The 20 craziest home inspection photos of 2016

To view this email as a web page, [click here] [Star Tribune] Talkers Top stories - The 20 craziest home inspection photos of 2016: The Home Inspector, aka Reuben Saltzman, is back with [his annual list of the funniest, strangest and/or dumbest photos] from the homes of Minnesotans last year. Shine on you crazy diamonds. - U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis to step down in April: [He will be succeeded by Andy Cecere], a 32-year U.S. Bank veteran who became its chief operating officer two years ago at the start of the carefully-orchestrated leadership transition. - Minnesota father sentenced to 20 years for fatally shaking baby who kept him awake: Robert J. Kaiser, of Farming Township, was sentenced in Stearns County District Court last week after [a jury convicted him of second-degree murder of the 2-month-old boy.] - Trump historically unpopular ahead of inauguration, poll finds: After a tumultuous campaign and transition, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office Friday as [the least popular incoming president in at least four decades], but a majority of Americans nevertheless express optimism that he will be able to fulfill campaign pledges to boost the economy and deal with threats of terrorism, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Rep. Keith Ellison announced yesterday that [he will boycott Friday's inauguration ceremony], but several of his Democratic colleagues in Minnesota's congressional delegation say they are planning to be there. Russian President Vladimir Putin [accused the Obama administration of working to undermine Trump] and said those who are spreading fake allegations against the incoming president are "worse than prostitutes." - Trump Cabinet pick invested in company, then introduced a bill to help it: "Rep. Tom Price last year purchased shares in a medical device manufacturer days before introducing legislation that would have directly benefited the company, raising new ethics concerns for Trump's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary," [CNN reports.] The STOCK Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2012, bars members of Congress from trading stocks based on nonpublic information. CNN is also reporting that [Price has not been involved in the Trump team's discussions] about a replacement for Obamacare so that he can be "inoculated from questions" from senators about the plans at his confirmation hearings, which begin tomorrow. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that repealing major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, while leaving other parts in place, [would cost 18 million people their insurance in the first year] and could increase the number of uninsured Americans by 32 million in 10 years, while causing insurance premiums to double over that time. - GM to add jobs, invest in U.S. factories: [General Motors plans to invest $1 billion in U.S. factories] and add thousands of new white-collar jobs, measures that have been in the works for years but were announced Tuesday after criticism from Trump. - Nigeria mistakenly bombs refugee camp, killing more than 100: A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet on a mission against Boko Haram extremists mistakenly bombed a refugee camp Tuesday, [killing more than 100 refugees and wounding aid workers], a Borno state official said. A Red Cross worker said 20 volunteers with the aid group had been killed. - Budweiser State Park, coming soon to the Badger State? The Wall Street Journal reports that [Wisconsin is considering selling naming rights to its state parks] after lawmakers cut funding for the Department of Natural Resources in 2015. - Christopher & Banks dumps CEO: [Directors of Christopher & Banks fired chief executive LuAnn Via], the Plymouth-based women's apparel retailer said Tuesday as it also announced disappointing results during the holiday shopping period. The news sent the company's shares plunging 32 percent in the first half-hour of trading. - Delta adds diversity training for flight crews: [Delta Air Lines will begin diversity training for all of its flight crews] after at least two widely publicized incidents in which passengers said they were discriminated against or treated uncivilly on its flights. - Glen Taylor increases investment in Target Center renovations: The price tag on the Target Center renovations increased to at least $138 million with the addition of [at least $9 million from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx (and Star Tribune) owner], the professional basketball teams announced in a news release Tuesday. Watch this What it's like to survive an avalanche: A snowboarder wearing a GoPro camera was on the slopes at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in British Columbia earlier this month when the snow began to give way and an avalanche quickly sent him tumbling down the mountain. Fortunately for him, he was wearing an inflatable backpack that kept him near the surface and very likely saved his life. [You can see footage of the terrifying moment here]. Be warned, it contains strong language. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com]. Trending - Atmosphere to perform at Palace Theatre's opening night: They were the first act played on 89.3 the Current. They were the first act to put on their own big outdoor festival in recent years. And now, Minneapolis hip-hop vets Atmosphere [will be the first act to perform a public concert] at St. Paul’s newly renovated Palace Theatre on March 10. - Minneapolis poet's song will be performed at Trump inauguration: [“Now We Belong” is a tribute to multiculturalism] that melds University of Minnesota professor Michael Dennis Browne’s lyrics with music by composer John Wykoff of Lee University in Tennessee. It will be performed by the Missouri State University Chorale Friday morning prior to Donald J. Trump taking the oath of office. - Comic Erin Gibson revisits her Michele Bachmann impression: "Throwing Shade," which premieres Tuesday night on TV Land, will introduce a lot of viewers to co-host Erin Gibson. But for those who follow Minnesota politics, or more specifically, Minnesota politicians, [she's a familiar face.] - Scientists say they've found new clues to D.B. Cooper's identity: More than four decades after a well-dressed passenger hijacked a Northwest Orient flight, demanded $200,000 and later escaped by parachuting out of the back of the plane with the ransom money, three amateur scientists think [they may have found evidence that would narrow down the hijacker’s identity] to that of an aerospace engineer or a manager. Sports roundup - Aaron Rodgers' father opens up about family rift: The Rodgers family patriarch revealed in a recent New York Times interview that Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers [has not spoken to his mom, dad and brothers in more than two years.] - Former Vikings wide receiver makes a difference at North High: As the school's athletic director, [Dr. Leo Lewis’ contributions are rarely splashy] but have built a solid foundation for North’s athletic program. His willingness to tackle any job, no matter how small, have freed up his coaches to do what they do best. Lewis makes sure new uniforms are purchased, a workable schedule is created, eligibility requirements are met, facilities are safe and usable, meetings are attended. - Is it safe to go "all-in" on the Wild? [Yes and no, writes Michael Rand.] - Boudreau in tune with Wild players' highs, lows: Boudreau’s handling of players has set a tone of accountability woven through the best first half in team history. His deft touch with in-game adjustments and willingness to ride a hot hand [demonstrate just how much coaching matters.] Quote of the day “People who order such fakes against the U.S. president-elect, fabricate them and use them in political struggle are worse than prostitutes.” -- Russian President [Vladimir Putin], on unverified allegations against President-elect Donald Trump. Worth a click What got better or worse during Obama's presidency? [Here's a fun and educational game from the New York Times] that tests your knowledge of various economic and societal trends over the last eight years. Draw the line on the charts for unemployment rate, deportations, violent crime, etc. and see how your slope stacks up against the actual graph. From the archives Jan. 17, 1992: St. Paul City Council President Bill Wilson talks to preschoolers from Hallie Q. Brown Community Center about the Rev. Martin Luther King during a birthday party in King's honor at St. Paul City Hall. (Photo: Joey McLeister/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook] [twitter] [google+] [pinterest] [instagram] [tumblr] [Sign up for more newsletters] • [Subscribe to Star Tribune] • [Privacy Policy] • [Unsubscribe] This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2015 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.]