Hennepin Healthcare promised to address systemic racism. Then came the blackface photos.

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Hennepin Healthcare promised to address systemic racism. Then came the blackface photos. Two weeks after issuing a public letter renewing its pledge to be "intentional in addressing systemic racism," leadership for Hennepin Healthcare, the Twin Cities' largest safety-net hospital system, is facing internal turmoil over [photographs featuring two employees dressed in blackface makeup.]( - Biden vows to halt Russia, fight inflation in State of the Union speech: Speaking to a concerned nation and anxious world, [President Joe Biden vowed in his first State of the Union address]( Tuesday night to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus. As Biden was coming to the end of his speech, [a somber moment about his son's death turned into a stunning outburst]( by one of the Republicans' most outspoken members. [Here are seven takeaways from Biden's speech]( and here's [how Minnesota's congressional delegation reacted to it.](You can [watch video of the address and the responses here.]( Biden is set to visit the Twin Ports today, where he is expected to [highlight the recently signed $1 trillion infrastructure package]( with Blatnik Bridge as backdrop. - Most of the world lines up against Moscow as attacks intensify: Most of the world lined up against Moscow in the United Nations on Wednesday to demand it withdraw from Ukraine, as [Russian forces renewed their bombardment of the country's second-biggest city]( and besieged its strategic ports. Russia reported its military casualties for the first time since the invasion began last week, saying nearly 500 of its troops had been killed and almost 1,600 wounded. Ukraine insisted Russia's losses were far higher but did not immediately disclose its own casualties. - Former WCCO Radio host Cory Hepola announces third-party bid for Minnesota governor: Hepola, who also worked as an anchor for KARE 11, [will be a candidate for the Forward Party]( that was recently founded this year by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Hepola is the first third party candidate to enter the race. A long list of Republican candidates are also running to unseat DFL Gov. Tim Walz. - Minneapolis resident claims she fatally shot man on her property in self defense: [A 53-year-old Minneapolis homeowner is claiming self-defense]( for fatally shooting a man she said broke into her garage and was coming at her and her adult son in a threatening manner. The woman's account is detailed in a search warrant affidavit filed by police in Hennepin County District Court as part of their investigation into the killing of Martin L. Johnson, 30, on Feb. 22 behind her home in the 3300 block of S. 25th Avenue. - 43% of Americans have had COVID-19, CDC says: [More than 140 million Americans have had the coronavirus](, according to estimates from blood tests that reveal antibodies from infection — about double the rate regularly cited by national case counts. The estimates, compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that about 43% of the country has been infected by the virus. The study shows that the majority of children have also been infected. - Woman arrested after hostage situation at St. Paul gas station: [A 31-year-old woman is in custody]( after four people were held hostage at a St. Paul gas station on Tuesday, police said. - Today's inflation jolt covers up a long-term strain on Minnesotans' wallets: Consumers are keeping a close eye these days on swift increases in prices of food, gas and utilities. But [another force has squeezed their wallets far more]( — yet far more slowly. WATCH THIS Common phrase stumps "Wheel of Fortune" contestants: A lot of people were likely [yelling at their TVs during this segment.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Twin Cities mom adds dashes of wisdom and love as she teaches son to cook: A son's move toward independence provided an unexpected opportunity to spend time together and [revisit favorite family recipes.]( - 20 fish fry options in the Twin Cities metro area: If your Lenten ritual includes weekly fried fish, [there is no shortage of options.]( - Country star Eric Church will bring pariah Morgan Wallen to U.S. Bank Stadium in June: Eric Church has prided himself on being a country-music maverick. So when he makes [his first Twin Cities stadium appearance on June 11]( at U.S. Bank Stadium, he'll bring along Nashville's pariah of the moment, Morgan Wallen, who has been ostracized for saying the N-word in a drunken video clip. SPORTS ROUNDUP - With decisions coming on Cousins and Barr, Vikings have "a puzzle": The Vikings' new brain trust, led by General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell, arrived at the annual NFL scouting combine this week trying to catch up with other teams that have coaching and scouting systems in place and much of the groundwork done. But the Vikings' most pressing questions come from [their current salary cap-strapped roster.]( - Is Rob Manfred the worst commissioner in sports? Major League Baseball's financial fight [cost regular-season games for the first time in 27 years]( when often acrimonious talks to end a management lockout collapsed Tuesday and Commissioner Rob Manfred scrapped March 31 openers. Daily Delivery podcast host Michael Rand lays out his case for why Manfred is [the worst commissioner of any sport during his lifetime](. It's not just this year's labor dispute — which has resulted in the first two series of the regular season being canceled — but rather the cumulative effect of Manfred's seven years. - Welcome to high school boys' hockey section mayhem: Starting at 7 tonight and going through about 10 p.m. Friday, 16 boys' hockey teams in Minnesota will win their section tournaments and earn spots in the Class 2A and 1A state tournaments. [Here's where you can keep up with all the action.]( Come back for updates as the pregame anticipation builds and the scores come in from around Minnesota. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Do salmon have rights? "A legal battle between Seattle and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe could test the Rights of Nature movement," [reports Joseph Lee for Grist.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES March 2, 1989: Rochester John Marshall's Eric Monsrud celebrated after Jeff Fogarty scored the Rockets' first goal in a 4-2 victory over Edina in the quarterfinals of the state high school boys' hockey tournament at the St. Paul Civic Center. (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.](