Stories from December 2, 2024

Roller coaster temperatures with light snow showers this week
Cloudy skies and persistent northwest winds will persist until a shift to southerly winds ushers in warmer temperatures for Tuesday and early Wednesday. Another blast of arctic air will arrive Wednesday, causing temperatures to drop back into the teens, with a chance of light snow.
The trailing candidate in a narrowly decided Minnesota House race is asking a court to declare the seat vacant after 20 ballots were discovered missing. Republican Aaron Paul has formally filed his legal challenge of the November election in the Shakopee area, which resulted in DFL Representative Brad Tabke prevailing by 14 votes. Also, state Sen. Omar Fateh has entered the field of candidates opposing Mayor Jacob Frey who is seeking re-election.
Writer Thoreau warned of brain rot in 1854. Now it's the Oxford Word of 2024
The term brain rot first appeared in Henry David Thoreau's famous “Walden,” according to the Oxford University Press. How did he use it — and what might he have made of its modern meaning?
Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son Hunter
Already reeling from their November defeat at the polls, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden's pardoning of his son for a federal felony conviction — after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who operates above the law.
U of M study finds large investors evict renters at higher rate
Minnesota researchers found eviction rates for single family homes are higher for properties owned by large investors, especially private equity firms. And it finds rentals owned by private equity are concentrated in lower income neighborhoods.
The Hennepin County Jail faces a Thursday deadline to reduce its population amid a staffing shortage. And Ken Martin — Minnesota's top Democratic Party operative — is facing competition from a neighbor to become the chair of the Democratic National Committee. Ben Wikler of Wisconsin announced Sunday he wants to become the chair of the DNC.
Recess appointments could put Trump at odds with conservatives on the Supreme Court
Republicans will control the White House and both chambers of Congress come January. But President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to nominate loyalists to fill key Cabinet posts has set up a possible confrontation with the Senate, which has the constitutional responsibility for “advice and consent” on presidential nominees. 
Crash prevention technology shows 'huge potential,' but the roadmap is up for debate
Nearly all new cars now come with automatic emergency braking and other safety features. Researchers say these systems are saving lives, but there's still debate about how to make them better.
After years of delays, revived taconite mine offers new economic hope on Minnesota’s Iron Range
Mesabi Metallics — a controversial project that’s been in the works for more than two decades and could be the first new taconite mine in Minnesota in nearly 50 years — is once again bringing hopes of economic revival to the Iron Range.
For this Minnesota living history teacher, the past is never dead
Arn Kind turned his passion for the past into a second career making history entertaining and educational in school classrooms and small town libraries across Minnesota. From Vikings to the voyageurs to Vietnam, he delivers lessons like few others.
Minnesota Frost fall to New York Sirens in PWHL season opener
Alex Carpenter scored two goals, including the winner just 19 seconds into overtime, No. 1 overall draft pick Sarah Fillier had two assists in her PWHL debut and the New York Sirens beat the Minnesota Frost 4-3 on Sunday night in the season opener for both teams.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.