MetroTransit train goes off the rails in downtown Minneapolis

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - MetroTransit train goes off the rails in downtown Minneapolis: A light-rail train has jumped the tracks in downtown Minneapolis, prompting Metro Transit to [curtail service between U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field.]( - Army vet accuses Franken of cupping her breast during 2003 USO tour: CNN reports [a fifth woman has accused DFL Sen. Al Franken of unwanted touching](. Stephanie Kemplin, 41, of Maineville, Ohio, alleges that Franken groped her in December 2003, while she was deployed in Kuwait, cupping her breast during a photo opportunity. In Garrison Keillor’s hometown of Anoka, [news of his abrupt firing Wednesday]( over sexual harassment charges was stirring up “very turbulent feelings,” as one resident put it. In a since-deleted Facebook post, the 75-year-old humorist [seemed more hurt, resigned and defensive than apologetic](. You can [read Keillor's full email to the Star Tribune here.]( House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., [called on Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., to resign Thursday](, describing allegations of sexual harassment by multiple former aides as "credible" and "disappointing." - St. Paul police release images, description of SUV that hit bicyclist and sped away: [Police have released surveillance images]( showing an SUV and a bicyclist seconds before the vehicle ran a red light, hitting and gravely injuring the rider late at night in a well-traveled St. Paul intersection. The SUV is a Hyundai Santa Fe, ranging in model year from 2008 to 2010. The driver remains a fugitive. - County attorneys in Minnesota sue opioid manufacturers: [About a half-dozen county attorneys across the state]( announced lawsuits Thursday against opioid manufacturers and distributors, partly blaming the companies for the addiction crisis sweeping the nation. - White House plan would replace Tillerson with CIA chief: The White House has [developed a plan to force out Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson](, whose relationship with President Donald Trump has been strained, and replace him with Mike Pompeo, the CIA director, within the next several weeks, senior administration officials said Thursday. - Senate tax bill appears headed for passage: Senate Republicans on Thursday pushed ahead on a sweeping revamp of the nation's tax code, with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing confidence of final passage by week's end and [a key Republican getting on board.]( The New York Times reports [the bill could have far-reaching ramifications]( that "reshape major areas of American life, from education to health care." - Def Jam founder Russell Simmons steps down from companies amid allegations: "Rachel Getting Married" screenwriter Jenny Lumet [wrote an essay published by The Hollywood Reporter]( on Thursday in which she recalled a night around 1991 when Simmons took her to his New York apartment and had sex with her, despite her repeated demands that he stop. Former "Today" show host Matt Lauer, fired for sexual misconduct, [said Thursday that repairing the damage that he has caused]( is now his full-time job. [Variety]( and [the New York Times]( are reporting several disturbing accusations have been made against Lauer. - Spirit Airlines to launch MSP to Seattle service: The daily seasonal service is [one of 11 new routes the airline is adding]( to its network in 2018. With the new route, Spirit will serve 62 cities across the country. [A scheduling glitch has left American Airlines scrambling]( to find pilots to operate thousands of flights over the busy Christmas holiday period. American isn't saying how many flights are affected, but the pilots' union says that about 15,000 flights were scheduled without a captain, a co-pilot or both. - Autism, sleep apnea added to Minnesota list for medical marijuana: Minnesotans with autism and obstructive sleep apnea [will be able to use medical marijuana]( as of next July to manage their medical conditions. - Minneapolis rock club to close, citing new minimum wage ordinance: Another mainstay of the West Bank music scene in Minneapolis, Whiskey Junction, will close by the end of the year, [and this time there is blame going around.](  Watch this Australian TV host nearly takes an exploding Coke bottle to the face at extremely high velocity: Apparently, when you add liquid nitrogen to soda pop, [it turns the bottle into a rocket](. Obviously, do not try this at home.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Here are the winners of our Holiday Cookie Contest: After carefully evaluating more than 300 entries, [these cookies represent the best of the best.]( - Alamo Drafthouse Cinema coming to Woodbury: y spring, the soon-to-be redeveloped Woodbury Lakes shopping center will boast nine movie theaters, 1,000 recliners, plus [an attached bar and restaurant offering 32 local beers on tap.]( - Meghan Markle descended from English king, genealogist says: Prince Harry's bride-to-be [may have some royal blood after all.]( - Come celebrate a year of great photography with us! Join us at the Minneapolis Institute of Art on Dec. 7 for an exclusive presentation of our 2017 Photos of the Year, along with an in-depth conversation Behind the Lens with award-winning Star Tribune photojournalists Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Lavinsky. [Tickets and more info here.](  Sports roundup - Even at 9-2, Vikings have flaws they hope to fix: Whether because of hard-earned lessons from a 5-0 start followed by a 3-8 finish last year, or because they’ve taken on coach Mike Zimmer’s exacting nature, the Vikings seem in no hurry to tout their Super Bowl credentials at this point. [Not with two critical road games coming up](, a playoff spot still to be clinched and a few weaknesses to upgrade. - Wild bringing back Nate Prosser after claiming him from Blues: The defenseman has spent the bulk of his career with the Wild, skating in 282 career games in parts of eight seasons. This was [the second time the Wild claimed Prosser off waivers]( from the Blues. - "Squandered opportunities" spoil Gophers chances against Miami: The Gophers put on a show Wednesday night, but struggled at times against Miami's balanced attack and [could not claw back from a double-digit deficit.](  Quote of the day “I think I have to leave the country in order to walk around in public and not feel accusing glances.” -- [Garrison Keillor](, former host of "A Prairie Home Companion," in a since-deleted Facebook post following accusations of "inappropriate behavior."  Worth a click In New York City, rats have neighborhoods, too: The Atlantic reports that Fordham graduate student Matthew Combs' research into the genetics of New York's rat population reveals many fascinating things, such as uptown rats and downtown rats don't mix very much. In fact, he says, [different neighborhoods have their own distinct rats](. “If you gave us a rat, we could tell whether it came from the West Village or the East Village,” says Combs. “They’re actually unique little rat neighborhoods.” And the boundaries of rat neighborhoods can fit surprisingly well with human ones.  From the archives Nov. 30, 1988: Big Bird watches Jaclyn Ferro, company manager for "Sesame Street Live," release a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center at the Met Center in Bloomington, where the the larger bird and his friends were appearing. (Photo: Mike Zerby/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]( [twitter]( [google+]( [pinterest]( [instagram]( [tumblr]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2017 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](