Ex-officer Thao takes stand in federal civil rights case for Floyd death

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Ex-officer Thao takes stand in federal civil rights case for Floyd death: Breaking his public silence for the first time since George Floyd's killing, [ex-Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao took the witness stand]( Tuesday morning to testify in his own defense. Thao was the second witness called as the defense opened its case in their civil rights trial. Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are all expected to testify. - Frey says HCMC doctor failed to follow "excited delirium" training directive: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey [blamed a Hennepin Healthcare physician for failing to follow through on a directive]( to provide medical training to police that removed lessons on "excited delirium," a controversial diagnosis for severe agitation rejected by many doctors. Leadership for Hennepin Healthcare also issued an apology Monday saying they "failed to follow through on our promise to no longer teach excited delirium and to be intentional in addressing systemic racism." - Senate Republicans introduce "Minnesota Parents Bill of Rights": Minnesota Senate Republicans [unveiled a slate of measures Monday]( that would require teachers to share their curriculum with parents and allow parents to seek alternative instruction or leave the school altogether if they don't like what they see. The idea of "parental rights" is gaining traction with Republicans nationally, who see it as a winning political strategy to take back state legislative chambers and win governor races across the country. - Cory Hepola leaves WCCO radio amid reports he is weighing a bid for governor: [Cory Hepola has left his WCCO radio show.]( Several news outlets are reporting that the former KARE-11 weekend anchor is contemplating to run in the Minnesota gubernatorial race. Media companies typically sever ties with employees who are seeking a political office. - Sandy Hook families settle for $73M with gun maker Remington: The families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School have agreed to [a $73 million settlement of a lawsuit against the maker of the rifle]( used to kill 20 first graders and six educators in 2012. Remington, which made the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre, also agreed to allow the families to release numerous documents they obtained during the lawsuit including ones showing how it marketed the weapon, the families said Tuesday. - Minnesota courts to release state's new redistricting plans today: A five-judge panel appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court will [release the state's redrawn political boundaries for legislative and congressional districts]( at noon on Tuesday, the deadline in law to complete the redistricting process. Some voters could land in new districts under the maps, which will also shape state congressional elections and the battle for control of the Legislature for the next 10 years. - COVID-19 hospitalizations drop below 1,000 in Minnesota: COVID-19 hospitalizations have [dropped below 1,000 for the first time in Minnesota since early November](, easing pressure on the state's medical system. - From the ground and air, State patrol launches crackdown on speeding in Minneapolis: State troopers on Monday [began a 10-day crackdown on speeding in Minneapolis]( — and the State Patrol will be watching from the air, too. - Prince Andrew to settle sex abuse case, donate to charity: Britain's Prince Andrew [has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre](, who said she was sexually trafficked to the British royal by the financier Jeffrey Epstein when she was 17. - ROCORI superintendent will resign at end of school year: At Monday's meeting, the school board also heard an update on an investigation into [allegations of racism in the central Minnesota district]( encompassing the cities of Rockville, Cold Spring and Richmond. WATCH THIS Cheetah slams into floor-to-ceiling window with baby on the other side at safari lodge: [Fortunately, the glass didn't break.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Battery-operated clothes are the secret to staying warm this winter: Electrically heated clothing first warmed high-altitude fliers a century ago, but the concept has only recently gone mainstream. Improvements in technology have expanded the number of warming products available, so [cold-dwellers can now stay cozy from their battery-powered boot insoles to their heated balaclavas.]( - Clancey's Meats buys former Grand Cafe space in Minneapolis: The south Minneapolis home of the Grand Cafe, the acclaimed French restaurant that closed in 2020, won't stay vacant much longer. Kristin Tombers, owner of the Linden Hills butcher shop Clancey's Meat & Fish, [has bought the building at 3804 Grand Av. S.]( A remodeling permit filed with the city of Minneapolis calls the business Clancey's Restaurant. - Rage Against the Machine pushes Minneapolis concerts for a third year: The longest-delayed concerts on the Twin Cities' calendar have been pushed into their third year of waiting. Rage Against the Machine's pair of Target Center shows, originally booked for May 2020 – and then July 2021, then May 2022 — have been finally [rescheduled for March 19-20, 2023.]( Rap duo Run the Jewels are still scheduled to open, though they may need a reminder by then. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Team USA loses to Italy as battle for curling gold twists and turns: The crushing defeat dropped Shuster's squad to 4-4 in round robin action with a match with last-place Denmark on Thursday (Wednesday night in Minnesota). [It opens the door for all kinds of tiebreaking possibilities](, writes La Velle E. Neal III. - These are the biggest decisions facing new Vikings coach O'Connell: Football writer Ben Goessling joins Michael Rand on the Daily Delivery podcast to [discuss personnel calls, salary concerns and other issues for Kevin O'Connell.]( - Why is the Wolves defense struggling (even while the team keeps winning)? Over the past few weeks, the Wolves aren't posting the same numbers on defense that they were early in the season. [Here's why that's happening.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Six baking myths you shouldn't believe: Washington Post food writer Becky Krystal [challenges common misconceptions often circulated as conventional wisdom]( for home bakers. FROM THE ARCHIVES Feb. 15, 2018: U.S. cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, of Afton, caught her breath after finishing fifth in the women's 10km Free race at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. 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