From Jon Bream at the Star Tribune: “It’s official: The controversial nine-hour authorized Prince documentary directed by Oscar-winning Ezra Edelman for Netflix will not be released.” Via MinnPost https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/02/minnesota-ag-to-sue-trump-administration-over-doge/

Prince estate blocks release of Netflix documentary by Oscar-winning director Ezra Edelman Nine-hour film will not be seen, after ‘mutual agreement’ between estate and Netflix, with estate announcing plans for its own film Ben Beaumont-Thomas https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/07/prince-estate-blocks-release-of-netflix-documentary-by-oscar-winning-director-ezra-edelman

Interview New DNC vice-chair David Hogg on reaching young voters: ‘We need to be a tsunami of content’ Joan E Greve in Washington https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/07/dnc-vice-chair-david-hogg

Sweden plans to tighten gun laws in wake of Örebro mass shooting ‘We have to ensure that only the right people have guns in Sweden,’ says the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/07/sweden-to-tighten-gun-laws-in-wake-of-orebro-mass-shooting

Detox your kitchen: three things you can do right now to avoid toxic chemicals Pfas and microplastics lurk everywhere – from pots and pans to storage containers and utensils. These simple changes are a first step in reducing them quickly Tom Perkins https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/07/how-to-remove-pfas-microplastics-chemicals-kitchen

Dana Ferguson at MPR News reports: “A nearly four-week standoff over control in the Minnesota House appears to be near an end, with Democrats and Republicans planning to announce a deal on Thursday. The House has been unable to convene as Democrats have boycotted since the Jan. 14 session start and Republicans couldn’t muster the 68 members to conduct business.” Via MinnPost https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/05/minnesota-house-dfl-gop-say-they-have-agreement-to-end-stalemate

The Strib’s Deena Miller reports: “The city of Minneapolis is poised to settle another batch of workers’ compensation cases with police officers, including one who cost the city over $400,000 in legal fees after he was sued for beating people up while off duty.” Via MinnPost
https://www.minnpost.com/glean/2025/02/dfl-gop-come-to-agreement-over-control-of-the-minnesota-house/

Winona man sentenced in sextortion scheme involving minors By KTTC Staff https://www.kttc.com/2025/02/05/winona-man-sentenced-sextortion-scheme-involving-minors/

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. Kansas reckons with large tuberculosis outbreak as health officials hamstrung Experts fear consequences of Trump’s restrictions on CDC as state sees one of largest outbreaks ever recorded in US Melody Schreiber https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/06/kansas-tuberculosis-public-health

US health department condemns private equity firms for role in declining healthcare access Government report says private equity investment in nursing homes led to 11% increase in patient deaths Hannah Harris Green https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/06/private-equity-healthcare

Nothing to see here either, folks. Move along. Hottest January on record mystifies climate scientists EU monitor says global temperatures were 1.75C above preindustrial levels, extending run of unprecedented highs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/06/hottest-january-on-record-climate-scientists-global-temperatures-high

US supreme court may revive doctrine that would curb federal agencies’ power Case on nondelegation doctrine comes after conservative court substantially curbed regulatory power in recent years Tom Perkins https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/06/nondelegation-doctrine-supreme-court

Lost cities of the Amazon: how science is revealing ancient garden towns hidden in the rainforest Archaeologists using 3D mapping are uncovering the remains of thousands of green metropolises with composted gardens, fisheries, and forests groomed into orchards By Mac Margolis in Rio de Janeiro and Belém, Brazil https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/06/ancient-garden-cities-amazon-indigenous-technologies-archaeology-lost-civilisations-environment-terra-preta

It’s clear why Trump blames DEI for everything Judith Levine Everyone but the credulous media seems to understand what’s behind Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/04/trump-dei-judith-levine

Neil Gaiman: accuser files civil lawsuit alleging rape, sexual assault and human trafficking Author’s former nanny accuses him of sexual assault and his estranged wife Amanda Palmer of ‘procuring’ her to be abused Sian Cain and agencies https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/04/neil-gaiman-accuser-files-civil-lawsuit-rape-sexual-assault-allegations-ntwnfb

No worries ifn you ain’t a believer in Climate Change — your insurance company is. State Farm seeks emergency 22% rate hike in California after LA wildfires State’s largest home insurer, which has paid customers over $1bn, claims fires put firm under increased financial strain Marina Dunbar https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/state-farm-emergency-insurance-hike-california-wildfires

