Rep. Ilhan Omar rebuked by Democratic leadership over Israel comments

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Rep. Ilhan Omar rebuked by Democratic leadership over Israel comments: Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar [sparked another round of backlash and scrutiny]( related to her views on Israel after using language condemned as a "hateful trope" in a tweet. The Democratic congresswoman shared a tweet late Sunday on House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy pledging to take "action" in response to her support for movements to boycott and sanction Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. "It’s all about the Benjamin’s baby," she wrote. The use of the line, which comes from a 1997 Puff Daddy song, drew immediate criticism online for conjuring long-held stereotypes about Jewish people and money. - Lake Superior could soon reach record high water level: Experts are predicting higher-than-normal water levels on the Great Lakes this summer, [some of which may set records.]( - Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins the 2020 presidential race: Against a wintry Minneapolis backdrop, [U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced her run for president]( on Sunday with a vow to “heal the heart of our democracy” and an emphasis on her Minnesota roots. By officially joining the fray, Klobuchar enters into competition with a growing roster of Democrats who want to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020. Her speech alternated between personal biography and statements of principle. She argued that her own life and political experience put her in the best position to tackle an ambitious agenda from the White House. [Klobuchar responded to accusations of staff maltreatment]( following her announcement yesterday. [Here are eight things to know about Klobuchar.]( Her Democratic colleague from Massachusetts, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, also [officially joined the presidential race over the weekend](. - Nienstedt probe shows need for bishop reforms, Minnesota Catholics say: Pope Francis will convene a historic clergy sex abuse summit this month, and many Minnesota Catholics are watching to see if it tackles an issue close to home — [what to do about reported misconduct by bishops.]( - Ryan Cos. win over neighbors with scaled-black plan for Ford site: At a recent public hearing, speaker after speaker praised plans by developer Ryan Cos. to [transform the former Ford site in St. Paul]( into a massive new community. The expression of support for the project at the St. Paul Planning Commission was a remarkable turnaround. Some of those speaking were among the residents who had posted yard signs, organized petition drives and even tried renting a billboard to fight the city’s desire to add thousands of residents to their neighborhood. - Plymouth man accused of trying to sell $240K worth of stolen printer ink on eBay: An employee of a Plymouth printer manufacturer allegedly stole more than $240,000 worth of printer ink to sell online, putting an end to [a bizarre scheme that stretched five years](. - Plan to impeach Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax slows down: An effort to launch the impeachment of Virginia's top black elected official was set aside on Monday and Gov. Ralph Northam declared a new "race and equity" agenda for the rest of his tenure, saying he really believes "that things happen for a reason." Revelations of racist behavior and allegations of sexual assault that happened years ago have engulfed Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring. It increasingly appears that all three Democrats will survive the immediate firestorm, but with [deep wounds that threaten their political clout.]( - Fire seriously damages restaurant in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood: [The blaze started before 3 a.m. Saturday]( in the kitchen of Cleveland Wok in the 700 block of Cleveland Avenue, just north of Ford Parkway, said fire arson investigator Joe Blank. No one was in the restaurant at the time, Blank said.  Watch this Herd of elk make daring escape from pack of wolves: Dramatic footage from Yellowstone National Park late last month shows how [elk take advantage of their antlers, their speed and deep snow]( to outmaneuver chasing wolves.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Women rule the Grammys: A year after the Recording Academy’s CEO said women need to “step up” when he was criticized for not having enough female winners on camera, the 61st annual Grammys [showed plenty of love for women](. The first hour was front-loaded with female performers — Camila Cabello, Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monáe and Dolly Parton, accompanied by Katy Perry, Maren Morris, the coed Little Big Town and Miley Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter. And the last hour of the 3¾-hour ceremonies belonged to Musgraves, whose “Golden Hour” was named album of the year. - From Eagles to Elton, classic songs are packing boomers into Twin Cities nightspots: Don’t think Elvis impersonators or heavy-metal dudes in wigs and Spandex. This new wave of tribute shows is [a classy celebration of classic songs](, whether it’s the Eagles, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra or a night devoted to one-hit wonders. These aren’t dive bars or pickup joints, either. Fans are paying $40 a seat and filling posh sit-down venues. - 7 Minnesota-made beverages may change the way you drink: Hard seltzer isn’t the only alternative to beer and wine. An increasing number of Minnesota companies are [quenching drinkers’ thirst for unusual beverages]( with alcoholic and nonalcoholic elixirs.  Sports roundup - Jake Sullivan still has a shot: Mental illness tormented him as a teenager. He was trapped in misery, even as he became one of the most prolific scorers in Minnesota high school basketball history. [But Sullivan eventually found what had been missing]( for so many years. Hope. - 10 free agents who could improve the Vikings' offensive line: The best offensive linemen typically don’t become available, but there are more than a handful of probable unrestricted free agents [who could intrigue the Vikings.]( - Vonn ends skiing career in fabulous fashion on a perfect day: There was no way Lindsey Vonn was going home without a medal. It was a bronze in the downhill, but [it was just as good as gold.](  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Quote of the day “Yes, I can be tough, and yes, I can push people. I know that. [...] I have high expectations for myself, I have high expectations for the people that work for me, I have high expectations for this country.” -- [U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar](, D-Minn., addressing accusations that she mistreated her staff after announcing her bid for the presidency Sunday in Minneapolis.  Worth a click A princess vanishes. A video offers alarming clues. "Like the young women who have fled Saudi Arabia’s restrictive regime, Sheikha Latifa has made sure no one can forget how few freedoms are allotted to women in the Middle East’s most conservative societies — or how costly crossing Dubai’s ruler can be," [the New York Times reports.](  Trivia winner Congratulations to Barb Kritzman! Barb was randomly selected from among the readers who correctly answered that Budweiser was the beer brand under fire from the corn lobby for its Super Bowl commercials. She wins a Star Tribune travel mug. Be sure to check back Friday for another trivia question!  From the archives Feb. 11, 1994: Judge Richard Spicer, also known as "Judge Happy," joined 92 couples in marriage during KQRS Radio's 3rd Annual Multiple Matrimony was held at Mall of America. 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