Sanford, Fairview revive merger talk — a decade after last attempt failed

Plus: Sun Country adds more than a dozen more nonstop flights at MSP [Plus: Sun Country adds more than a dozen more nonstop flights at MSP] If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. TALKERS TOP STORIES   [UMMC Wast Bank Hospital]( [Sanford, Fairview revive merger talk — a decade after last attempt failed]( A mega-merger of the Sanford and Fairview health systems is back on the table in Minnesota, a decade after state political concerns scuttled a similar deal. [READ MORE](   [After divisive midterms, Emmer tries for new House leadership role]( U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer’s ability to win a powerful House leadership role could rest on whether his fellow Republicans see the midterms as a success or a failure. With Republicans favored to win back control of the chamber, the Minnesotan who led the House GOP’s campaign arm is running this week to become the coveted majority whip. Yet that majority could come by a relatively small number of seats instead of the sizable wave of Republican wins the right had hoped to see. [READ MORE](   [Becker school board updates communication plan after “gag” suit by union]( Three months after the Becker school district was sued by its local teachers union over a communications plan the union called a “gag order,” the school board approved an amended plan that outlines district communication goals but emphasizes nothing in the plan should be interpreted to prevent an employee from exercising legally protected speech. [READ MORE](   [Trump prepares to launch third campaign for the White House]( Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House on Tuesday, looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party is waning. [READ MORE](   [Nordstrom Rack to close at IDS center in downtown Minneapolis]( Nordstrom Inc. will close its Nordstrom Rack store at the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis later this week, the company said Monday, saying it could serve the Twin Cities better with its other stores. [READ MORE]( WATCH THIS   What it’s like to get a hug from an octopus Andrea Humphreys was diving recently off Vancouver Island when an octopus approached and proceeded to wrap its tentacles around her camera. [WATCH VIDEO]( *** Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to talkers@startribune.com. *** TRENDING   [Sun Country adds more than a dozen more nonstop flights at MSP]( With air travel rebounding, Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines announced on Tuesday a major expansion with more than a dozen more nonstop routes from MSP next year, including to Atlantic City, Colorado Springs, Louisville and New York. [READ MORE]( SPORTS BLINK   [Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis needs extra-thick skin as he grows into role]( Kaliakmanis passed for only 64 yards in last week’s 31-3 victory at Northwestern in his second career start, but he could be called upon for more against Iowa on Saturday. [READ MORE]( *** Did someone forward this newsletter to you? [Sign up for Talkers here](. *** WORTH A CLICK   [Why you should throw away your Teflon pan the second it cracks]( “In a new Science of The Total Environment study, the authors simulated the cooking process with different non-stick pots and pans using turners made of different materials, like steel or wood. They found that non-stick cookware mainly coated with Teflon may release about 9,100 plastic particles during the cooking process if it has a surface crack. Should something break the coating, around 2,300,000 microplastics and nanoplastics may be released and potentially find their way into food,” Carla Delgado writes for Popular Science. [READ MORE]( FROM THE ARCHIVES   Nov. 15, 1989: Heart Strings, a musical production company traveling to 30 U.S. cities to do benefit performances for AIDS victims, put on a noontime show for visitors to the St. Paul Center to promote their upcoming performance at the College of St. Catherine’s O’Shaughnessy Auditorium. (Photo: Charles Bjorgen/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [fb]( [tw]( [insta]( [Manage email preferences](  |  [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( |  [Privacy Policy]( We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.]( [Unsubscribe]( from this list. © 2022 StarTribune. All rights reserved. [Manage]( your preferences | [Opt Out]( using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? [Sign up]( to receive our future emails. View this email [online](. 650 3rd Ave. S. Suite 1300 | Minneapolis, MN 55488 US This email was sent to {EMAIL}. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.