Good morning, Minnesota. Stay lucky on this Friday the 13th.
Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕
WEATHER
☀️ We’ll crawl out of our deep freeze today as the arctic air retreats. After a frigid start, temperatures will be considerably warmer than Thursday though still below normal. Highs will mostly be in the teens.
🌨️We could see a wintry mix of precipitation Friday night into Saturday. Freezing rain, sleet and snow are all possible across southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. Get the latest weather news on Updraft.
In his first interview with MPR News since his vice presidential run, Walz said he still has the “privilege” of serving as Minnesota's governor. He also urged lawmakers to work together in divided government.
Investigators say the clinics made fraudulent Medicaid claims for services that they never provided, and claimed to pay employees who had little or no training or purported to work unusual schedules.
NEWS ROUNDUP
🏫 Minnesota special education costs climbing rapidly as more students qualify for services. The state’s updated budget forecast shows projected spending on special education in Minnesota rising significantly in the coming years. Experts say inflation is to blame. They also point to an increase in students qualifying for services.
🌿 Minnesota cities take different approaches to recreational cannabis market. The Minnesota Legislature set most of the rules about cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana in spring 2023. However, the state left several key decisions within local control, including whether cities can allow more than a set minimum of shops.
🔋 Huge investment in new Midwest powerlines, including electricity ‘superhighway,’ gets approval. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which manages the region’s electric grid, approved a plan for 24 new transmission projects in nine states, including Minnesota. 🎒 Pine City school district to pay $65K to student who was racially harassed. State officials say the Pine City Public Schools violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act by failing to stop the racial harassment of a middle school student during the 2020-21 school year.
🚨 Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show. There’s no indication the suspectwas ever insured by UnitedHealthcare. A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson later confirmed to MPR News that Luigi Mangione was not a member with UnitedHealthcare. 🚛 Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approves state’s first carbon capture pipeline. The project would pipe liquid carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota to sequester it deep underground near Bismarck. The PUC approval Thursday covers a 28-mile pipeline from near Fergus Falls to the North Dakota border.
🎧 Making cookies this season? You might want a few tips from famed cookie extraordinaire ‘Zoe Bakes.’ The holidays are often an excuse to eat more cookies than any other time of year. Many people have family traditions where they gather to make sweet treats. Zoë François may have your next cookie recipe.
