These Minneapolis neighborhoods were hit hardest by carjackings in 2021

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - These Minneapolis neighborhoods were hit hardest by carjackings in 2021: Police recorded more than 640 attempted or successful carjackings throughout the city last year — that's almost two per day, setting residents on edge and confounding law enforcement. [This map shows where they were concentrated,]( neighborhood by neighborhood. - Mail, garbage delays in store as omicron wave builds in Minnesota: As a crushing wave of omicron infections surges across Minnesota, mail carriers and garbage haulers say [they're struggling to keep things going.]( A longstanding driver shortage and the rapid spread of omicron infections among employees at Metro Transit and Metro Mobility have [started to affect service on buses and light rail throughout the Twin Cities.]( - Home COVID tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday: Starting Saturday, private health insurers [will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month]( for people on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations. - St. Paul schools weigh replacing in person classes with "digital learning days": St. Paul Public Schools is considering [sprinkling in as many as five digital learning days]( through the remainder of the school year in recognition of the stresses and challenges created by the pandemic. Two more metro area school districts are moving to distance learning after outbreaks of COVID-19 that have led to high numbers of student absences and staffing shortages. [Prior Lake-Savage and Osseo will move students to distance learning this week.]( - Biden to back filibuster changes to push voting rights bill: President Joe Biden will use a speech in Georgia to [endorse changing Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation](, saying it's time to choose "democracy over autocracy." But some civil rights groups won't be there, in protest of what they say is administration inaction. - Officials across Twin Cities join forces to fight crime: Mayors, police chiefs and prosecutors across the Twin Cities are [vowing to band together to slow a surge in violent crime]( that is roiling the region, but exactly how to do that remains unclear. The group convened Monday to zero in on a recent rise in vehicle thefts and violent carjackings dozens of officials said requires better collaboration between cities and suburbs, as well as police and prosecutors. - For one mom and Army veteran, MOA's handling of shooting was a "failure": The texts between a teenager who was holed up in a Starbucks at the Mall of America during the New Year's Eve shooting and his mother were filled with confusion and dread, [writes Laura Yuen.]( - St. Paul diner owner pinching pennies to get her restaurant through pandemic: Neighborhood Cafe owner Kris Masanz talks about her early days in the business and [why she's hesitant to fully reopen]( nearly two years after the pandemic first closed her doors. WATCH THIS Dozens of escaped ostriches race through the streets of Chongzuo, China: [More than 80 of the large, flightless birds reportedly escaped from a nearby farm]( after the gate to their pen was left unlocked. The ostriches were returned to their home with the help of local police. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Walz's hot dish tweet may be his most controversial message of the year: Gov. Tim Walz has weathered his share of criticisms and controversy, but he really rankled the ire of Minnesotans when [he wandered into the fray of hot dish fandom.]( - Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard joins MPR: The longtime Twin Cities meteorologist [will offer forecasts and commentary at 7:50 a.m. weekdays]( on MPR's "Morning Edition." His first appearance on the show was Tuesday. He also is one of the contributors for MPR's weather blog Updraft. - Last movie theater in Maple Grove shuts its doors: But the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes has [big plans for the former AMC cineplex.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Ranking the NFL's head coaching openings: Spoiler alert — [the Vikings are the best (and the worst).]( - As Wilfs clean house, players want coach who can connect with them: Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf say they'll hire a new general manager before naming a new coach. Veteran Eric Kendricks said [some of ex-coach Mike Zimmer's sharp-tongued critiques didn't sit well with players.]( - At midpoint of season, defense appears here to stay for Wolves: The Wolves have the eighth-most efficient defense in the league 40 games into their season. A big reason? [Improved defense from Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Four reasons you're seeing empty grocery store shelves: "Some of the culprits for this round of shortfalls are the same as in the early days of the pandemic, and some can be chalked up to new problems bumping up against old ones," [writes Laura Reiley for the Washington Post.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES Jan. 11, 1977: Berta Krueger swept the sidewalk in front of her house near Lake Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minnapolis as the snow covered it again. (Photo: Bruce Bisping/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 © 2022 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](