Stories from January 17, 2024

A Minnesota judge has ruled the state can move forward with adopting new social studies standards — including ethnic studies — after making a small change. And the U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into the University of Minnesota over allegations of antisemitism on the Twin Cities campus.
Minnesota ice season will be one for the record books
A January cold snap has created new ice on Minnesota lakes after record December warmth created open water on lakes across the state. The shortened ice season fits a long-term trend toward fewer days of frozen lakes across the state.
Lawmakers call for IRS scrutiny of Trump-backed nonprofit that aids Jan. 6 rioters
A nonprofit that supports defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection is facing scrutiny over its political activity. “The IRS should investigate this case immediately,” said one congressman.
James Webb Telescope detects earliest known black hole — it's really big for its age
Data from the James Webb Space Telescope indicate that a galaxy known as GN-z11 has a supermassive black hole at its center — one that’s far more massive than astronomers expected.
Maine court puts decision barring Trump from the state's primary ballot on hold
The Maine Superior Court has sent back the secretary of state’s decision to remove Donald Trump from the presidential primary ballot. The court says it’s waiting on the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in.
What Palestinians in Gaza may fear even more than Israeli bombardment
In the past three months, 2 million Palestinians have been internally displaced by war. Some far-right Israeli officials want them to leave Gaza altogether — evoking the trauma of past displacement.
Three months after a religious decree encouraged the use of donor breastmilk for vulnerable babies, Shukri Jumale is working to spread the word and make breastfeeding more accessible.
New Minnesota prescription drug board gets up and running but expects industry resistance
A new panel established by the state Legislature will soon begin its work to try to make prescription drugs more affordable for Minnesotans. It’s called the Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
'You Only Call When You're in Trouble' is a witty novel to get you through the winter
Stephen McCauley's comic novel offers readers the gift of laughter as well as a more expansive image of what family can be. Book critic Maureen Corrigan says it was a perfect January read.
Getting to Green: One home at a time  
A greener home reduces carbon emissions and can cut energy bills. But how do you get there? MPR News correspondents Dan Kraker and Kirsti Marohn guest host the second of three shows focused on the climate crisis and Minnesota’s energy future.  
A caregiving memoir by Minnesota psychotherapist Emma Nadler explores how to adapt
“The Unlikely Village of Eden” is about learning to adapt when life doesn’t go to plan and how even though 53 million people are caregivers in the U.S., their reality is often ignored.
Overdraft fees could drop to as low as $3 under new Biden proposal
The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3 under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest effort by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.
Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Margaret Chutich says she plans to retire in July after eight years on the state's highest court. And backers of an equal rights amendment to the Minnesota Constitution are hopeful a proposal will come before voters as soon as this fall.
Palace says Kate hospitalized for abdominal surgery. King Charles III to have prostate treatment
Kensington Palace says the Princess of Wales has been hospitalized after undergoing planned abdominal surgery and will remain at The London Clinic for up to two weeks.
ABC News cancels its Republican primary debate due to not having enough participants
ABC News said candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley did not confirm their participation by the deadline. Haley said she wants to face off against either Trump or President Biden in her next debate.
France and Qatar announce a deal to deliver medicine to Israeli hostages in Gaza
France and Qatar said they had brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas to deliver medicine to hostages in Gaza, as well as additional aid to Palestinians in the besieged territory.
Judge largely backs Minnesota’s social studies plan, including ethnic studies
A state administrative law judge on Tuesday OK’d much of the state’s plan to revamp state social studies standards, including new language requiring ethnic studies. The ruling lets the new standards move ahead with some small modifications.