After coexisting for millennia, beetles now eating away Minnesota's tamarack trees

Plus: The 5 best things our food writers ate this week ͏ ͏ If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - After coexisting for millennia, beetles now eating away Minnesota's tamarack trees: Tamaracks were once the most common trees across Minnesota, but climate change has made them vulnerable to the eastern larch beetle's voracious appetite. [Read more.]( - Numerous respiratory viruses are keeping pressure on Minnesota hospitals: The prevalence of respiratory viruses is making it tough for Minnesotans to know the cause of their illnesses this winter — and straining the state's hospital capacity. [Read more.]( - Teen charged in Minneapolis crash of carjacked SUV that killed 2 passengers A teenager has been charged in the death of two passengers while fleeing police in a high-speed crash of a carjacked SUV in Minneapolis that cut the vehicle in half. [Read more.]( - Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema switches to independent: Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced Friday she has registered as an independent, a renegade move that could bolster her political brand but won't upend the Democrats' narrow Senate majority. She says she will not caucus with Republicans. [Read more.]( - Duluth chamber staffer went to its board with concerns about management — then she was fired: Martha Bremer, who until recently was in a high-profile position with the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, went to the board of directors in August driven by concerns about the quiet hiring of an employee to head a new foundation within the organization. [Read more.]( WATCH THIS Amateur guest conductor in a puffy coat and kilt leads Chelsea Symphony through "Sleigh Ride": Let's end the week on a festive note with [this clip from New York City.]( *** Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. *** TRENDING The 5 best things our food writers ate this week: From ribs to carrot soup, here's a rundown from the greatest hits from their dining diaries over the past seven days. [Read more.]( SPORTS BLINK Gophers bad night sets ominous tone very early in season: The Gophers didn't play defense, didn't always box out and failed to move the ball to create open shots. If someone is mentioning next year's recruits early in a column about a game, you know it didn't go well, writes Jim Souhan. [Read more.]( *** Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. *** WORTH A CLICK The Geminid meteor shower will be at its peak next week. Here's how to watch it. "Heralded as one of the best astronomical events of the year, the Geminids can display more than 100 meteors per hour under the optimal conditions of clear skies and low light pollution. Their glowing white or yellow streaks in the winter sky rival the famed August Perseids in splendor," writes Carlyn Kranking for Smithsonian Magazine. [Read more.]( 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: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case that involves which former store at Mall of America? Good luck! FROM THE ARCHIVES Dec. 9, 1962: Northern States Power Executive Vice President Earl Ewald shows off a model of NSP's planned headquarters on Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The building, now owned by Xcel Energy, was completed in 1964. (Photo: 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.](