Category Archives: TV

2026.01.06

A major deployment of Department of Homeland Security agents is underway in the Twin Cities, according to CBS News. “The crackdown could involve roughly 2,000 agents … The plan is for the agents and officers to oversee a 30-day surge in operations in the Twin Cities area, making the region the first major target of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration crackdown in the new year, officials said. Agents deployed from Homeland Security Investigations are expected to probe alleged cases of fraud, building on last month’s inspection of dozens of sites in the Minneapolis area.” Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minneapolis-federal-agents-crackdown/

What are we supposed to make of Tim Walz not running for a third term?
The governor’s remarks Monday were an admission that Medicaid fraud has subsumed his administration.
by Matthew Blake
https://www.minnpost.com/state-government/2026/01/what-are-we-supposed-to-make-of-tim-walz-not-running-for-a-third-term-re-election/

Now that Gov. Tim Walz has dropped out of the race for a third term as Minnesota’s governor, there is a lot of speculation surrounding possible Democratic candidates. MPR News has the latest on who’s in, who’s out and who might be considering a run. MinnPost’s Washington, D.C. correspondent Ana Radelat also has some insight on possible candidates.  Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/05/who-is-running-for-minnesota-governor-in-2026-with-tim-walz-out

Amy Klobuchar, other Dems eye a run for governor in wake of Walz decision
Secretary of State Steve Simon and Attorney General Keith Ellison are among the Democrats weighing the opportunity.
by Ana Radelat
https://www.minnpost.com/national/washington/2026/01/as-walz-bows-out-of-governors-race-amy-klobuchar-other-dems-eye-a-run/

Could a Minnesota governor appoint themself to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat?
by Brian Arola
https://www.minnpost.com/fact-briefs/2026/01/could-a-minnesota-governor-appoint-themself-to-fill-a-vacant-u-s-senate-seat/

Trump suggests US taxpayers could reimburse oil firms for Venezuela investment
President says a ‘tremendous amount of money’ will need to be spent repairing country’s infrastructure
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/06/trump-us-taxpayers-oil-firms-venezuela-investment

US justice department has released less than 1% of Epstein files, filing reveals
Federal law required majority of documents to be released by 19 December, but only 125,575 pages have been published
Richard Luscombe
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/06/epstein-files-release-justice-department

January 6, five years on: sustained effort by Trump to rewrite history
President and Republican allies have tried to make sure the deadly attack on the Capitol has been erased from memory
Sam Levine
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/06/january-6-trump-us-capitol-attack

US will be exempt from global tax deal targeting profits of large multinationals
Agreement finalised by the OECD waters down a landmark 2021 deal that set a minimum global corporate tax of 15%
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/06/us-exemption-oecd-global-tax-deal-multinational-companies

Many schools don’t think students can read full novels anymore. That’s a tragedy
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/06/many-schools-are-assigning-excerpts-of-novels-to-read-instead-of-full-books-why

Arizona supreme court evacuated after package tests positive for explosives
Department of education, across the street from the supreme court, also evacuated
Abené Clayton
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/05/arizona-supreme-court-evacuated-package-explosives

Narnia! Dune! Charli xcx! The 2026 films Guardian writers are most excited about
From much-anticipated sequels to music mockumentaries to auteur returns, the next 12 months offers up a wide variety of intriguing new movies
Andrew Pulver, Adrian Horton, Veronica Esposito, Benjamin Lee, Jesse Hassenger, Radheyan Simonpillai, Andrew Lawrence, Richard Lawson and Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jan/06/new-film-releases-2026

The strangest thing: is the future of cinema … not new movies?
Netflix’s big-screen release of the Stranger Things finale is estimated to have made over $25m at the US box office, the latest example of event cinema proving popular
Jesse Hassenger
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jan/06/non-traditional-cinema-releases

Industry season four review – truly twisted, top-tier television
It may only be January, but you already know this banking drama is going to be one of the year’s best shows – a daring, debauched and jaw-dropping treat
Hannah J Davies
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jan/06/industry-season-four-review-bbc-one-iplayer-hbo-binge

Snow, ice and a penguin count: photos of the day – Tuesday
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2026/jan/06/snow-ice-and-a-penguin-count-photos-of-the-day-tuesday

2026.01.05

Tim Walz says he will not run for third term as Minnesota governor
Announcement comes after ongoing fraud of social services cases became focus of ire for Republicans and Trump
Rachel Leingang in Minneapolis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/05/tim-walz-minnesota-governor-reelection

The Bulwark on Walz: https://youtu.be/CHYxi3J3blY

Nekima Levy Armstrong: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BquuJ3ALv/

