Feb. 2, 2022

Minnesota Capitol leaders want the Southwest Light Rail Line audited but differ over whether to halt construction.

The line connecting Minneapolis and the southwest suburbs is years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of dollars beyond initial estimates. The Met Council recently put more money in.

Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders of both parties said that an exhaustive audit is necessary. Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says that’s just a start. DFL Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen backs an audit but not a project suspension.

The project will be a hot topic this legislative session.

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Minneapolis police kill man while serving search warrant

Minneapolis SWAT officers serving search warrants Wednesday morning connected to a St. Paul homicide encountered a man with a handgun as they entered a downtown apartment. An officer shot and killed him, the city’s interim police chief said.

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: State on recovery road from omicron wave

Key metrics tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota are all trending down, although rates of new cases and hospitalizations remain high.

Police: 5-student dispute led to 1 killed, 2 injured outside Richfield school

Richfield’s police chief on Wednesday described it as an altercation that spilled onto the sidewalk outside South Education Center and led to the deadly shooting. Two teens have been arrested. Charges are expected by Thursday.

Richfield shooting prompts lawmakers to pledge cooperation on public safety

Minnesota state government leaders say this week's fatal shooting outside of a Richfield school was a tragedy and further reason to make public safety a top priority for the 2022 legislative session. But the divided Legislature has competing proposals.

Flash thaws Saturday and next week, but a colder than average February overall?

Get ready for another Minnesota roller coaster ride. Thursday starts subzero again. Temps soar above the thawing point by Saturday afternoon in southern Minnesota.

Hennepin sheriff says he won't seek reelection following drunken crash

Sheriff David Hutchinson was facing calls from Gov. Tim Walz and others to resign after driving drunk at high speeds and crashing his official SUV in December.

Federal trial delayed as one of the three ex-cops tests positive for COVID

The federal trial in St. Paul of three former Minneapolis police officers was interrupted on Wednesday morning after the judge overseeing the case announced that one of the defendants had tested positive for COVID-19. The three are charged in federal court with violating George Floyd’s civil rights.

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Study: Waves from wakeboats need more distance from shore to reduce size, power

The sport of wakesurfing has been growing in popularity on Minnesota lakes, sparking concerns about shoreline erosion and other impacts.

Jensen tops GOP straw poll, and 2021 fundraising

Former state Sen. Scott Jensen bested a field of half a dozen Republicans running for governor in a straw poll of precinct caucus-goers Tuesday night. He also raised more money than his GOP rivals in 2021.

A doctor answers questions on kid vaccines, natural immunity, omicron symptoms

Vaccines for the youngest among us may be on the way while confusion remains around natural immunity, omicron and more. Dr. Melanie Swift of Mayo Clinic has answers to more of your pandeimc questions.

‘Take back life’: More nations ease coronavirus restrictions

Many countries that have been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus are easing their tough and often unpopular restrictive measures to fight COVID-19.

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