Stories from December 11, 2023

Fargo authorities earlier Monday afternoon asked for the public’s help finding Cayne Liske who was last seen in South Fargo. Police said later Monday the boy had been located and is safe.
New Minneapolis schools superintendent gets pay bump over predecessors
Lisa Sayles-Adams would earn $107,423 through June, then $266,000, $271,000 and $276,000 in each of the next three school years under the contract the board is expected to OK on Tuesday. The board is also set to rename Patrick Henry High to Camden High.
Vikings coach: ‘Good chance‘ Justin Jefferson can play Saturday in Cincy
Jefferson left Sunday’s game in the second quarter to a chest injury. It was his first game back after missing the previous seven because of a hamstring injury. He may be back in time for Saturday.
Minneapolis gives renters more rights when signing pre-lease agreements for new buildings
In response to construction delays at Identity Dinkytown displacing hundreds of U of M students, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a new law that adds protections for pre-leasers dealing with move-in delays.
A Minneapolis man was released from prison Monday, nearly two decades after he was convicted of murder. A judge vacated his conviction. That story and more in the Minnesota Today evening update. Hosted by Nina Moini. Music by Gary Meister.
Texas woman who sued state for abortion travels out of state for procedure instead
Kate Cox, a 31-year-old woman from the Dallas area who had sued the state of Texas for access to an abortion, has left the state to get the procedure, according to her lawyers.
Holiday season helps COVID-19 spread, older Minnesotans feeling increase in cases
Susan Kline is an infectious disease doctor with University of Minnesota and M Health Fairview. She says older Minnesotans are feeling the increase in cases the most. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about the COVID trends heading into the holidays.
Jewish student groups celebrate Hanukkah at University of Minnesota
A community Hanukkah celebration was held Sunday night at the University of Minnesota to light the menorah in recognition of the fourth day of the holiday. The event was put together by Jewish student groups, Minnesota Hillel and Chabad of the University of Minnesota.
Judge vacates Marvin Haynes’ nearly 20-year-old murder conviction
A judge Monday vacated the murder conviction of a Minneapolis man serving life in prison for a 2004 killing. Marvin Haynes, 36, was sentenced for the murder of Harry “Randy” Sherer at Jerry’s Flower Shop in Minneapolis. Haynes was 16 at the time.
In Booker-winning 'Prophet Song,' the world ends slowly and then all at once
The relentless bleakness of Paul Lynch's novel make it almost unbearable to read at times — yet its plausibility, and echoes of real events happening long after, keeps the reader from looking away.
‘Science needs you’: The need for a diverse workforce in STEM fields
Women have made profound contributions to science that have reshaped the world. Listen black to a conversation MPR News host Angela Davis had with Minnesota scientists Bridgette Shannon and Jayshree Seth about what it’s like to be a woman in the science field — overcoming barriers and finding success in research and individual careers. 
High Court, in declining to weigh conversion therapy ban, allows law to stand
In doing so, the court left standing a lower court decision that upheld the state's ban on a therapy that the American Medical Association says "is not based on medical and scientific evidence."
Milder Monday followed by a cold front Monday night with more warmth ahead
Monday will be briefly milder with sunshine. Light snow is possible Monday night in northern Minnesota. A cold front brings chillier air Tuesday, then it’s back to very mild weather midweek into the weekend. 
The first of three units at the Sherco coal-fired power plant in Becker will shut down at the end of the month. And Philip Davis, prime minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, will give the annual Eugene McCarthy lecture at St. John’s University Monday night.
Gustavsson gets 2nd shutout of the season as Wild hand Kraken 8th straight loss with 3-0 win
Filip Gustavsson stopped 24 shots for his second shutout of the season, and the Minnesota Wild beat Seattle 3-0 to hand the Kraken their eighth straight loss. Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Joel Eriksson Ek scored for Minnesota, which improved to 5-2-0 since John Hynes replaced the fired Dean Evason as coach on Nov. 27.
Trump says he won't testify as planned in his civil fraud trial
In a post on his social media site, former President Donald Trump said he had no more to say about the case, and lashed out at New York's attorney general and the judge presiding over his case.
Supreme Courts in 3 states will hear cases about abortion access this week
Supreme court justices in Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming will hear arguments in cases that will impact abortion access across the Mountain West. Here's what to know.
From crayons to Capitol advocacy, a Minnesota flag enthusiast nears moment of triumph
Lee Herold was preaching good flag design long before anyone was even listening. Now, a state commission is about to choose a new Minnesota state flag. Herold, who owns a flag store in Rochester, said he's glad everyone is finally taking flag design seriously.
Minnesota farmers want help fending off voracious deer
Farmers across the state want the Department of Natural Resources to do more to curb damage from large herds of white-tailed deer. A DNR official said it would be difficult for the state to compensate farmers for all wildlife losses. But agency staff are drafting regulatory proposals to address the deer problem that they could unveil during the upcoming legislative session.