Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos' ex, gives $25 million to Minnesota nonprofits

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos' ex, gives $25 million to Minnesota nonprofits: MacKenzie Scott, an author, philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced Tuesday in ablog postthat she gave away $4.1 billion in the past four months to384 organizations— including [more than $25 million to six based in Minnesota](. It's part of herpledgeto give away a majority of her wealth in her lifetime. - Minnesota to suspend liquor licenses of two businesses for defying COVID-19 order: Lisa Monet Zarza wasn't quite sure what she'd see when she opened her restaurant at 11 a.m. Wednesday in defiance of Gov. Tim Walz's order closing bars and restaurants to indoor dining. But even she admits the hours of crazy, bustling, nonstop full tables at her Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville caught her by surprise. The state acted quickly, issuing a news release Wednesday night saying that it was notifying Alibi Drinkery and Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton that [it intends to suspend their liquor licenses for 60 days](, pending a hearing before an administrative law judge. - Walz loosens restrictions on bars, gyms and youth sports: [Indoor restaurants and bars will stay shut down](, but fitness clubs and other venues will reopen under a new plan by Gov. Tim Walz to limit the spread of COVID-19 and buy time for distribution of vaccine against the infectious disease. [All elementary schools in Minnesota will be allowed to open]( for hybrid or in-person instruction as soon as Jan. 18, if they are able to follow a newly expanded list of COVID-19 safety protocols. [Here's what you need to know about the latest COVID-19 orders](. - For Rep. Dean Phillips, COVID-19 relief talks have been a balancing act: The freshman Democrat has said [he'll withhold his support for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi](without a relief package deal. - Minnesota reports another 83 COVID-19 deaths, but infection rate improves: [Eighty-three more COVID-19 deaths were reported]( in Minnesota on Thursday, contributing to a surge in fatalities from the pandemic that state health officials hope will decline soon amid improving infection and hospitalization rates. See where new cases grew fastest in the last week with [this COVID-19 zip code map.]( - Motorist fatally shot while driving on University Avenue in St. Paul: A man driving on University Avenue in St. Paul was [shot and killed late Wednesday](, bringing the number of homicides in the city this year to 32. The driver, whose name has not been released, called 911 about 10 p.m. to report that he had been hit by gunfire near the intersection of University and Snelling avenues, said police spokesman Steve Linders. - Swedish king says Sweden has failed to protect the elderly: Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf said Thursday [he believes his country has failed to protect the elderly]( in care homes from the effects of the pandemic. His comments followed the conclusions presented Tuesday by an independent commission that looked into Sweden's handling of COVID-19. - Hero medal goes to Minnesota man who died saving 3-year-old son from drowning: A prestigious national hero award is being given to a 31-year-old Minnesotan who jumped into a channel near Detroit Lakes and [saved his 3-year-old son]( only to lose his life in the water. - Debunked COVID-19 myths survive online: From speculation that the coronavirus was created in a lab to hoax cures, an overwhelming amount of false information clung to COVID-19 as it circled the globe in 2020.Public health officials, fact checkers and doctors tried to quash hundreds of rumors in myriad ways. But misinformation around the pandemic has endured as vexingly as the virus itself. And with the U.S., U.K. and Canada rolling out vaccinations this month, [many falsehoods are seeing a resurgence online.]( - YWCA Minneapolis CEO abruptly resigns: Michelle Basham [cited personal reasons for her resignation.]( She started the leadership role in January. WATCH THIS Minnesota sheriff's deputy captures streaking meteor on dashcam: [A meteor that flashed across the east-central Minnesota horizon]( for a few seconds and lit up the sky before sunrise Wednesday was captured on the squad car dashcam of an awe-struck sheriff's deputy. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - The best music from the worst year: A lot of interesting and inspiring albums and singles entered our playlists, and a widespread, albeit hit-and-miss, array of livestreams were available to enjoy, too. [Here's a look back on the musical high points]( of a year we can never forget. - Minnesota filmmaker one of 10 to compete at Sundance festival: It's starting to look like Minnesota is taking over the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.In addition to Minneapolis' Riverview Theater being selected as a remote site for the Jan. 28-Feb. 3 virtual festival, a Minnesota filmmaker has been announced of [one of ten competing for its top prizes.]( - Blue Ox Music Fest bumped to August 2021 with Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves: Typically one of the first festivals of summer for Minnesota and Wisconsin fans, the rootsy Blue Ox Music Fest could still retain that distinction in 2021 as [it tests the return of live music in mid-August]( with a lineup featuring Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves, the Sam Bush Band, Infamous Stringdusters and homegrown hosts Pert Near Sandstone. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Let's be real, Dan Bailey will be the Vikings kicker on Sunday: Coach Mike Zimmer is trying to create drama regarding what he will do, [but the answer seems obvious.]( - St. Thomas reveals first Division I recruiting class: [The Tommies signed 26 players on Wednesday]( for for their first recruiting class after making the move up from NCAA Division III - High school, youth teams can practice Jan. 4, no date set for games: Winter sports for high school and youth teams can hold practice on Jan. 4 with the hope, but no assurance yet, of [playing games again by the middle of January.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK How toxic fumes seep into the air you breathe on planes: "A Times investigation found that vapors from oil and other fluids seep into planes with alarming frequency across all airlines, at times creating chaos and confusion: Flight attendants vomit and pass out. Passengers struggle to breathe. Children get rushed to hospitals. Pilots reach for oxygen masks or gasp for air from opened cockpit windows," [reports Kiera Feldman of the Los Angeles Times.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES Dec. 17, 2018: A window washer cleared dust and grime from skylights in a skyway in downtown Minneapolis. (Photo: Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [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 © 2020 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](