The St. Paul teachers union announced Monday its members will strike starting March 11 unless a deal is reached on a new contract. The 10-day countdown until a possible walk out begins. The union says it is doing everything in its power to reach a settlement with the district and avoid a strike.

Also, schools were closed and residents were asked to limit water use through the morning in the northwestern Minnesota town of Hawley, after a massive fire overnight.

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