We’re looking back on 2021 at Minnesota Now, and Thursday, we turned our attention to news from the world of higher education. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with young journalists from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, the University of Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State University-Moorhead about the top stories on college campuses around Minnesota this year.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

The ban, which takes effect Thursday, covers 12 northern Minnesota counties, and comes in response to chronic wasting disease found in two northern Minnesota locations this year. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 30, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

CDC COVID recommendations continue to stoke debate in Minnesota and the grim annual record for homicides in St. Paul continues to grow. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

The omicron variant continues to make headlines worldwide, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has loosened guidelines for isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. For more on how all this is affecting the pandemic in Minnesota, host Cathy Wurzer was joined by MPR News reporter Catharine Richert.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

Authorities charged Daniel Eugene Johnson of Austin in June with four misdemeanors, including remaining in a restricted building. Now the 29-year-old is facing a new felony count of interfering with U.S. Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 insurrection. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minnesota health care workers welcome shorter COVID isolation, and the state announces nearly $50 million in additional federal COVID aid is coming from Washington. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

As 2021 ends, Minnesota Now is reexamining the year through the eyes of key Minnesota newsmakers. On Tuesday, host Cathy Wurzer spoke with JaNaé Bates, one of the community organizers who worked with Yes 4 Minneapolis in support of the policing and public safety charter amendment that ultimately did not pass in November.

Theme music by Gary Meister.

The state’s most recent numbers also show there have been 50,000 confirmed hospitalizations since the pandemic began. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

COVID cases pass the 1 million mark in Minnesota, and proposed natural gas and electicity rate increases are poised to kick in for many utility customers across the state. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

As omicron surges and we wait to see the impact of holiday travel on COVID-19 case numbers, MDH infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann joined host Cathy Wurzer with the latest on the pandemic in Minnesota.

Theme music by Gary Meister.