Stories from December 24, 2024

Power Pair: This mother-daughter duo builds community in Golden Valley and beyond
We revisit a conversation with Rose McGee, president and founder of the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie organization, and her daughter, Roslyn Harmon, the mayor of Golden Valley, Minn.
Starbucks baristas' 'strike before Christmas' has reached Twin Cities, hundreds of U.S. stores
Starbucks' union says workers are walking off the job at some 300 — out of over 10,000 — stores across the U.S. as contract negotiations falter. The company urges it to return to the bargaining table.
‘Complex Emotions’ on Christmas: The Bad Plus returns for Dakota jazz club residency
Avant-garde jazz outfit Bad Plus will be at Minneapolis' Dakota jazz club Dec. 25-28 to perform old classics as well as songs from their new album, “Complex Emotions,” released in November.
Revisiting mothers, reimagining stories: Lloyd Suh finds connection and meaning in 'The Heart Sellers'
Playwright Lloyd Suh’s “The Heart Sellers” explores friendship, immigration, and the enduring impact of history through the lens of two Asian immigrant women in 1970s America.
Exit interview: The voice of the St. Paul Police Department retires
After a decade as the spokesman for St. Paul Police and 30 years with the department, Sgt. Mike Ernster has retired. His last day on the force was Friday, and he joined Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer for an exit interview.
American Airlines operations up and running again after technical issue grounded U.S. flights
American Airlines flights are cleared to fly after a brief grounding due to systemwide technical issue. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are preparing for the felony burglary trial of DFL State Sen. Nicole Mitchell. And consumer groups and utilities are calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for energy assistance.
Bethlehem is set to mark a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza
Bethlehem is preparing for another somber Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. 
In a year of tough news, these are some of the stories that made us smile in 2024
Whether we were paying attention or not, 2024 was filled with good news. In case you weren't, NPR's member stations have been keeping track. Here are some of the stories that made us smile this year.
Pain, hope, history share the ride as Dakota Exiles commemorate Mankato hangings
A nearly 300-mile journey ends in Mankato this week to mark the 161st anniversary of one of the grimmest chapters in Dakota history, the hanging of 38 men after the U.S.- Dakota War. Riders hope their work will bring more understanding of this history. 
As costs rise, number of Minnesotans losing heat, electricity spikes
The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota, a nonprofit that advocates for utility customers, tracks reported shutoffs. It found utilities disconnected more than 85,000 residential households from either gas or electric services from January through October.