Stories from December 5, 2024

The search for the gunman who fatally shot a Minnesota corporate executive continues today in New York City. And the Minneapolis City Council fell one vote short of overriding Mayor Jacob Frey's veto of a labor standards board.
Photos: For St. Paul’s homeless, 12 hours of emergency warmth at the law enforcement center
As winds howled and temperatures crashed, Ramsey County opened the lobby of its St. Paul law enforcement center overnight Wednesday into Thursday for unsheltered people to escape the bitter cold. MPR News spoke to some of those who needed a warm place to stay.
Hegseth faces senators' concerns not only about his behavior but also his views on women in combat
Minnesotan Pete Hegseth has spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Defense in the wake of high-profile allegations about excessive drinking and sexual assault.
Instead of spending money on Black Friday, Northfield teen spreads gratitude
Nika Hirsch was 6 years old when her dad was diagnosed with cancer. She asked her mom why people went crazy for Black Friday instead of giving back during Thanksgiving. So she took it upon herself to do 100 good deeds, which later became a global effort of kindness.
‘I’m standing with my people:’ South Korean Minnesotan watches political chaos unfold from afar
SeungGyeong Ji is from South Korea and currently an instructor at the University of Minnesota. She shared her reaction after South Korea’s president declared martial law.
Historic images of Native Americans by a Swiss artist find their way back to North Dakota
More than two dozen historic prints that depict Native American life and culture on the Upper Missouri River nearly 200 years ago will soon be more accessible to the public, thanks to a donation. 
Hennepin County jails meet state deadline to reduce inmate population
State regulators ordered the reduction after finding that the facility had failed to meet minimum staffing requirements, creating conditions that pose an “imminent risk of life-threatening harm or serious physical injury” to inmates.
Talking Sense: Coming together to solve tough problems
Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh help people find consensus on how to solve divisive issues, ranging from prison reform to what art should hang in the Minnesota Capitol. Learn how they do it in this MPR News Talking Sense conversation hosted by MPR News correspondent Catharine Richert.
New York City authorities report no new details in the shooting death Wednesday of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. And Minneapolis City Council Member Emily Koski has announced she’s running for mayor.
Another chilly Thursday with warming temperatures into the weekend
High pressure settling into the region will bring clear skies and bright arctic sunshine for Thursday. Temperatures will climb into the upper teens, though wind chills will remain in the single digits, before a significant warmup arrives this weekend.
Julius Randle scores 20 points as Timberwolves cruise to 108-80 victory over Clippers
Julius Randle scored 16 of his 20 points in the first quarter, Anthony Edwards added 16 and the Minnesota Timberwolves rolled to a 108-80 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Police release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO
Two law enforcement officials say a masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies on a Manhattan sidewalk used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose." 
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are bringing Trump’s DOGE to Capitol Hill
The leaders of the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” are calling for large-scale layoffs of federal workers and the elimination of some federal agencies during Trump's second term.
‘A symbol of home’ — A new theft tour at the Judy Garland Museum as the ruby slippers go to auction
The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids is hosting Ruby Slipper Theft Guided Tours detailing the infamous 2005 theft of the iconic “Wizard of Oz” shoes, as the museum prepares to bid for their return at a high-profile auction, hoping to bring them back to Judy Garland’s hometown as a tribute to her legacy.
Minneapolis City Council pushes back George Floyd Square construction
The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to delay a plan for street construction at George Floyd Square, the intersection on the city’s south side where a Minneapolis police officer murdered Floyd in 2020. Instead, the council opted to consider a pedestrian-only plaza.