Category Archives: News

2025.02.28

For one Minnesotan, a new heat pump brings comfort and savings Even in one of the coldest cities in the U.S., Kathy Palmer’s heat pump helps displace gas heating, lowers heating bills, and makes her home more comfortable.
by Alison F. Takemura
https://www.minnpost.com/other-nonprofit-media/2025/02/for-one-minnesotan-a-new-heat-pump-brings-comfort-and-savings/

‘Come back strong’: 19 Bar reopens in Minneapolis nearly a year after major fire
Nicole Ki
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/27/19-bar-reopens-in-minneapolis-after-major-fire

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns to Minneapolis after 5-year hiatus
Nick Halter
https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/02/27/st-patricks-parade-returns-minneapolis-columbia-heights

Senate GOP demands Walz apology for ‘fascists and Nazis’ comment; Walz says he was talking about actual neo-Nazis
Gov. Walz said his comments, which Senate Republicans posted to social media, were not about President Trump or Republican voters.
Author: Danny Spewak
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/politics/senate-gop-demands-walz-apology-for-fascists-and-nazis-comment/89-9a40b189-5c5f-4977-b3b9-c59de7bea4b5?ref=exit-recirc

Preserving your family’s immigration journey: Where to start
Last week, Sahan Journal and MPR News hosted a live community conversation, titled “My family immigration story — and yours” — about how artists, historians and community leaders record and preserve their community history.
by Katelyn Vue
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/minnesota-family-immigration-history/

‘They’ve lost my trust’: consumers shun companies as bosses kowtow to Trump
Americans are using their wallet to hurt where it matters – including during Friday’s planned ‘economic blackout’
Lauren Aratani in New York and Guardian community team
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/feb/28/trump-consumer-protests-companies

Disney’s Snow White to Mickey 17: 10 of the best films to watch this March
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250227-10-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-march

‘I was born to be an actor’: Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen
Christopher Luu
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-derek-jacobi-influential-interview-katty-kay

Is there no such thing as Italian cuisine?
Thomas Fabbri
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250227-is-there-no-such-thing-as-italian-cuisine

Jim Gaffigan, Italian Flicks, Queer Soup Night: This Week’s Best Events
Plus fiber arts, art books, and A Bar of Their Own turns one.
By Racket Staff
https://racketmn.com/jim-gaffigan-italian-flicks-queer-soup-night-this-weeks-best-events

2025.02.27

The quiet Massachusetts towns that sparked a revolution
Annika S Hipple
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-the-quiet-massachusetts-towns-that-sparked-a-revolution

Edward II: Did a gay love affair spark a 14th-Century royal crisis?
Nick Levine
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250226-edward-ii-did-a-gay-love-affair-spark-a-14th-century-royal-crisis

Stonehenge-like circle unearthed in Denmark may have links to UK
Archaeologists suggest ‘woodhenge’ was built between 2600 and 1600BC on similar axis to English stone circle
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/26/stonehenge-circle-unearthed-denmark-woodhenge

‘It’s been a lifesaver’: millions risk going hungry as Republicans propose slashing food stamps
Snap helps more than 42 million people, and is considered the country’s most effective tool to fight hunger
Victoria Namkung
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/snap-foodstamps-republicans-propose-cuts

Formerly anti-vax parents on how they changed their minds: ‘I really made a mistake’
Researchers believe personal stories are more persuasive than facts alone in addressing vaccine skepticism
Adrienne Matei
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/feb/27/how-anti-vax-parents-changed-their-minds

Jeff Bezos is muzzling the Washington Post’s opinion section. That’s a death knell Margaret Sullivan https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/26/jeff-bezos-washington-post-opinion

Trump administration memo orders Pentagon to identify and fire transgender members of US military
Memo says ‘service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the military’ in Trump’s latest attack on trans rights
Chris Stein and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/27/transgender-us-military-personnel-pentagon-memo-stood-down-trump-administration

Gene Hackman and wife’s deaths ‘suspicious enough’ for investigation, warrant says
Warrant raises questions about scattered pills, after Betsy Arakawa’s body had ‘mummification in hands’
Ed Pilkington
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-cause-of-death-investigation

Obituary
Gene Hackman obituary
Prolific Hollywood character actor who won Oscars for The French Connection and Unforgiven
Brian Baxter
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/27/gene-hackman-obituary

