MPR News Update
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Good morning and welcome to the weekend. Here’s what you need to know to start it.


A foggy, cloudy morning before snow and freezing drizzle. In the Twin Cities, highs in the lower 30s during the day and lows in the mid-20s with 5 to 10 mph winds at night. Statewide, up to an inch of snow possible with highs between the mid-20s and lower 30s. Nighttime lows 18 to 24. More on Updraft. | Forecast


Researchers have a hunch for why middle-income people are seeing higher rent. More high-income folks are renting, which, according to a new Harvard study, can make for lower vacancy rates and higher housing costs. The report’s main takeaway: Minnesota has seen a significant increase of middle-income people who pay more than 30 percent of their income for rent. As Marty Moylan reports, that’s a quarter of Twin Cities households making between $45,000 and $75,000.


There’s a catch to Xcel Energy’s transition away from coal. The utility plans to replace a coal plant with a natural gas plant, which is drawing criticism from environmentalists. In addition to climate change concerns, Kirsti Marohn reports that consumer advocates worry the natural gas plants could become a financial liability in the future.


Amy Klobuchar is ready to make her final pitch to Iowans. Before the state has its first-in-the-nation caucuses on Monday, the Minnesota senator has a major campaign blitz planned over the weekend. As Mark Zdechlik reports, Klobuchar’s events are getting bigger and some voters, both undecided and previously committed, are moving to Team Klobo.


Gov. Tim Walz will be on MPR News today. Do you have a question for him? #AskMPRnews


Cody Nelson, MPR News
U.S. advises against travel to China over virus outbreak
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak sparked by a new virus in China that has spread to more than a dozen countries a global emergency after the number of cases spiked more than tenfold in a week. 
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Trump trial could end soon; Alexander says no to witnesses
Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee will oppose calling more witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial, all but dashing Democratic efforts to hear more testimony and boosting odds the Senate will vote to acquit Trump as early as Friday.
State regulators to hear public comments on Line 3 pipeline project once again
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the project, which would replace an aging Enbridge Energy oil pipeline across northern Minnesota, in June 2018. But last summer, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the project first needed a revised environmental study in order to move forward. On Friday, the PUC will hear public comments on the new study.
After a life in pictures, Mia painting curator Patrick Noon retires
After leading the Minneapolis Institute of Art's paintings department for 22 years, Patrick Noon retires Friday. He has guided the department through two building expansions and acquired some 200 paintings for the museum’s collection.
Judge finds Nobles County's policy on ICE holds violated law
A judge in southern Minnesota says the Nobles County Sheriff's Office can't keep jail inmates in custody for immigration officials after those inmates are eligible for release in state cases.
A new form of northern lights discovered in Finland – by amateur sky watchers
It was the members of a Facebook group who noted that the auroras they'd seen didn't look like any that had been previously cataloged. So physicists asked them to take a few carefully timed photos.
What's on the radio today?
9 a.m. — MPR News with Kerri Miller

Loneliness has risen as a top issue, especially in recent years, for public health officials both nationally and on a global scale. We consider what loneliness looks like in our lives and its effects on our physical and mental health. Chris Farrell guest hosts.

10 a.m. —  1A

A mass evacuation starts as the coronavirus spreads beyond China. Europe says goodbye to Britain. And did Jared Kushner's peace plan include picking a fight with the Palestinians? Catch up on all that's been happening around the world on the Friday news roundup.

11 a.m. — MPR News with Angela Davis

On this edition of Politics Friday, Gov. Tim Walz sits down with political editor Mike Mulcahy to talk about his priorities ahead of the 2020 legislative session.

12 p.m. — MPR News Presents

Live NPR coverage of the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump.
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