Good morning, Minnesota. Welcome to Monday.

Here's the latest news from across the state to start your day. ☕

WEATHER

🥶 Below-normal temperatures are gripping the state Monday before things will warm up later this week. Highs will range from the single digits above zero in the south to below-zero highs in the north Monday.

❄️ Unfortunately for snow lovers, we have scant chances at any additional snowfall this week.

Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Bumpier takeoff on tap for Minnesota Legislature’s session opening amid early oaths, election disputes

Democrats and Republicans in the House sparred over an oath-of-office ceremony involving DFL members that happened without public notice and amid doubt over its legitimacy. It comes two days ahead of the formal start to the 2025 session, which has for weeks produced clashes over party control and threats of a potential boycott.

University of Minnesota gets fast-tracked funding to survey wildlife for bird flu

Researchers will work with wildlife rehabilitators, tribal biologists and other partners across the state to collect 9,000 samples from a variety of birds and mammals. The scientists will test the samples to determine whether the live virus is present. They also will analyze the genetic makeup of the viruses, to see whether they are viable and could infect other mammals or birds.

NEWS ROUNDUP

🐮 Milk from Minnesota dairy farms to undergo mandatory testing for bird flu. Avian influenza has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 16 states, including Minnesota, which had nine cases last year. The USDA says the goal is to gain a clearer picture of the presence of the H5N1 virus in dairy herds.

🗽 Red River Valley woman helps immigrants chase the American dream. Fowzia Adde knows inspiration can come from the darkest times. Seven years spent in a refugee camp in Kenya as a teenager fuels her drive to help immigrants succeed in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

🦌 U of M researchers examine preparedness for possibility of CWD jump to humans. One area of concern is for people who eat CWD contaminated venison. Unlike other foods where cooking kills off foodborne pathogens, cooking meat infected with CWD concentrates the disease — making it worse.

🧊 Guinness World Records certifies Eagan ice maze as world’s largest. Eagan’s Minnesota Ice Festival is now home to the world's largest ice maze, according to the Guinness World Records organization. The 18,148.88-square-foot ice maze was certified Friday at TCO Stadium.

🏒 Maggie Flaherty's first goal lifts Frost past Victoire 4-2 as Takeover Tour reaches Denver. The Frost moved into first place in the PWHL with the win in Denver. The game, part of the league's Takeover Tour of potential expansion venues, drew 14,018 fans to set a new U.S. attendance record.

MUST LISTEN

🎧 A Pasadena rabbi and his wife moved to Minnesota. Then their temple burned in LA fires. Kara and John Carrier have been watching the damage from their new home in Minnesota. The couple moved here from Southern California, where John was the rabbi at Pasadena Jewish Temple. The temple burned down this week. Now, the Carriers are helping fundraise so the temple can begin to rebuild.

🎧 ‘If you get there once, you’re very lucky’: Former Viking looks back on three Super Bowls. The Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, but the team and its fans are no strangers to the playoffs. Former Vikings running back Chuck Foreman took us back to the Vikings of the 1970s and looked ahead to the next game.

🎧 Listen to today's headlines on our Minnesota Today podcast.

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