MPR News AM Update
 
Watch for snow showers to develop in northern and western Minnesota through the day Friday. Snow will expand statewide Saturday. Most of Minnesota will see accumulations with the heaviest along the North Shore. Get the latest weather news on Updraft.

Coming up on Morning Edition:  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently told state agencies to address nitrate in southeast Minnesota's drinking water. One state lawmaker says farmers should pay more for the fertilizer they apply to their crops — a major source of nitrate contamination. Kirsti Marohn reports.

Coming up at 11 a.m.:  This year, Big Books and Bold Ideas is introducing an occasional series that will feature books on democracy. That series begins Friday as we mark the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection. To gain context, we invited three historians and authors from different regions of the country to reflect on this American moment.
 
Lawmaker: Raise fertilizer fees to help pay cost of nitrate pollution

Southeast Minnesota is particularly vulnerable to nitrate contamination because of its karst geology, which allows pollutants to travel easily from the surface to the groundwater. In some townships, 40 percent of private wells tested had nitrate levels higher than the safe health limit.

Consuming too much nitrate can pose health risks, including a rare but sometimes fatal condition in infants known as blue baby syndrome.

In November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told state agencies to take additional steps to address nitrate contamination in southeast Minnesota, including providing safe drinking water immediately to residents with contaminated wells.
 
Warmer weather puts freeze on Minnesota’s outdoor winter events

Minnesota is the land of what seems like 10,000 ice and winter festivals. But this year, the ice ain’t so nice.

In addition to the cancellation of the John Beargrease Sled Dog marathon and the Minnesota Ice Festival, many outdoor January events and festivals across the state have had to delay or adapt because of a historically warm and snow-free winter.
 
What else we're watching:

Twin Cities lawyer suspended for forging client's signature, urging another to skip court. The Minnesota Supreme Court has suspended the law license of Michael B. Padden and is considering whether to disbar him after a judge found that Padden mismanaged and misappropriated client funds.

Listen: Thank You, Stranger: A memorial tattoo, a car and a cosmic coincidence. Becky Gilbert was looking for a tattoo artist for a tattoo to memorialize her grandmother,  and she got much more than she bargained for. 

Cube Critics discuss docuseries about cults. Alex V. Cipolle and Nina Moini look at documentaries “Escaping Twin Flames,” “Desperately Seeking Soulmate” and “Love Has Won.”

Respiratory illnesses are on the rise after the holidays. In most U.S. states, respiratory illness levels are currently considered “high” or “very high,” according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Mint releases new commemorative coins honoring Harriet Tubman. The designs featured on the coins honor Tubman's life and her work as an abolitionist and social activist.  The coins include $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar coins.

— Sam Stroozas and Anna Haecherl, MPR News


SPONSOR

 
 
Connect With Us




Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe today.
MPR News

Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe

You received this email because you subscribed or it was sent to you by a friend.

This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101