Michelle Trachtenberg, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl actor, dies aged 39
The actor was found at a New York apartment on Wednesday, with the cause of death unknown but not being treated as suspicious
Benjamin Lee
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/26/michelle-trachtenberg-dead

2025.02.26

First measles death reported in west Texas as outbreak worsens Highly contagious disease spreads across nine counties in region where 14% of children are exempt from vaccination
Ed Pilkington and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/texas-measles-outbreak-cases

Fresh doubt cast on authenticity of Rubens painting in National Gallery
Exclusive: Art historian points to ‘bad craftsmanship’ in supposedly 17th-century work entitled Samson and Delilah
Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/feb/26/fresh-doubt-cast-on-authenticity-of-rubens-painting-in-national-gallery-samson-and-delilah

‘Homegrown’ Swedish battery startup admits importing vital components
Northvolt, which claims to run Europe’s first homegrown gigafactory, admits it depends on Chinese suppliers for cathode active material
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/26/homegrown-swedish-battery-startup-admits-importing-vital-components

A White Lotus actor’s guide to Thailand Mayra Peralta https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250225-a-white-lotus-actors-guide-to-thailand

Koh Mak: The tiny island that’s redefining travel to Thailand Ron Emmons https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250220-koh-mak-the-tiny-island-thats-redefining-travel-to-thailand

2025.02.25

US threatens permanent visa bans on trans athletes based on sex markers Exclusive: State department memo directs officers to bar those deemed to misrepresent birth sex on applications Joseph Gedeon in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/visa-ban-transgender-athletes

How to change your settings to make yourself less valuable to Meta https://johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com/

Federal bill couples ending taxes on tips with banning sub-minimum wage Democrats in Nevada push bill that would provide further relief for tipped workers who can be paid as little as $2.13 Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/25/nevada-end-taxes-on-tips

Mars once had an ocean with sandy beaches, researchers say China’s Zhurong rover finds evidence of shoreline buried deep underground Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/24/mars-ocean-sandy-beaches-radar-data-suggests

Early poems about Merlin portray him as environmentalist, say scholars Re-examination of Welsh poems dating back to 10th century show Myrddin as prophet concerned by human interactions with nature Steven Morris https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/25/early-poems-about-merlin-portray-him-as-environmentalist-say-scholars

Grace Slick on sex, drugs and Jefferson Airplane: ‘I was sober in the 80s. That was a mistake’
Tim Jonze
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/25/grace-slick-on-sex-drugs-and-jefferson-airplane-i-was-sober-in-the-80s-that-was-a-mistake

‘My life expectancy is short’: America’s most vulnerable – in pictures From train hoppers to addicts and prostitutes, Mark Laita’s photo series unpicks the complex life stories of those who exist on society’s fringe Mee-Lai Stone https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/feb/25/mark-laita-america-most-vulnerable-in-pictures

Seven planets to be visible in night sky for last time until 2040 Maddie Molloy https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd4z15r54o

2025.02.24

Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88 Much-loved singer known for Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, had suffered a stroke in 2016 Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Safi Bugel https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88

Mitch McConnell is retiring from US politics. Good riddance
Moira Donegan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/24/mitch-mcconnell-is-retiring-from-us-politics-good-riddance

2,000 year old book about Roman emperors enters bestseller charts The Lives of the Caesars, translated from Latin by The Rest Is History podcast co-host Tom Holland, details everything from ancient policy failures to sex scandals Ella Creamer https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/24/book-sex-scandals-roman-emperors-bestseller-charts-the-lives-of-the-caesars-tom-holland

‘It stirred the people to breathless wonder and scalding abuse’: The tumultuous history of the Sydney Opera House Myles Burke https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250221-the-tumultuous-history-of-the-sydney-opera-house

‘The flying bum’: can a UK firm making huge airships finally get off the ground?Airlander maker HAV scales up to build world’s biggest aircraft, which it says will have 90% lower emissions than a conventional plane Jasper Jolly https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/24/the-flying-bum-uk-firm-airships-airlander-hav

2025.02.21

Advocates decry judge’s removal of editorial critical of Mississippi leaders Judge issues restraining order over local paper’s editorial commenting on city council convening without notice Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/mississippi-editorial-judge

Elon Musk in row with Danish astronaut over claim Biden abandoned ISS pair Musk claimed without evidence Nasa’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were left stranded on orbital outpost for ‘political reasons’ Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent and Agence France-Presse https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/21/elon-musk-butch-wilmore-suni-williams-nasa-astronaut-iss-claims-biden

