Minneapolis police would receive raises, $7K payments under tentative contract agreement

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minneapolis police would receive raises, $7K payments under tentative contract agreement: [Minneapolis police would receive raises and $7,000 payments]( under a tentative contract agreement reached months after voters rejected a proposal to replace the department following George Floyd's murder. The new contract would also require officers to undergo a mental health screening before returning to work following a "critical incident" — when they are seriously harmed or seriously harm or kill someone else — and includes some provisions related to discipline. - Russians shell, seize Europe's largest nuclear power plant: Russian troops Friday seized the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe after a middle-of-the-night attack that set it on fire and briefly raised worldwide fears of a catastrophe in [the most chilling turn in Moscow's invasion of Ukraine yet.]( Firefighters put out the blaze, and no radiation was released, U.N. and Ukrainian officials said, as Russian forces pressed on with their week-old offensive on multiple fronts and the number of refugees fleeing the country topped 1.2 million. - Ellison seeks court supervision of Feeding our Future closure: In a rare action, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office is [requesting a judge supervise the dissolution of Twin Cities nonprofit Feeding Our Future]( to ensure there isn't any fraud involving its remaining assets as the operation winds down. - Minnesota-based Bright Health cutting about 150 jobs following large losses: [Bright Health Group is reducing its workforce by about 5%]( — or roughly 150 jobs — in the wake of dismal financial results last year from its health insurance business. - Supreme Court reimposes Boston Marathon bomber's death sentence: The justices, by a 6-3 vote Friday, agreed with the Biden administration's arguments that [a federal appeals court was wrong to throw out the sentence of death]( a jury imposed on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for his role in the bombing that killed three people near the finish line of the marathon in 2013. - State suspends Twin Cities plastic surgeon accused of molesting female clients: The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice's [temporary suspension of Dr. Christopher Kovanda's license]( took effect Thursday and will be the subject of a close-door hearing in the coming weeks. - Anger assessment ordered for man who grabbed mask proponent at Eastern Carver school board meeting: Thomas W. Kahlbaugh, of Carver, was sentenced Thursday by Carver County District Judge Eric Braaten after [Kahlbaugh pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault]( in connection with the incident in Chaska on Sept. 27 with mask-wearing Jonas Sjoberg. - Strong job growth points to COVID's fading grip on economy: U.S. businesses stepped up their hiring last month as the omicron faded and more Americans ventured out to spend at restaurants, shops, and hotels despite surging inflation. [Employers added 678,000 jobs in February](, the largest monthly total since July, the Labor Department reported Friday. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%, from 4% in January, extending a sharp decline in joblessness to its lowest level since before the pandemic erupted two years ago. - Remembering cartoonist Richard Guindon, a '70s satirist who laughed with us: From farmers in overalls to Edina achievers, [Guindon poked playful fun at Minnesotans](, who loved his quick wit. - Is Minnesota really one of the nation's top sugar producers? Americans consume sugar from beets every day, whether they realize it or not. [And Minnesota farmers produce a lot of it.]( WATCH THIS "Piano Man" plays for Ukrainian refugees crossing into Poland: Pianist Davide Martello traveled from Germany with a baby grand piano in tow to serenade refugees streaming across the border at Korczowa, Poland. One Ukrainian woman even [took over for a rendition of "We Are the Champions."]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Apostle Island ice caves viewing a no-go this year: With plenty of freezing days this winter, hopes were high for a chance to trek out to the shimmering Apostle Islands mainland ice caves. But low ice cover and strong northwesterly winds that bashed dangerous ice shards into the caves mean viewing the natural phenomenon from Lake Superior [will likely wait at least another year.]( - The 5 best things our food writers ate this week: From corned wagyu to a smothered breakfast burrito, [here's a rundown of the greatest hits from their dining diaries]( over the past seven days. It's fish fry season in the Twin Cities. [Here are 20 great options around the metro.]( - 20 Minnesota-made vodkas worth trying: Don't be shaken (or stirred) if you're trying to find a replacement for your favorite Eastern European vodka. [There are several Minnesota-made ones ready to become your go-to spirit.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Vikings' streak of drafting offensive linemen early could be finished: The new Vikings leadership brought a change in tone around the perennial lighting rod that is the offensive line. Coach Kevin O'Connell says [he sees "a lot to build off" among players currently on the roster.]( - D-Lo wants your applause and Wolves fans should comply: Scoring, passing, defending, leading, goading Target Center crowds, bonding with his teammates, D'Angelo Russell looks like the player the Wolves needed all along, [writes Jim Souhan.]( - Minnesota's severe winter could affect deer hunting Up North: From the southern boundary of Crow Wing County to the tip of the Northwest Angle, Minnesota's whitetail deer have been battling winter conditions considered severe or well on their way to becoming severe, state wildlife officials say. Depending on how the remainder of winter plays out, [mortality could be a factor in lowering or not raising harvest limits]( for 2022 in certain areas, said Barb Keller, the DNR's big game program supervisor. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Why your kitchen sponge is a better home for bacteria than a petri dish: "Its porous structure provides the ideal physical environment for different kinds of bacteria to thrive, according to new research," [writes Corryn Wetzel for Smithsonian Magazine.]( TALKERS TRIVIA Want to win a $15 gift card of your choice? It's Friday, so that means it's time for another trivia question. The correct answer to this question can be found in a story that appeared in Talkers this week. We can't prevent you from simply Googling the answer, so Googling is encouraged! E-mail your answer to talkers@startribune.com by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. A winner will be selected at random from the correct responses. That lucky reader will receive a $15 card of their choice from one of several retailers — Best Buy, Target, Holiday or Menards — as well as a shout-out in Monday's newsletter. Here is this week's question: Former WCCO Radio host Cory Hepola announced he is running for Minnesota governor under the banner of which newly formed political party? Good luck! FROM THE ARCHIVES March 4, 2015: T.C. Bear and Goldy Gopher mugged for the camera while waiting for pregame activities to commence Wednesday evening at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla., where the Twins were playing an exhibition game against the University of Minnesota. (Photo: Jeff Wheeler/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.](