Judge won’t block vaccine mandate for Minnesota health care workers

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Judge won't block vaccine mandate for Minnesota health care workers: A federal judge [won't block a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for scores of Minnesota health care workers](, at least for now. Nearly 200 Minnesota health care workers filed a lawsuit in September challenging the requirement from President Joe Biden's administration that all workers in most health settings get vaccinated or lose their jobs. The workers argued the lack of alternatives infringes on their rights - Accident victims hounded to sell their settlement payments: In part three of the Star Tribune's investigation into a largely unregulated niche of the financial industry, we look at[the lengths firms will go to pressure accident victims into selling their payments](. Through calls, texts, fliers and catchy commercial jingles, these companies persuade accident victims to sell a combined $1 billion worth of legal settlements annually. Many of the sellers have cognitive disabilities, and don't understand how much money they're losing. - Inflation rises 5.4% from a year ago, matching 13-year high: Another surge in consumer prices in September [pushed inflation up 5.4% from where it was a year ago](, matching the highest shift since 2008 as tangled global supply lines continue to create havoc. U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in September from August as the costs of new cars, food, gas, and restaurant meals all jumped. - As park usage surges, Ramsey County leaders say "dawn-to-dusk" rule may no longer make sense: As park usage surges in Minnesota and nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and residents turn to alternative transportation including walking and biking, [Ramsey County leaders are re-examining ordinances that govern parks](, looking at everything from hours to smoking to drone usage and the penalties for breaking the rules. Though it's unlikely they'll go as far as their counterparts overseas — where parks more commonly stay open around the clock — officials say the "dawn-to-dusk" rule may no longer make sense. - Former Proctor football coach says he is a "scapegoat" as investigation continues: Derek Parendo [called allegations that canceled season an "isolated incident."]( - Cousins surprises Vikings' social justice group with $500K gift: On Monday, coach Mike Zimmer said again how Kirk Cousins has been more outspoken as a leader during his fourth season with the Vikings than the quarterback had been during his first three years in Minnesota. Last week, [Cousins made a significant statement with his money.]( - Man who kicked woman in attempt to kill their unborn child sentence to 10 years in prison: A 30-year-old Minneapolis man [has been given a sentence of nearly 16 years](for kicking a woman in the stomach in an attempt to kill their unborn child. Cameron O. Clark was sentenced in Hennepin County District Court last week in connection with the attack on the woman at a north Minneapolis apartment complex on April 16. With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Clark will serve about 10 years of his term in prison and the balance on supervised release. - Minnesota retailers, costume shops fill with buyers for Halloween: [Shoppers started early and haven't let up]( at specialty retailers for Halloween, which has become one of the year's big retail events. - The mysterious wall that holds St. Anthony Falls in place: The Curious Minnesota podcast explores the questions being raised about [a 145-year-old wall located deep beneath the Mississippi River.]( WATCH THIS Man learns answer to age-old question, "Can I pet this warthog?" It turns out that Pumbaa in "The Lion King" [was not a very accurate portrayal of these animals.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Owamni, Sooki & Mimi make New York Times' top restaurants list: This week, the New York Times published a list of "the 50 most vibrant and delicious restaurants" in the country, a mix of established and new eateries that "reflect the rich mosaic of American dining." [Two Minneapolis newcomers made the roster.]( - WIlliam Shatner blasts into space (for real this time): Hollywood's Captain Kirk, 90-year-old William Shatner, blasted into space Wednesday in a convergence of science fiction and science reality, [reaching the final frontier aboard a ship built by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin company](. - Minneapolis singer Libianca advances on "The Voice": [Blake Shelton selected the 20-year-old singer]( over Tommy Edwards after the two contestants performed a duet of "Save Your Tears (Remix)," a song originally recorded by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, who recently joined the hit series as a judge. SPORTS ROUNDUP - St. Thomas football stays competitive, but you can't say the same about MIAC: The Tommies seem to be adjusting to Division I just fine, while the MIAC is ironing out things after taking in new members and making other changes, [writes Patrick Reusse.]( - Troubling Gruden case yet another sign of NFL's broken culture: The NFL's awful hiring history didn't lead to Jon Gruden's behavior, but anyone familiar with the league's homogeneous upper crust shouldn't be surprised views like his are shared within it, [writes La Velle E. Neal III.]( - Vikings show winning ugly in the NFL is still a thing: Vikings fans annoyed by Sunday's game should ask any Lions fan over the past 60 years if [winning ugly beats losing ugly.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK What rising sea levels could look like in cities around the world: CNN uses photo illustrations to show [how rising sea levels could flood well-known locations around the world]( — including Buckingham Palace, the Plaza de la Catedral in Havana, the Santa Monica Pier — as the planet warms. FROM THE ARCHIVES Oct. 13, 2020: Tatum Duell, left, of St. Paul and Savanna Ware of Savage take in the view of the foliage along the Mississippi River near Shadow Falls park in St. Paul. (Photo: Leila Navidi/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 © 2021 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](