‘Life-changing’ gene therapy for children born blind Smitha Mundasad https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ydnz2d75xo

Review A Thousand Blows review – the irresistible new boxing drama from the Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s latest series is a hugely fun journey into the murky world of Victorian bare-knuckle fighting. It’s a ripping yarn full of audacious dialogue Lucy Mangan https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/21/a-thousand-blows-review-the-irresistible-new-boxing-drama-from-the-peaky-blinders-creator

‘Avatar’ Sequel Series ‘Seven Havens’ Ordered at Nickelodeon, Set After ‘Legend of Korra’ By Joe Otterson https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/avatar-last-airbender-seven-havens-animated-series-nickelodeon-1236313495/

The sweet Dutch sandwich that makes no sense Deborah Nicholls-Lee https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250220-hageslag-dutch-sandwich

Scotch makers condemn English single malt whisky proposal Mitchell Labiak & Dearbail Jordan https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80yr1e4328o

Rare sketch portrait found in US wheelie bin Paul Burnell https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydwgxl4dwo

2025.02.20

The sweet smell of hindsight in the morning!
Some Democrats now admit they screwed up by voting for Trump’s nominees Oliver Willis, author https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/2/20/2304999/-These-Senate-Democrats-regret-voting-to-confirm-Trump-s-awful-nominees?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_1&pm_medium=web

Are CEOs walking away from civic leadership? The answer depends on who you ask, but there’s no doubt the obstacles to CEO involvement in civic affairs are multiplying. by Liz Fedor https://www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-business/2025/02/are-ceos-walking-away-from-civic-leadership/

Minnesota colleges and public schools shaken as Trump takes aim at education Colleges and K-12 schools that fail to eliminate DEI practices and ‘wokeness’ threatened by funding cuts. by Ana Radelat https://www.minnpost.com/education/2025/02/minnesota-colleges-and-public-schools-shaken-as-trump-takes-aim-at-education/

Delta offers $30,000 to passengers in Canada plane flip – ‘no strings attached’ Plane caught fire and flipped at Toronto’s Pearson airport, hospitalizing 21 of 80 people onboard Jessica Glenza https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/delta-payments-toronto-plane-crash

Wot? No cherry on top? Let’s be clear – the US never had moral supremacy. With Trump, it’s not even pretending any more Owen Jones https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/20/us-moral-supremacy-donald-trump-president

Historic US ocean liner moves out of Philadelphia after nearly 30 years
The SS United States, once the largest passenger ship built entirely in the US, has been towed from Philadelphia after nearly 30 years.
Launched in 1951, the ship was a symbol of luxury and innovation, carrying nearly a million passengers before its retirement in 1969.
Now on its way to Alabama, it will be intentionally sunk to form the world’s largest artificial reef.
This transformation aims to support marine life and attract divers to the site.
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cx2gkxwpgggo

First pharaoh’s tomb found in Egypt since Tutankhamun’s
Frances Mao
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym30v356po

Hotdogs and motorways: The ripples created by Denmark’s Ozempic and Wegovy boom Adrienne Murray https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250220-hotdogs-and-motorways-the-ripples-created-by-denmarks-ozempic-and-wegovy-boom

2025.02.19

Dustin Nelson also reports: “Paul Simon unretired a day after performing with Sabrina Carpenter during the ‘Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special’ and … will bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to Minneapolis for three nights at the Orpheum Theatre on April 20, 22, and 23.” Via MinnPost

Trump cuts threaten a ‘generation of scientists’ as many weigh leaving US President’s call to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ has led to slashes in NIH funding – endangering jobs and vital research Hannah Harris Green https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/trump-nih-funding-scientists

Factchecking Donald Trump’s claims about the war in Ukraine As US-Russia talks continue in Saudi Arabia, we look at the US president’s misleading and outright false statements Jakub Krupa and Pjotr Sauer https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/factchecking-donald-trump-claims-war-ukraine

DoJ prosecutors ordered to explain Eric Adams corruption indictment dismissal Federal judge asks prosecutors to explain decision in court as Hochul discusses removing mayor with party leaders George Joseph https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/eric-adams-doj-prosecutors-hochul

Thousands rescued from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar as Thailand launches huge crackdown Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have become havens for criminal syndicates operating online scam operations and tricking thousands into enslaved work Leila Goldstein https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/myanmar-scam-call-centre-compound-rescues-thailand-crackdown

