach

Minnesota schools are working to overhaul literacy teaching to comply with a new state statute, the Read Act. A visit to one district shows the hopes and challenges that come with overturning decades of instructional practice.

Walz set to unveil budget Thursday amid Capitol power struggle

Gov. Tim Walz is expected to propose a lower level of spending for the next two-year budget that starts on July 1 as pressure on future state finances builds. He’s scheduled to release his plan at noon Thursday.

NEWS ROUNDUP

👩🏾‍⚖️ Minnesota Supreme Court weighs postponing election crucial to Capitol control. Justices on Wednesday listened to oral arguments and questioned whether voters would be confused, election officials inconvenienced and the district’s residents left without representation if the election was postponed.

📜 After half a century in politics, Biden bids farewell in an Oval Office address. President Biden delivered a farewell speech to the nation from the Oval Office Wednesday night — a chance for him to frame his own legacy one last time before he leaves the White House.

🧊 Art Shanties return to Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Last year’s event was delayed and then closed early due to warm conditions. This year features 20 projects, from puppet melodramas to daily dance parties at noon.

🚨 Fridley schools remain closed after social media threats, teen arrested. Fridley schools canceled classes for a second day Thursday after reports of online threats. Fridley police said they arrested a 13-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon, but more threats have been reported on various social media platforms since then.

🐲 Art Hounds on fabric, dragons and freedom. Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. This week, they recommend fabric collages, dragon-themed theater and photographs on the subject of freedom.

🚓 Ramsey County Attorney charges man who allegedly fired at St. Paul officers during pursuit. Samuel Flowers faces seven other charges — including for first-degree use of deadly force against a police officer, drive-by shooting, fleeing police and illegal possession of a firearm.

⚖️ Frey listed among 175 potential government witnesses in next Feeding Our Future trial. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is on the government’s witness list in the second Feeding Our Future trial. He is not accused of any wrongdoing and a spokesperson said Frey has not received a subpoena to testify.

🪧 Authorities searching for thief who stole Minnesota city's welcome sign. The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office said the large “Welcome to Millville” sign was taken earlier this week. Photos shared by the sheriff’s office show that two wooden posts supporting the sign were cut off, and the sign removed.

📝 Mediators herald Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. Israel says final details are in flux. The three-phase ceasefire deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and it will allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes.

MUST LISTEN

🎧Minnesota ER nurse shares experience with Red Cross at LA shelter for fire victims. Among the 400-plus Red Cross volunteers and employees offering emotional support, food, recovery planning, shelter and financial assistance to people and pets in the Los Angeles area is an ER nurse from Victoria: 25-year-old Ryan Bohara.

🎧 Alan Page’s ‘Baking Up Love’ draws on his joy of baking with his grandchildren. “Baking Up Love” follows a young girl, Esther, who is supposed to bake cupcakes with her mom for an after-school event. When her mother is nowhere to be found, Grandpa (who bears a striking resemblance to the former Vikings player) steps in.

🎧 Listen to today's headlines on our Minnesota Today podcast.

Get tickets today for The Current’s 20th Anniversary Celebration!

Celebrate 20 years of music with The Current on Friday, Jan. 24, at First Avenue! Don’t miss Frank Black of the Pixies perform his solo album “Teenager of the Year” in its entirety with local Minnesota artists she’s green and DJ Jake Rudh opening the night.

Buy tickets now

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