🎧 At 9 a.m., Angela Davis talks about scams and how to be a smarter consumer. We’ll talk about how this kind of fraud has evolved, how scam artists have gotten smarter and why their tricks are getting harder to identify. Find the rest of the MPR News lineup on our website.
⛅Expect partly sunny skies Monday, with areas of freezing fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 20s. Southeast winds up to 5 mph. Get the latest on Updraft.
Despite a significant number of newcomers to office — almost 30 percent — the Legislature isn’t easing into its business.
The first weeks are usually filled with informational hearings: what state agencies do, what are the trend lines in programs, what are gaps that might need addressing. Some of that is happening, but in just the first week there have already been pointed debates and committee votes on a bill to shore up abortion rights, one to speed through $100 million in tax filing deductions and another to put a measure of inflation back into economic forecasting.
Of the express-lane bills, the tax proposal could reach a final vote this week. Gov. Tim Walz’s administration wants it done by Friday if possible to allow for needed updates to income tax filing forms and software.
A Bloomington arts organization is trying to continue with the help of the city council, but its future looks tenuous after a financial meltdown that has ripple effects in the theater community and among patrons.
What else we're watching:
Cousins dominates first half as Vikings beat Bears 29-13. Kirk Cousins threw for 225 yards and a touchdown in the first half and watched the rest of the way as the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings tuned up for the playoffs by beating the Chicago Bears 29-13 on Sunday.
‘Pelican Pete’ takes a trip to make way for dam removal. The iconic concrete and steel statue has stood guard in Pelican Rapids since 1957. It was moved to a temporary perch while the aging dam is replaced with rock rapids, which will allow the Pelican River to flow more naturally.
Grant program to help young Minnesota farmers proves popular. A program to help new and emerging farmers buy land in Minnesota is proving very popular. The Down Payment Assistance Grant Program helps small farmers make a down payment on farmland.
Bolsonaro supporters storm Brazil's Congress, high court. Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed Congress and other buildings in the capital of Brasília on Sunday, calling for the military to take over Brazil's government.
A bright green comet may be visible with the naked eye starting later this month. Comet C/2022 E3 was first spotted last year and will draw nearest to the Earth in early February. The brightness of comets tends to be unpredictable, but astronomers say this one is promising.
A different Dakota is celebrating a national championship nearly two decades after the border-state rivals moved up together to the Division I level. Mark Gronowski threw three touchdowns and ran 51 yards for another score as the South Dakota State Jackrabbits won 45-21 over North Dakota State.
