7 hurt as car collides with two light-rail trains in downtown Minneapolis

Plus: St. Paul Public Schools dangles $1.3M in bonuses to hire or retain hundreds of educators ͏ ͏ If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - 7 hurt as car collides with two light-rail trains in downtown Minneapolis: Two people in the car were extracted from the vehicle, which became wedged between a northbound and a southbound train after being hit Monday night at the intersection of 5th Street and Portland Avenue S., said Metro Transit spokesman Drew Kerr. [Read more.]( - Ex-racial equity director alleges "toxic" environment at Minneapolis City Hall: In [a memo]( sent before she departed last week as director of the Department of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Tyeastia Green is alleging a "toxic work environment" at City Hall and accusing several senior Black officials of "antiblack racism," including City Council President Andrea Jenkins and Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw. [Read more.]( - St. Paul Public Schools dangles $1.3M in bonuses to hire or retain hundreds of educators: St. Paul Public Schools wants to hire more than 200 teachers and teacher aides ahead of the next academic year. And the state's second-largest school district is setting aside a total of $1.3 million in hiring and retention bonuses to get there. [Read more.]( - Militia sympathizer pleads guilty to having machine gun, grenade launcher in Anoka home: A Twin Cities man described by prosecutors as an anti-government militia sympathizer with a desire to kill Black activists and liberals has admitted to possessing a machine gun, a grenade launcher and illicit drugs in his home. [Read more.]( - Lawmakers debate "right to repair" bills as tractor makers, farm groups seek amends: In January, the Minnesota Farm Bureau struck a deal with John Deere to open their computer codes to independent mechanics to fix farm machinery. Some farmers say more is needed. [Read more.]( WATCH THIS Tourists evacuated as Grand Canyon waterfall surges: Floodwaters barreled over the famous Havusupai Falls on the Havasupai Tribe Reservation along the Grand Canyon in Arizona over the weekend, washing out a bridge to a campground and forcing the evacuation of hikers and campers in the area. [See the video.]( *** Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. *** TRENDING Al Franken takes the helm of "Daily Show" as guest host: On Monday, the former Minnesota senator started a four-night stint as guest host of "The Daily Show." He kicked off the gig with a high-profile visitor designed to give the 71-year-old comedian some added attention. [Read more.]( SPORTS BLINK Here are the Twins' top 10 minor league prospects: The Twins' top 10 prospect lists are volatile from year to year. What makes our 2023 list notable are some of the names who aren't on it. [Read more.]( *** Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. *** WORTH A CLICK Tracking the Chinese balloon from space: "In early February, a giant white balloon was seen floating over U.S. skies, prompting speculation about its provenance and purpose. An exclusive analysis of millions of square miles of satellite imagery traces the balloon hours after its launch in China, across the Philippine Sea and then to North America. It also reveals that the balloon was remotely maneuvered at points on its journey," the New York Times reports. [Read more.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES March 21, 2017: Empire Township farmer Aaron Brand checks for mislayed eggs in his free-range hen house, where 2,500 hens produce about 200 dozen eggs per day. The first new flock of hens had just arrived and was adjusting to the new space, preparing for spring when they could explore their new outdoor fenced pen. (Photo: Glen Stubbe/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 © 2023 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](