MPR News Update

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your Thursday. 

It was a big evening for Minnesota sports. A Twins win and a Cleveland loss secured a spot in the MLB playoffs for Minnesota. And in pro soccer, a thrilling 90th-minute goal sent Minnesota United to its first MLS playoffs ever.

Buckle up: the country’s top spy faces Congress this morning. Joseph Maguire, the acting director of national intelligence, will testify before Congress on “the Ukraine affair,” as NPR reports. It starts at 8 a.m. We’ll carry live video online and you can hear it on the radio.
 
Who says bipartisanship is dead? The House, in a 421-0 vote (two reps voted present), backed a resolution seeking immediate release of the whistleblower complaint regarding President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian leader — which set off all the impeachment talk this week. That reporting is from a nice summary of yesterday’s events from the Washington Post.

All this political news stressing you out? I get it. A new study finds that discussing politics can hurt relationships and personal health. But when the issues are too important to ignore, we need to find ways to cope with the stress. This story dives into the effects and some coping strategies of political stress.

A right-wing site is stoking controversy on race in Chaska schools. MinnPost’s Erin Hinrich’s explains how Alpha News’ video criticizing equity efforts in Eastern Carver County after black students and their families sued the school district for allegedly not responding to racial discrimination.

Tim Walz proposes California’s climate-friendly emissions standards. The governor says the new “clean car” standards would be healthy for our lungs and the environment. One thing standing in the way, though, is the Trump administration, which is battling California in court over the same standards Walz wants here.

The governor says he can’t ban vaping in Minnesota. While Massachusetts' governor banned vape products, Walz says his hands are tied by state law. Ariel Meyers said on Facebook she supports vaping products staying on the market: “It's an alternative to actually smoking and counterfeit cartridges are causing the recent illnesses and deaths."

To get legal cannabis, advocates must weed out the bad ideas. Minnesota’s two marijuana focused political parties are officially major parties, just like the GOP and DFL, and they’re at work finding the best ways to get ready for 2020. 

Are you raising kids in Minnesota? Tell us how’s the school year going. Discuss with some kindred spirits in our Facebook group for parents.

It’s getting frosty, at least meteorologically speaking. A frost advisory was issued at midnight and expires Thursday. Yikes. Possible showers in the northwest and highs will be in the 60s for most of the state. More on Updraft.

— Cody Nelson, MPR News
Here comes the sun: Solar schools project launches in central Minn.
Elizabeth Dunbar | MPR News
The students at Pine River-Backus High School have something that most Minnesota students don’t have — at least not yet: A solar array on school grounds. It’s right behind the football field and track. And it’s huge, for a school solar array.
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Corrections commissioner decides whether to parole four convicted murderers
Brandt Williams | MPR News
Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell will review the life sentences of four convicted murderers on Thursday. One of the men, Isaac Brown, was convicted in the 1981 killing of a Minneapolis police officer.
Tax time already? Experts urge withholding check to head off headaches
Brian Bakst | MPR News
Some Minnesota taxpayers were caught off guard earlier this year because their withholding didn’t keep up with what they owed. Experts say there’s still time to avoid similar problems next year.
What's on the radio today

Note: MPR News will be airing a live House Intelligence Committee hearing beginning at 8 a.m. It will likely run during MPR News with Kerri Miller at 9 a.m., and could run through 1A and MPR News with Angela Davis at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. 


9 a.m. — MPR News with Kerri Miller

Today’s program will be the House Intelligence Committee hearing.

10 a.m. — 1A with Joshua Johnson

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday that Congress would begin a formal impeachment inquiry in response to President Donald Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for aid.

However, this doesn't guarantee that President Trump will be removed from office. First, the House must vote to impeach. Next, a trial takes place in the Senate, culminating in a vote on whether to convict the president.

Political analysts are evaluating different scenarios, trying to determine the likelihood of each possibility.

We take your calls and answer your questions about the impeachment inquiry.

11 a.m. — MPR News with Angela Davis

We’ll have the latest edition of Counter Stories, our regular conversation about race, identity and social justice.

Noon — MPR News Presents

NPR's Here and Now. 

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