Sports

NHL: Utah beats Minnesota 2-1 for season-high 4th straight win
Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the game midway through the third period and the Utah Hockey Club beat the Minnesota Wild 2-1. Guenther beat Marc-Andre Fleury five seconds into a power play for the go-ahead goal. 
Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 5-2, Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle each score 2 goals
Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle each scored two goals and the Minnesota Frost beat the Ottawa Charge 5-2 on Thursday night. Minnesota (3-0-1-0) had two multi-goal scorers for the second straight game after getting a pair of goals from Britta Curl-Salemme and Michela Cava in a 6-3 win over Toronto on Dec. 7.
Towns tears up T-wolves in return with 32 points and 20 rebounds in 133-107 romp by Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 20 rebounds in his return to Minnesota in leading the inspired New York Knicks past the Timberwolves 133-107. Mikal Bridges scored 29 points as the Knicks built a lead as big as 36 points in the third quarter and won for the 12th time in 16 games.
Towns relishes an enjoyable return to Minnesota, from the roar of the crowd to a blowout win
Karl-Anthony Towns needed some extra time to prepare for playing against the team he always figured he’d be with his whole career. The surreal experience of returning to Minnesota was enjoyable from start to finish for Towns.
Arctic Cat to cease operations at Thief River Falls, St. Cloud plants
The iconic Minnesota maker of snowmobiles and other outdoor vehicles, says it will suspend manufacturing at its facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud next year. A company spokesperson said the actions are difficult but necessary to reduce costs, due to challenging business conditions in the powersports industry.
Man pleads guilty to stalking UConn basketball star and Minnesota native Paige Bueckers
A man accused of stalking and harassing UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers has pleaded guilty to a stalking charge. A court clerk said 40-year-old Robert Cole Parmalee received a one-year suspended sentence and three year's probation on Wednesday.
The darker side of the rise of women’s sports: With more visibility comes more online harassment
It’s a cycle female athletes and fans of women’s sports have come to recognize: With the increased and sought-after visibility also comes added scrutiny and, often, harassment and online abuse targeting some players.
The president of the NCAA calls for a ban on 'prop bets' in college sports
As sports betting has spread across the U.S., college athletes have increasingly faced harassment from bettors. A federal ban on wagers that concern individual performances could help, the NCAA says.
Water safety for the kids who need it most
Children of color and children on the autism spectrum are less likely to know how to swim than their peers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about efforts to bring water safety and swim lessons to communities most at risk.