Environment more crucial than genes in risk of early death, study suggests Analysis of UK BioBank data shows importance of factors including living conditions and smoking, say experts Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/19/environment-more-crucial-genetics-explaining-risk-early-death-study

The people who can’t develop Alzheimer’s – but could be key to a cure
A man who was the only member of his blood family to avoid getting Alzheimer’s is shedding light on how the disease unfolds
Scientists have long been trying to understand the root cause of Alzheimer’s
Clare Wilson
https://inews.co.uk/news/science/people-cant-develop-alzheimers-cure-3539671

Life and style ‘Gaba is the off switch of the brain’: Is it also the answer to better sleep, sobriety and less anxiety? Products that enhance the uptake of this neurotransmitter are burgeoning – including drinks that mimic the effects of alcohol, without the hangover. Here’s what happened when I tried them Steve Rose https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/19/gaba-is-the-off-switch-of-the-brain-is-it-also-the-answer-to-better-sleep-sobriety-and-less-anxiety

Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay María Ramírez https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/19/spain-economy-booming-migration-gdp-growth

Why are Americans toasting their fairy bread, and can the New York Times stop them? The delicacy for kids (and adults alike) requires just three ingredients – so how can people be getting the sacred recipe so wrong? Rafqa Touma explains it to Caitlin Cassidy https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/feb/20/why-are-americans-toasting-their-fairy-bread-and-can-the-new-york-times-stop-them

2025.02.18

A quarter of US shoppers have dumped favorite stores over political stances A new poll also found that four in 10 Americans have shifted spending to align with moral views in recent months Lauren Aratani in New York https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/shoppers-political-boycotts-spending-patterns-poll

No evidence of hate crime in killing of US transgender man, authorities say Five people charged with murder in Sam Nordquist’s death in upstate New York also identified as LGBTQ+, say officials “A felony complaint obtained by 13WHAM provides gut-wrenching details of Nordquist’s brutal killing. Authorities say he was tortured and sexually assaulted using a table leg and broomsticks.

He was also reportedly subjected to repeated, prolonged beatings which included being punched, kicked and struck with various objects such as sticks, belts, ropes, dog toys and canes, ultimately leading to his death.'” Anna Betts https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/sam-nordquist-killing-hate-crime

‘He targeted me’: Guy Pearce says he ‘sobbed’ over Kevin Spacey encounters The Oscar-nominated actor has said he is attempting to be more candid about his former co-star’s alleged behaviour Catherine Shoard https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/18/guy-pearce-kevin-spacey

Republican proposes making Trump’s birthday a public holiday Claudia Tenney’s bill combining Flag Day with Trump’s birthday could face steep odds of success in Congress Ramon Antonio Vargas https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/trump-birthday-holiday-republican-bill

Acting social security head who denied access to Musk team leaves agency Michelle King opts to retire after 30 years rather than grant request by ‘department of government efficiency’ Jessica Glenza https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/18/musk-social-security-administration-michelle-king

Why did a plane crash in Toronto, and how did everyone survive? James FitzGerald https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2dnnvvjkeo

Passenger films his escape from upside down crashed plane
A passenger has filmed his escape from an upside down plane after it skidded along a runway during a failed landing.
Video from inside the crashed plane at Toronto airport shows passengers clambering over belongings and seats to exit the aircraft. Crew on board the flight can be heard telling people to leave everything behind as they are helped through a plane door. All passengers survived when the plane skidded and overturned when it came into land. Footage on social media shows the aircraft in flames as it careered along the runway. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c0lzl2ekrk5o

Authorities to give update after plane crashes and flips in Toronto https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0q080y02xgt

New footage of Delta plane flip at Toronto airport

2025.02.17

A kitchen in Rome Pasta Rachel Roddy’s recipe for hazelnut and mushroom ragu with pasta Its origins may be a mystery, but what is certain is that this luxuriant alternative to meat ragu is totally delicious Rachel Roddy https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/feb/17/hazelnut-mushroom-ragu-recipe-pasta-rachel-roddy

Is it true that … retinol thins the skin? Side effects from using the vitamin A derivative may give people the wrong impression about how it works Kate Lloyd https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/17/is-it-true-that-retinol-thins-the-skin

Lewis Carroll collection given to his Oxford college in surprise US donation
Exclusive: Christ Church college taken aback to receive hundreds of the author’s letters, photos and rare items
Dalya Alberge
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/16/lewis-carroll-oxford-surprise-us-donation