Minneapolis, St. Paul lift mask mandates — except in city-run buildings

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minneapolis, St. Paul lift mask mandates — except in city-run buildings: Minneapolis and St. Paul [lifted their indoor mask mandates Thursday](, marking the end of the widest sweeping COVID-19 rules in the Twin Cities. Mayors of both cities will continue to require face coverings in city-controlled buildings. - Russia launches broad attack on Ukraine: [Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday](, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee. Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a "full-scale war" that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout already reverberated around the world. [Here's a rundown from the AP of what has happened so far]( and what may happen next in response to the attack. [A bipartisan mix of Minnesota elected officials are blasting the invasion.]( With 70% of its land arable, Ukraine is an agricultural power, among the world's largest producers of sunflower oil, corn, wheat, barley, canola oil and soybeans. Minnesota agribusinesses with large operations and investments in Ukraine — often called the breadbasket of Europe — are [preparing for a worsening situation as Russia escalates the conflict](. - Minneapolis Housing Authority board chair resigns after feds move to seize property he helped buy: Sharmarke Issa, board chair of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority for more than three years, [has resigned after a building he helped buy was tied to a federal investigation]( of food program fraud. - Gunfire that killed 9-year-old girl was intended for 3 people nearby, charges say: The gunfire that killed a 9-year-old girl last spring as she jumped on a friend's trampoline [was meant for three people on the porch of the north Minneapolis home](, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday morning. D'Pree Shareef Robinson, 19, of Minneapolis, was arrested in Minneapolis by state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents and charged in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the May 15, 2021, shooting of Trinity Ottoson-Smith. - Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth Group acquisition of Change Healthcare: The government [alleges the proposed $13 billion acquisition would harm competition]( among health insurers and in the health care technology market. - Deliberations resume in civil rights trial of three former Minneapolis police officers: [Jurors began a second day of deliberations Thursday]( in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd's constitutional right to be free from unreasonable seizure. The jurors deliberated for seven hours Wednesday without reaching a verdict in the case that began with opening statements Jan. 24. - What you need to know about the potential teacher strikes in Minneapolis, St. Paul: Contract negotiations between Minneapolis and St. Paul teachers unions and the school districts have dragged on for months, and now the unions have each filed intents to strike. The actions, which come less than a week after the unions' members voted overwhelmingly in support of authorizing a strike if necessary, still don't necessarily mean a walkout is imminent. [Here are answers to questions about the possible strike.]( - Michelle Gross and the Minnesota group she leads seek to hold police accountable: At a time when deaths at the hands of local law enforcement officers are drawing rising scrutiny, few voices have been as relentlessly critical of police practices over the past two decades as that of Gross, a 64-year-old retired health care manager from north Minneapolis. Twenty-one years ago Gross helped launch CUAPB, [an organization that has grown in significance in the wake of George Floyd's murder]( in 2020 and the demand for police reforms. - Prosecutors in charge of Trump criminal probe have resigned: The two prosecutors in charge of the Manhattan district attorney's criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump and his business dealings suddenly resigned Wednesday, [throwing the future of the probe into question]( just as pressure was building on Trump on several legal fronts. WATCH THIS Local news reporter has live shot interrupted by his mom: A hilarious moment was caught on camera in Columbus, Ohio, when the mother of ABC6's Myles Harris [suddenly rolled up to say hello.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - MPR's Cathy Wurzer wants you to live more fully by keeping the "End in Mind": The veteran broadcaster's nonprofit seeks to help Minnesotans [achieve comfort with difficult conversations around dying.]( - James Beard semifinalists include 4 Minnesota chefs, 2 restaurants, 1 embattled restaurateur: The high-profile awards, widely viewed as the industry's highest honors, recognize and celebrate excellence in restaurants, cookbooks and journalism. [Here's a look at the local semifinalists.]( - 7 food and drink events coming up soon in the Twin Cities: [Take in a family-friendly carnival or sip whiskey and wine]( at one of these events. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Gophers connect with glory years by honoring 1982 Big Ten title team: Former U coach Jim Dutcher [hadn't been back to Williams Arena for seven years]( until the invitation came from first-year coach Ben Johnson. - St. Louis Park, Robbinsdale districts won't play New Prague after racist taunts: Taunts at recent boys' hockey and girls' basketball games led to the districts announcing [they will suspend playing teams from New Prague.]( - Wild expects Zuccarello back tonight, Greenway out vs. Leafs: Winger Mats Zuccarello [practiced Wednesday and skated Thursday morning at Scotiabank Arena](, but the team will have call-up Mason Shaw skate warmups ahead of puck drop in case Zuccarello can't play. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Ukrainians flee as Russia attacks: The Washington Post compiles [these images from photographers Salwan Georges and Heidi Levine]( depicting the chaotic events in Ukraine following Russia's invasion. FROM THE ARCHIVES Feb. 24, 2019: St. Louis Blues players stood for the National Anthem before the start of a game against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (Photo: Carlos Gonzalez/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.](