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo says Trump tariffs could hit profits by $200m UK drinks company considering possible price rises as shares fall despite strong Guinness sales Julia Kollewe https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/04/johnnie-walker-owner-diageo-trump-sales-recovery

Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot in the works with Sarah Michelle Gellar returning to the titular role Oscar-winning director – and longtime Buffy fan – Chloé Zhao is onboard to direct, with Dolly Parton as executive producer Sian Cain https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/04/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-reboot-sarah-michelle-gellar-returning-hulu

The draining of Glacial Lake Agassiz Between 17,000 and 21,000 years ago the last North American glacier reached its maximum depth and extent, covering all but the southeast corner of Minnesota. by Paul Nelson https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2025/02/the-draining-of-glacial-lake-agassiz/

‘Crisis communications’: emails show how NFL’s Saints and NBA’s Pelicans helped New Orleans church spin abuse scandal Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/feb/03/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-investigation

Unearthed emails detail how the sports franchises’ owner and PR team counseled archdiocese on how to respond to unfolding clergy-abuse case

• Here are prominent people named in the Saints clergy-abuse emails https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-involved
• What Saints and church officials said, and what their emails say https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/feb/03/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-emails
• The Saints clergy-abuse emails: five takeaways from our investigation https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-takeaways

An omega-3 dose a day could slow ageing process, ‘healthspan’ trial finds Daily gram of essential fatty acid leads to ‘three to four months rejuvenation of biological age’ over three years Ian Sample Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/03/an-omega-3-dose-a-day-could-slow-ageing-process-healthspan-trial-finds

People flee Santorini as earthquake fears grow Residents and tourists scramble to leave Greek island on ferries and planes after ‘barrage’ of tremors Helena Smith in Athens https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/03/people-flee-santorini-as-earthquake-fears-grow

Republicans move to repeal lead limits imposed by Biden-era rules US government would be prohibited from ever mandating lead pipe replacement or lowering lead limits in water Tom Perkins https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/republicans-lead-exposure-rules

A new start after 60: I wanted to retire from farming – but never dreamed I would become an artist On holiday in the American south, John Ingall discovered that one of the local crops was being turned into remarkable works of art. So he went home, grew his own gourds and set about transforming them – and himself Paula Cocozza https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/03/a-new-start-after-60-i-wanted-to-retire-from-farming-but-never-dreamed-i-would-become-an-artist

How fortunes turned flat at Johnnie Walker and Guinness owner Diageo With crucial results looming, investors fear 25 years of dividend growth may stall this week as drinks firm battles major headwinds Rob Davies https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/03/how-fortunes-turned-flat-at-johnnie-walker-and-guinness-owner-diageo

Ken Martin elected new chair of Democratic National Committee Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor chair to lead party still reeling from extensive losses Joan E Greve https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/01/ken-martin-chair-democratic-national-committee

Thousands flee homes as floods hit Australia Simon Atkinson https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4z2py8448o

How the climate is changing the taste of beer By William Park https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250131-how-the-climate-is-changing-the-taste-of-beer

Meet the world’s first recipient of an AI-powered bionic arm Sarah De Lagarde lost an arm and a leg after being run over by two trains in London. Now, she is the recipient of the world’s first AI-powered bionic arm. The arm’s software learns and improves over time, becoming better at predicting her movements the more she uses it. Video by Enclave Films https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0kk9s45/meet-the-world-s-first-recipient-of-an-ai-powered-bionic-arm

Mark Kennedy at the Associated Press is reporting Karla Sofía Gascón, the Oscar-nominated trans actor and star of the movie “Emilia Pérez,” is apologizing for her old posts on social media that denigrated Islam and that called George Floyd “a drug addict and a hustler.” Via MinnPost https://apnews.com/article/karla-sofia-gascon-apology-emilia-perez-16141014a6708add9e049fe2b6526110

Strike averted at Costco as Teamsters reach a tentative deal Some 18,000 employees across the country were poised to walk out after union negotiations stalled Michael Sainato https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/01/costco-workers-strike

Support letter for RFK Jr’s confirmation includes signatures of doctors with suspended or revoked licenses Meant to lend credibility to his nomination to head HHS, the letter is signed by some doctors disciplined for not following Covid guidelines Via AP https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/01/rfk-jr-support-letter-doctors

DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Grok … which is the best AI assistant? We put them to the test Chatbots we tested can write a mean sonnet and struggled with images of clocks, but vary in willingness to talk politics Dan Milmo Global technology editor https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/01/deepseek-chatgpt-grok-gemini-claude-meta-ai-which-is-the-best-ai-assistant-we-put-them-to-the-test

Bullets and blues: Louis Armstrong’s difficult upbringing revealed after discovery of family police records A new book reveals the jazz musician’s mother and sister were arrested several times for prostitution in New Orleans Dalya Alberge https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/01/bullets-and-blues-louis-armstrongs-difficult-upbringing-revealed-after-discovery-of-family-police-records

Declutter, add a flat sheet and turn down the heat: Hoteliers reveal how to get the best night’s sleep…at home Hospitality experts, sleep consultants and interior designers share their tips for creating dream conditions in your bedroom Lucy Pavia https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/01/declutter-add-a-flat-sheet-and-turn-down-the-heat-hoteliers-reveal-how-to-get-the-best-nights-sleepat-home

Huldufólk: Iceland’s mythical world of hidden people Video by David Godi https://bbc.com/reel/video/p0f5xqv0/hulduf-lk-iceland-s-mythical-world-of-hidden-people

Not the usual dog bites man story: Queensland man attacked by ‘massive’ kangaroo estimated to be 2m tall and weigh 100kg Authorities say the quick actions of his neighbour helped save the man’s life after he suffered serious injuries Sharlotte Thou https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/30/queensland-kangaroo-attack-willows-near-rockhampton

I taught rats to drive a car, and it may help us lead happier lives Kelly Lambert https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241128-i-taught-rats-to-drive-a-car-and-it-may-help-us-lead-happier-lives

Another thing Baby^TM Hitler can blame Biden for: Asteroid triggers global defence plan amid chance of collision with Earth in 2032 Hundred-metre wide asteroid rises to top of impact risk lists after being spotted in December by automated telescope Ian Sample Science editor https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/30/asteroid-spotted-chance-colliding-with-earth-2032

I think it’s amazing that an elderly man like Chuck Grassley can give Kash Patel a BJ in the Senate with the whole world watching, though some might just call it an ass-kissing.

Alicia Eler at the Star Tribune reports: “Experts in New York … may have discovered a previously unknown Vincent van Gogh portrait of a fisherman. … the painting first surfaced a few years ago at a garage sale in Minnesota and was sold to an antiques collector for less than $50.” Via MinnPost

Two Feeding Our Future defendants plea guilty as trial approaches Brothers Abdulkadir Nur Salah and Abdi Salah admit to stealing a few million dollars in federal money earmarked to feed underprivileged children. by Joey Peters https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/feeding-our-future-guilty-plea-aimee-bock-trial/

Stage adaptation of Coraline cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman Producers say it is ‘impossible to continue’ with musical that was due to be staged at Leeds Playhouse from April Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jan/29/stage-adaptation-of-coraline-cancelled-after-allegations-against-neil-gaiman

Minnesota Pride group raises $50,000 after dropping Target as a sponsor Non-profit that organizes annual Minneapolis festival cut ties with retailer after 18 years after it drops DEI policies Lauren Aratani https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/29/minnesota-twin-cities-pride-target-sponsor

It’s too bad we don’t do medical research no more! ‘Groundbreaking’: scientists develop patch that can repair damaged hearts Cells taken from blood and ‘reprogrammed’ into heart muscle cells may help patients with heart failure Nicola Davis Science correspondent https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/29/scientists-develop-patch-repair-damage-heart-failure

Watch: Shetland skies set alight in Europe’s largest fire festival
https://bbc.com/news/videos/czrl1yn3032o

‘We see young Philippa return to her home village, exhausted after countless rounds of brutal fighting, tasked now with severing her personal attachments, which she succeeds at by giving her family a painful, slow death by infodump.’
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2025/01/what-hell-star-trek.html?m=1

I’ve heard that US AI firms are accusing Chinese DeepSeek AI of stealing their stolen, err, purloined IP for training.

Happy New Year! BBC weather presenter Sabrina Lee explains what Lunar New Year is and why many people around the world will be celebrating it. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/ce8j08q95e7o