Stories from February 27, 2024

Organizers of Wednesday’s public memorial service for three Burnsville first responders killed in the line of duty say they’re expecting thousands of law enforcement, firefighting and paramedic personnel to attend.
Congressional leaders hope to avoid a shutdown. But Ukraine aid is still unclear
After tense talks in the Oval Office, congressional leaders said they were hopeful they could reach a deal to avert a partial government shutdown on Friday. But they appeared divided on Ukraine aid.
Cameo is being used for political propaganda — by tricking the stars involved
Lindsay Lohan and other celebrities were tricked into calling for the ouster of Moldova’s president. It’s the latest example of the Cameo app being used for an apparent political propaganda operation.
Why self-immolation has been used by political protesters for decades
Aaron Bushnell’s death in Washington, D.C., is the latest example of an extreme form of protest that people have used to express their grievances and attract the attention of a global audience.
Blizzard warning northwest; a shot of rush hour snow for Twin Cities
Winter is back with a vengeance across Minnesota. Blizzard warnings are up for the Red River Valley. Winter storm warnings cover much of northern Minnesota. The Twin Cities and most of southern Minnesota will get a quick shot of snow through Tuesday evening.
St. Paul based podcast is 'Rewriting the Rules' of youth justice
St. Paul Youth Services originated in the 1970s with programs that were alternatives to juvenile detention. It has since expanded into youth leadership and engagement work. The third season of the organization’s podcast Rewriting the Rules launched in February.
Tackling the nursing home staffing crisis  
Workers at some Minnesota nursing homes have planned a one-day strike next Tuesday. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what it’s like to work in long-term care and why so many nursing homes can’t find enough employees.
Macy's to close 150 stores as sales slip, pivots to luxury at Bloomingdale's and Blue Mercury
Macy’s will close 150 stores over the next three years, 50 by the end of 2024 after posting a fourth quarter loss and declining sales. At the same time the company signaled a pivot to luxury. 
Minnesota weather whiplash: From record highs Monday to snow and school closures Tuesday
After record high temperatures across much of the region on Monday, a winter storm was pummeling parts of northern Minnesota with heavy snow on Tuesday. Some schools and universities canceled classes.
Cold weather set to move into Minnesota. New U of M president selected
Parts of Minnesota are getting winter weather Tuesday. A winter storm warning is in effect with accumulating snow and high winds in northwest and north-central Minnesota. And the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has chosen a University of Michigan administrator to serve as its next president. Dr. Rebecca Cunningham is Michigan's vice president for research and innovation and has worked as an emergency physician.
Twins acquire outfielder Manuel Margot in 3-player trade with Dodgers, who add Kiké Hernández
The Minnesota Twins acquired outfielder Manuel Margot, minor league shortstop Rayne Doncon and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league shortstop Noah Miller. 
Tommy Orange’s ‘Wandering Stars’ is a powerful follow up to ‘There There’
An eloquent indictment of the effects of the massacre, dislocation and forced assimilation of Native Americans, it is also a heartfelt paean to the importance of family and of ancestors’ stories.
A child's dream to 'drive' a space shuttle propels him toward a historic NASA mission
Navy Capt. Victor Glover, who spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station, will be among four astronauts to venture back to the moon for the first time since 1972.
Trump beats Nikki Haley, Joe Biden wins amid protest votes in Michigan primaries
Biden has one remaining challenger, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, who has done little to slow Biden's path to the nomination. Trump has now won six presidential contests for the GOP nomination. His remaining major challenger – former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley – has not won a single contest so far.
Minnesota photographer finds more civility than division in ‘Purpletown’ project
Since the 2020 election, photographer Paul Shambroom has mapped and photographed what he calls “purple towns” — communities where votes for presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump were statistically tied. Even though these communities are evenly divided politically, Shambroom says civility is often high.
Donald Trump appeals $454 million judgment in New York civil fraud case
The former president's lawyers filed notices of appeal Monday asking the state's mid-level appeals court to overturn the Feb. 16 verdict and reverse penalties that threaten Trump's cash reserves.
Nikki Haley tells Minnesota crowd it's time for a new direction in White House race
Nikki Haley’s stop in Minnesota is part of her swing through Super Tuesday states. She’s hunting for her first win in a GOP race that Former President Donald Trump has dominated from the state.
A smuggling arrest is made, 2 years after family froze to death on the Canadian border
A man accused of recruiting the driver in a human smuggling operation has been arrested, more than two years after a family of four from India froze to death trying to enter the U.S. from Canada, authorities said.
Minnesota United finalizes hiring of head coach Eric Ramsay, former Manchester United assistant
Minnesota United finalized the hiring of head coach Eric Ramsay on Monday, one game into the MLS regular season after the unusually drawn-out process of replacing Adrian Heath.
Spring in February: Temperatures soar across southern Minnesota
Temperatures soared into the 60s and even a few 70s across much of southern Minnesota on Monday — a springlike start to what’s shaping up to be a wild weather week across the state.
Biden says there could be a cease-fire in Gaza by Monday. Talks are still ongoing
Negotiators have been trying to reach a deal on a temporary cease-fire to to move hostages held in Gaza out of the territory. President Biden says he's optimistic the cease-fire could begin in a week.