Stories from January 11, 2025

USDA report finds Boar's Head listeria outbreak was due to poor sanitation practices
A report released by the Department of Agriculture found that poor sanitation practices at a Boar's Head facility in Virginia contributed to the largest listeria outbreak since 2011. 
Judge who blocked release of Trump report was 'plainly' wrong, special counsel tells appeals court
The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to move swiftly in reversing a judge’s order that had blocked the agency from releasing any part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report on Donald Trump. The Justice Department revealed in a separate filing on Saturday that Smith resigned from the department on Friday after having submitted his Trump report to the attorney general.
Accumulating snow continues into Sunday
A passing clipper system brings accumulating snow this evening into tomorrow. Sunday features falling temperatures and blustery northwest winds and chilly air settles into the region.
Many Democrats don't think they'll see a woman become president, AP-NORC poll finds
An increasing number of Democrats are questioning whether their party’s commitment to diverse candidates, especially women, may lead to more political struggles in the Trump era. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that a significant number of Democrats believe it may be decades before the United States will gets its first female president.
Newly minted All-Pro Justin Jefferson needs a playoff win with the Vikings next on his list of feats
Justin Jefferson has smashed all kinds of NFL receiving records over his first five seasons. He was just voted as an unanimous selection for first team All-Pro. Winning a playoff game with the Minnesota Vikings is the next feat on his list. A performance matching his superstar status would go a long way toward getting that done.
Sam Moore, who sang ‘Soul Man’ in Sam & Dave duo, dies at 89 due to surgery complications
Sam Moore, the surviving half and higher voice of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave that was known for such definitive hits of the era as “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin,’” has died. He was 89.
Milk from Minnesota dairy farms to undergo mandatory testing for bird flu
Avian influenza has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 16 states, including Minnesota, which had nine cases last year. The USDA says the goal of the testing is to gain a clearer picture of the presence of the virus in dairy herds, and help inform response efforts to prevent it from spreading further.
Bomb threats shadowed international reporters who covered Chinese celebrity dissident
Reporters covering a Chinese dissident in Europe were accused of making bomb threats. An NPR investigation now has them wondering if it was the work of the Chinese government or someone else.
Snow to slow weekend travel
Widespread fluffy snow sweeps the region from west to east Saturday into Sunday. Travel may become slow going in the afternoon and evening, particularly along and north of the Interstate 94 corridor.
Is Trump's rhetoric on Greenland, Canada and Panama Canal a 'Madman Strategy'?
The president-elect's undiplomatic talk in recent days of reclaiming the Panama Canal — and annexing Greenland and even Canada — have some experts comparing his strategy to Nixon's "Madman Theory."
Guinness World Records certifies Eagan ice maze as world’s largest
Eagan’s Minnesota Ice Festival is now home to the world’s largest ice maze, according to the Guinness World Records organization. The 18,000-square-foot ice maze was certified in its category during a wintery ceremony Friday at TCO Stadium.
Minnesota hospitals are seeing a surge in visits. It's mostly flu patients, according to the state, but COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are also spiking. Hospitals says it's putting a strain on ICUs and increasing wait times in emergency departments. And a state senator facing burglary charges is requesting to postpone a jury trial until May — after the Minnesota legislative session comes to a close.