What we know about omicron and the new COVID-19 subvariant

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - What we know about omicron and the new COVID-19 subvariant: In the late winter and early spring, a new, more transmissible omicron subvariant, known as BA.2, has gained steam, becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. It is now [causing slightly more than one-third of infections in the United States](, the CDC estimates. Wednesday's pandemic update from the Minnesota Department of Health [showed zero COVID-19 deaths recorded so far on March 12](. That could change, given delays in reporting and verifying COVID-19 deaths, but it nonetheless is the latest sign that Minnesota has emerged from its fifth and latest pandemic wave. - Minneapolis district says school likely to extend into June: Minneapolis students [should expect the school year to extend further into June](, district officials said, to make up classes missed during the ongoing teachers strike. School and union representatives are continuing to negotiate in an attempt to reach an agreement that would end the strike, now in its third school week. - Minneapolis Mayor Frey unveils plan for new cabinet, safety office: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Tuesday [unveiled a proposal to create an Office of Community Safety]( that would include police, firefighters and violence prevention staff. The mayor's plan is part of a broader pitch to create a cabinet that would include four high-ranking staffers to help him supervise city departments under a new government structure that hands him more power over their daily operations. It comes at the same time a small group of council members are working on their own effort to create a public safety department. - Police union contract advances to Minneapolis council for possible vote Thursday: Minneapolis City Council members [will meet again Thursday to discuss a tentative contract agreement]( with the city's police union — but without a recommendation from their colleagues on whether they should approve or deny the deal. The deal with the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis incudes raises and $7,000 "incentive payments" for officers who remain on duty until the end of the year, but it lacks many of the disciplinary changes a growing number of local activists are seeking. - Jackson continues to defend record in third day of confirmation hearings: Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson [returned to the Senate for a third day of hearings Wednesday]( as Republicans try to paint her as soft on crime and Democrats herald the historic nature of her nomination to become the first Black woman on the high court. - Retired U.S. Army Corps tugboat sinking into Duluth Harbor: A former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tugboat [has begun sinking into the Duluth Harbor.]( The privately owned boat named Lake Superior, moored in a slip near Pier B off Railroad Street, developed a hole in a ballast tank, said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Joseph McGinnis. - Allegiant Air suspends summer service at St. Cloud airport: Airport Director Bill Towle said Friday that [the airline was discontinuing service for the season]( while it reallocates planes from the Phoenix-Mesa airport to other cities across the country. - NATO says 7K to 15K Russian troops dead in Ukraine: NATO estimated on Wednesday that [7,000 to 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in four weeks of fighting in Ukraine](, where the country's defenders have put up stiffer-than-expected resistance and denied Moscow the lightning victory it hoped for. - Supreme Court tosses Wisconsin legislative voting maps: In an unsigned opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday [threw out Wisconsin state legislative maps that were preferred by the state's Democratic governor]( and selected by Wisconsin's top court. The justices sent the case back to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, saying it is "free to take additional evidence if it prefers to reconsider the Governor's maps rather than choose from among the other submissions." The high court [declined to say Wednesday whether 73-year-old Justice Clarence Thomas remains in the hospital](, though he had been expected to be released by Tuesday evening. The court said Sunday that Thomas had been admitted to Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington on Friday after experiencing "flu-like symptoms," and he was diagnosed with an infection. - Tornado rips through New Orleans and its suburbs: [A tornado that menaced New Orleans]( flipped a schoolbus, ripped off rooftops and deposited a house with a family inside onto the middle of Prosperity Street. Two people were killed as the storm front blew across the South. WATCH THIS Anne Hathaway crushes Kelly Clarkson in karaoke "Sing that Name that Tune" game — with Clarkson's own song: [The actress recognized Clarkson's hit "Since U Been Gone"]( before the singer did. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - It's a farewell to a friend at Elton John's final concerts in the Twin Cities: When you get together with old friends, you spend a lot of time revisiting the past, as Elton did Tuesday at the X (he returns Wednesday). He said he'd never forget playing the Guthrie on Nov. 29, 1970, and he dedicated "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to Starkey founder Bill Austin, [writes Jon Bream.]( - "Bridgerton" season 2 fails to bring sexy back: "Three's Company" lost its zing with the departure of Suzanne Somers. "Charlie's Angels" was never the same after Farrah Fawcett left. ["Bridgerton" may be facing the same dilemma.]( - How "Famous Dave" Anderson earned his accidental moniker: Following his induction to the National Native American Hall of Fame, [the legendary pitmaster reflects on his winding path to success.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Correa sets ambitious goals with Twins: "We only talked about winning. That's what we want to build here. We want to build a championship culture," [the 27-year-old shortstop said in his first news conference]( since signing a three-year, $105.3 million contract with the Twins. - Za'Darius Smith cites Vikings history in signing deal: Smith [joined the long list of former Packers standouts to cross the Wisconsin border]( and join the Vikings, agreeing to a deal worth up to $47 million, according to two league sources with knowledge of the negotiations. - Minnesota lawmakers consider $1,000 fine on unruly youth sports attendees: [A proposal to impose civil penalties on people who disrupt kids' sports events]( has some bipartisan support. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Changing clocks for daylight saving time is annoying. So are the alternatives. "This is a rare political issue on which people's views aren't predicted solely by their party affiliation but rather by a chaotic stew of geography, taste, and life circumstances. People prone to seasonal depression, late risers, parents of schoolchildren, and people who time prayers around sunrise all come at this question from different places," [writes Joe Pinsker for the Atlantic.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES March 23, 1966: Downtown Minneapolis was nearly deserted during what was normally the rush hour after a spring blizzard left most area residents stranded in their homes. A lone pedestrian, Dave Scheusner of Minneapolis, made his way down Nicollet Avenue. (Photo: Dwight Miller/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.](