Stories from January 31, 2025

Army withholds name of Black Hawk helicopter crew in D.C. crash, 2 others identified
At the request of the family, the Army is not going to release the name of the female member of the Black Hawk crew killed in Wednesday's crash. The withholding of the name is a highly unusual move.
As the impasse in the Minnesota House drags on, Republicans say they'll up the pressure on Democrats, who have so far boycotted the session. It's shaping up to be a snowy weekend across the northern half of Minnesota, especially along the North Shore.
Charges filed after player assaulted during basketball game at Robbinsdale Cooper High School
Charges have been filed after a high school basketball player was assaulted and seriously injured during a game in the Twin Cities earlier this week. Authorities say the victim was struck on the head with a tire-iron.
Politics Friday: Democrats seek a new leader with Minnesota’s DFL party chair
MPR News politics editor and host Brian Bakst and his guests talk about the Democratic National Committee’s election of a new party chair and the Minnesotan who’s campaigning for the job. Later, a conversation with newly elected Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash.
Twin Cities theaters launch wave of new productions midwinter
As Minnesota nears midwinter, Twin Cities theaters are launching a wave of new productions, including premieres like "Milo Imagines the World" at the Children’s Theatre Company and "School Pictures" at Theater Latté Da, as well as familiar contemporary works and classic favorites like "Grease" at Chanhassen Dinner Theaters and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Guthrie.
In her new memoir, Sarah Hoover offers an unflinching take on the first year of motherhood
Sarah Hoover holds nothing back in her memoir, “The Motherload,” which grapples with the rage and disassociation she felt after the birth of her first child.
Unrivaled set to crown 1-on-1 champion with $250,000 given to winner
Unrivaled will crown its first one-on-one champion on Feb. 14. The new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced the rules for the tournament that will be played over three days. Thirty players will be divided into four pods with the eventual champion winning $250,000.
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin is viewed as one of the top contenders to lead the national Democratic Party and will face a key test tomorrow. Republicans filed a lawsuit with the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking to move a stalled session forward. 
41 bodies recovered from D.C. plane crash site as search continues. Here's what to know
Video footage of the incident shows the aircraft flying at a low altitude, before an explosion happened at the moment of impact. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Iriafen and Watkins lead No. 4 Southern California to 82-69 victory over Minnesota
Kiki Iriafen scored 23 points, JuJu Watkins added 20 and fourth-ranked Southern California led the entire game to defeat Minnesota 82-69 and extend its winning streak to 15 games. 
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points in the Timberwolves‘ 138-113 victory over the Jazz
Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the third quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Utah Jazz 138-113 on Thursday for their fifth straight victory and second in two nights. 
Job Interview: This man keeps skiers on the slopes, even when nature doesn’t cooperate
Even when there’s little snow in Minnesota, ski hills around the state will find a way to keep their doors open. Thomas Sticha explains what it’s like to make and groom snow in this segment of Job Interview.
Local activists call for Target boycott after the Minneapolis-based retailer rolled back DEI initiatives
Target announced last week that it would end its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and investments. Protesters called for a national boycott of Target during a rally Thursday in front of the offices of the Minneapolis-based retailer.
Flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough down, norovirus still up
The good news? Flu, COVID-19, RSV and whooping cough are all on the decline in Minnesota. The bad news? Norovirus case counts have climbed this month, and lagging COVID-19 reveals the highest weekly mortality count in 11 months.