Minnesota authors land on list of 850 books targeted by Texas lawmaker as "distressing" for students

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minnesota authors land on list of 850 books targeted by Texas lawmaker as "distressing" for students: They include Macalester Prof. Duchess Harris, who expressed "deep concerns" about [the investigation into Texas school districts having books]( that deal with race, sexuality and other issues. - Minnesota voters head to polls in historic off-year election: Polls are open, as voters in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other communities around the state [cast their ballots in a historic municipal election](, the first since George Floyd was killed by police last year. In Minneapolis, voters reported a steady stream of people at some city polling places, where residents are voting for mayor, all 13 City Council seats, the Park Board and the Board of Estimate & Taxation. They are also deciding three ballot measures on the future of policing, how power is divided in City Hall and whether to limit rent increases. Here's [what you need to know to vote in the Minneapolis and St. Paul elections.]( We'll have live statewide election results at [startribune.com/results]( once polls close at 8 p.m. - Six carjackings or attempts within two hours Monday evening, police say: Five of the six incidents on Monday involved a gun, [according to preliminary reports.]( Police are investigating if any of the carjackings are linked, said police spokesman Garrett Parten. - Minnesota data show COVID-19 reinfection is no free pass: The state's first accounting of repeat COVID cases includes [some who have been infected three or more times.]( - Should you mix or match your COVID vaccine booster shot? Public health officials have declined to recommend a specific shot, leaving it up to individuals to decide. So what should you do? [Here's a look at the science behind mix-and-match boosters]( and some advice from the experts to help you decide. - Eden Prairie School Board special election follows resignations: A resignation on the Eden Prairie school board [prompted a special election Tuesday that will now name two new members]( to the board after another member resigned this fall. The departures are among dozens of school board resignations this year amid COVID-19 and critical race theory controversies, with many school board members walking away from the front line of partisan battlegrounds. - Biden climate plan aims to reduce methane emissions: The Biden administration on Tuesday [launched a wide-ranging plan to reduce methane emissions](, targeting a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming and packs a stronger short-term punch than even carbon dioxide. The plan was announced as President Joe Biden wraps up a two-day appearance at a United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Biden pledged during the summit to work with the European Union and other nations to reduce overall methane emissions worldwide by 30% by 2030. - Ex-bookkeeper at St. Cloud's Tech High admits to stealing $119K: A 46-year-old St. Cloud woman [has admitted to stealing nearly $119,000 from student activity accounts]( while she worked as a bookkeeper for Technical High School. Allison P. Tadych pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft by swindle in Stearns County District Court on Oct. 22. On the same day, Judge Andrew Pearson sentenced Tadych to 310 days in Stearns County jail. - Minnesota's Phillips Distilling acquires two new brands: Princeton, Minn.-based Phillips [will add Kamora Coffee Liqueur and Leroux brandy and liqueurs to its portfolio]( in a deal expected to close Dec. 1. Phillips expects to bring production of the newly-acquired cordials to Minnesota next year. WATCH THIS Quick-thinking passerby knocks Molotov cocktail out of arsonist's hand in NYC: After an irate man threw a Molotov cocktail into a Brooklyn deli on Saturday, surveillance footage showed he was preparing to throw a second one as workers were fleeing the burning building when [a man who lives nearby slapped the incendiary device out of the arsonist's hand](. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured and a man was arrested, the New York Daily News reports. The damaged deli was reportedly open for business Sunday evening. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - How to upgrade your bathroom for less than $1,000: A full renovation can cost you thousands, but [you can significantly improve your bathroom for much less.]( - Suni Lee survives "Dancing With the Stars" despite stomach illness: The biggest challenge for Suni Lee on "Dancing With the Stars" Monday wasn't a Paso Doble. [It was an upset tummy.]( - This Minneapolis orchestra doesn't just make music — it forges community: One day each week, [people from all walks of life gather in a church basement]( to harmonize in the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Fans back in the Barn watch Johnson win coaching debut: Fans at Williams Arena [got their first look at Ben Johnson as head coach]( of the Gophers men's basketball team and Jamison Battle and Payton Willis combined for 47 points. - Loss to Cowboys exposes Vikings' nepotism problem, again: With Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator and Adam Zimmer as co-defensive coordinator, the Vikings do not have the coaching chops of a serious contender, [writes Jim Souhan.]( - Quarterback helps other 60 hours a week — and also leads an elite team: Jaran Roste is one of the MIAC's top QBs. But what really sets him apart is the time he spends with a Bethel University program [mentoring students with learning disabilities.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK The myth of root canals: Good news — they're no longer terrible, [writes Amanda Mull for the Atlantic.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES Nov. 2, 1992: Two horses frolicked in a pasture along Hwy. 41 near Chaska during the first snow of the season. (Photo: Charles Bjorgen/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.](