Jan. 8, 2021

Tonight, expect patchy, freezing fog after midnight across much of the state. It'll mostly cloudy over the weekend with highs in the 20s. Warmer temperatures, up to the mid-40s, and more sunshine are expected next week. Find the latest on the Updraft.

The violent clash at the nation’s Capitol has Minnesota officials concerned about the potential for something similar happening in St Paul. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington says that protesters who rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday talked about storming it and that his agency is working with local law enforcement to provide extra security on the Capitol grounds.

Minnesota Democrats in Congress call for removing President Trump from office in the wake of the Capitol insurrection. Rep. Dean Phillips, of the 3rd District, says the best option is for removal under the 25th Amendment, but Trump could also resign, or the House could begin impeachment proceedings. Phillips said he is ready to fulfill his constitutional duty.

In the meantime, Minnesota's Rep. Pete Stauber calls the Capitol incident "unacceptable" and says he is disappointed in Trump. The Republican congressman, however, doesn't support impeaching the president, saying it will only "divide this country and not heal."

In the pandemic news, Minnesota had a somewhat encouraging day in its COVID-19 statistics. The latest data from the state Health Department Friday showed 2,387 new cases and 48 additional deaths -- down from 54 deaths last Friday. The seven-day average also ticked down to 6 percent.

You can get more of the latest news, in just a few minutes, via the Minnesota Today podcast. — Nina Moini | MPR News

Twitter permanently bans President Trump, citing 'risk of further incitement of violence'

Twitter has permanently blocked the @realDonaldTrump account after Trump posted a message that violated the company's rules.

President Trump says:He won't attend Joe Biden's inauguration

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Robbinsdale police officers fatally shoot man with knife

State and county investigators were on the scene of of a fatal shooting by police in Robbinsdale. Police say a man with a knife was shot by officers during a traffic stop Friday morning.

Pelosi, Democrats lay plans for swift Trump impeachment

If President Donald Trump were to be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate, seemingly unlikely, he might also be prevented from ever holding public office again. He would be only the president twice impeached. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also discussed other ways Trump might be forced to resign.

Stauber says he is 'disappointed' in Trump but doesn't support impeachment

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s 8th District, called the Capitol attack “unacceptable,” and said President Trump bears some responsibility for his heated rhetoric ahead of the incident. But the Republican congressman stressed that the tone of politics on both sides needs to “calm down.”

Politics Friday special: Minnesota’s political observers reflect on U.S. Capitol chaos

Where did Minnesota’s congressional delegation land on the tallying of electoral votes? And how are they reacting to the violent mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday? MPR News politics editor Mike Mulcahy was joined by two Democratic members of Minnesota's congressional delegation , Sen. Tina Smith and Rep. Dean Phillips, and two former Republican governors, Arne Carlson and Tim Pawlenty for a special Politics Friday call-in show.

Dakota County prosecutor James Backstrom to retire

After more than three decades as Dakota County attorney, Backstrom told staffers Friday morning that he plans to retire next month. “You judge your career by your efforts to pursue justice in a fair and impartial way with integrity. In that regard, I’m always going to hold my head up high,” the outgoing county attorney says.

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