Morning Edition, with Cathy Wurzer in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, brings you all the news from overnight and the information you need to start your day. Listen from 4 to 9 a.m. every weekday.
An unprecedented December thunderstorm storm made landfall Wednesday night, bringing unseasonably warm temperatures, severe thunderstorms, and tornado warnings to much of Minnesota. Two tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service — the state’s first December tornadoes on record.
A proposal to reduce prison sentences for felons who commit new offenses while in custody, on probation or supervised release is drawing harsh criticism. Several people — including some politicians — told the sentencing guidelines commission it would be a bad move, especially with reports of violent crime on the rise in the state. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, December 17, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.
Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
This weekend, David Hockney returns to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Not in person, but through an exhibit of well over 100 paintings and prints, many of which are in the museum's collection. The show includes much more than pictures of swimming pools by the prolific artist.
A proposal to reduce prison sentences for felons who commit new offenses while in custody, on probation or supervised release is drawing harsh criticism. Several people — including some politicians — told Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission it would be a bad move, especially with reports of violent crime on the rise.
The National Weather Service has confirmed at least two tornadoes touched down in southern Minnesota on Wednesday night, in Hartland and near Lewiston — the state’s first December tornadoes on record. Power and cleanup crews are working their way in the area a day after the storm.
The latest data suggests the surge from Thanksgiving gatherings is subsiding. Still, the state crossed a difficult milestone Wednesday, tallying more than 10,000 pandemic deaths. Hospitalizations remain high.
Derek Chauvin’s plea means he will not face a federal trial in January, although he could end up spending more years behind bars. In June, Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years on state charges of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s killing.
The city of St. Paul and Ramsey County want to spend $74.5 million to provide more housing options for people making 30 percent of the area median income, or about $31,500 a year for a family of four.
