The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting over 40 outbreaks of norovirus so far this month. This is almost two times more than the usual number of outbreaks that occur in December.

Addressing Medicaid fraud is the focus of a new position in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, amid cases of alleged overbilling for substance abuse treatment service.

This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

About 21,000 public employees in Minnesota may soon be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. On Saturday, the U.S. Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act. If signed by President Joe Biden, the bill would allow police officers, letter carriers, firefighters and other public employees to receive a public pension and Social Security benefits.

And NewRange Copper Nickel has wrapped up work on a $20 million salvage operation at its facility in northeastern Minnesota as the company continues to prepare for a possible mine.

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Twenty years after first proposed, NewRange still vying to build Minnesota’s first copper mine

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In a ruling critical to Minnesota House control, a Democrat elected in November is barred from taking office after a court order in Ramsey County. Also, if you’re a fan of the snow that fell across much of the region this week, make sure to get out and savor it this weekend. Warmer weather is in the forecast for next week.

This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

The weather will be top of mind for many of us Thursday. There is a winter storm warning in place from northwestern Minnesota running southeast through east-central Minnesota. There is winter weather advisory for just about everywhere else. Some schools across the state are closed or on delayed schedules.

Minnesota’s second largest school district is set to select a new superintendent Thursday. St. Paul school leaders have narrowed their options to three candidates. All are women of color. 

And in sports, Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Target Center Thursday night. The former Timberwolves star was traded to the New York Knicks just before the season started. 

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul have declared snow emergencies due to the snow with special parking rules going into effect at 9 p.m. Thursday. Snow totals by afternoon totaled 7 inches at New Prague in southern Minnesota, as well as at Holt in the northwest. Also, the state increased the size of the labor force with more workers taking jobs. Wages in Minnesota outpaced the rate of inflation.

This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

The weather will be top of mind for many of us Thursday. There is a winter storm warning in place from northwestern Minnesota running southeast through east-central Minnesota. There is winter weather advisory for just about everywhere else. Some schools across the state are closed or on delayed schedules.

Minnesota’s second largest school district is set to select a new superintendent Thursday. St. Paul school leaders have narrowed their options to three candidates. All are women of color. 

And in sports, Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Target Center Thursday night. The former Timberwolves star was traded to the New York Knicks just before the season started. 

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Winter storm warnings are now in place for much of northern and central Minnesota —including the Twin Cities — from late Wednesday through Thursday. A storm system may drop more than half-foot of snow on parts of the state. The warnings stretch from the Red River Valley south and east to Saint Cloud, Duluth and the metro area. Also, Minnesota taxpayers eligible for a child tax credit can opt for advance payments beginning next year.

This is the MPR News evening update, hosted by Emily Reese. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Two Minnesota Democrats will be taking leadership positions on agriculture committees in Washington.

And voters who backed DFL Representative Brad Tabke testified today amid an election lawsuit.

Those stories and more in today’s evening update. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Electoral College members meet Tuesday at the State Capitol and at sites across the U.S. to cast the final votes in the presidential election. 

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips gave farewell remarks to Congress on the House floor Monday.  The 3rd Congressional District Democrat did not seek reelection. Phillips unsuccessfully sought his party's presidential nomination earlier this year.

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

Read the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

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A judge has sentenced a southeast Minnesota man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing his estranged partner. Family and friends tearfully remembered Madeline Kingsbury in a Winona County courtroom Tuesday during Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing.

And Minnesota took part in the ceremonial casting of Electoral College votes on Tuesday.

This is a MPR News morning update, hosted by Phil Picardi. Music by Gary Meister.

Find these headlines and more at mprnews.org.

‘Pure evil’: Madeline Kingsbury’s family, friends decry abuse that led to her murder

Adam Fravel sentenced to life in prison for murdering Madeline Kingsbury

‘An irreplaceable feeling’: Formerly incarcerated advocate votes in Electoral College

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