“President Donald Trump on Saturday evening promoted a false conspiracy theory surrounding the assassinations of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in June of last year,” reports Bring Me The News. “The post falsely suggests that Hortman was slain by alleged gunman Vance Boelter because she voted to end MinnesotaCare access for undocumented adults in Minnesota. The video makes other false claims concerning Gov. Tim Walz.” 
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/president-trump-promotes-false-conspiracy-theory-about-melissa-hortmans-murder

‘The perfect storm’: Trump has left the US less prepared for natural disasters, experts say
Emergency managers say the US president has presided over a dangerous erosion in US capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters
Gabrielle Canon
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/04/donald-trump-disaster-response-preparedness

In ending, Stranger Things committed TV’s ultimate crime
It felt like a punishing endurance test, coming to a head countless times … and yet it’s not over. Where the Upside Down is concerned, it’s never over
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jan/05/stranger-things-finale-committed-tv-ultimate-crime-netflix

2025.12.31

Beer alternatives from around the world: https://youtu.be/cQ01gCIPit4

What is norovirus and how contagious is it?
Symptoms of the virus include diarrhea and vomiting and it infects about 684 million people globally every year
Adrienne Matei
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/dec/30/what-is-norovirus-and-how-contagious-is-it

We sacrificed 14 shirts to find the best stain remover in the US, for spills from wine to oil
Even the messiest eaters can find stain fighters for every laundry nightmare, all tested against 10 common culprits
Jenny McGrath
https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2025/dec/30/best-stain-removers-laundry-tested

The man taking over the Large Hadron Collider – only to switch it off
Next head of Cern backs massive replacement for world’s largest machine to investigate mysteries of the universe
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/31/large-hadron-collider-head-of-cern-mark-thomson

‘It’s not a hen party hellscape’: Dublin’s Temple Bar strives to shake off its bad reputation
Despite reviews of the district as a raucous tourist trap, improved policing has restored safety and an eclectic vibe
Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/31/dublin-temple-bar-renaissance-not-hen-party-hellscape

Burkina Faso and Mali ban US nationals in retaliation to Trump’s visa decision
Announcements mark latest twist in the frosty relationship between west African military governments and the US
Guardian staff and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/31/mali-burkina-faso-retaliatory-travel-ban-us-nationals

Five tech trends we’ll be watching in 2026
From datacenters to AI, we’ll be keeping our eye on the technology that will be shaping your life in the coming year
Blake Montgomery
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/dec/30/five-tech-trends-well-be-watching-in-2026

The 50 best films of 2025 in the UK
https://www.theguardian.com/film/ng-interactive/2025/dec/08/the-50-best-films-of-2025-in-the-uk

The 50 best TV shows of 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/ng-interactive/2025/dec/10/the-50-best-tv-shows-of-2025

New Year’s Eve live:​ Sydney fireworks ring in 2026 as Asia sees in the new year ahead of Europe and the US
Yohannes Lowe (now) and Robyn Vinter (earlier)
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/live/2025/dec/31/new-years-eve-2026-world-ring-in-live-latest#top-of-blog

My year:
Three weeks in hospital
Two months in transitional care
Lost 30 pounds
Gained new accoutrements
Ongoing PT
Solar panels installed
Four new ceiling fans
Two Bosch undersink water heaters installed
Difficulty obtaining old, old asthma drug (theophylline)
Gained a handicapped parking permit and MN cancelled my driver’s license

Happy New Year!
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/live/2025/dec/31/new-years-eve-2026-world-ring-in-live-latest?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6954efe08f083c44d70dd5d5#block-6954efe08f083c44d70dd5d5

2025.12.30

Iceland has hottest Christmas Eve ever with temperature of 19.8C recorded
Meteorological office reports high temperatures across country and record measured at Seyðisfjörður in east
Helena Horton Environment reporter
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/30/iceland-record-temperatures-christmas-eve-met-office-seyisfjorur

Five charts that explain the global economic outlook for 2026
Inflation is predicted to cool but uncertainty over AI-driven growth and trade policy poses risks in the year ahead
Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/dec/30/five-charts-that-explain-the-global-economic-outlook-for-2026

Top 5 local news stories of 2025: Feeding Our Future, immigration and fraud
Aimee Bock was convicted at trial this year, immigration detainees said they’re being held in detention for long periods of time and Minneapolis attempts to enforce police reforms.
by Joey Peters
https://sahanjournal.com/news/top-5-local-news-stories-2025-feeding-our-future-immigration/

Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway predict: https://youtu.be/98aQh7e6qh0

George Clooney and wife Amal granted French citizenship
The actor said privacy laws protecting children from paparazzi were a key factor in the family’s decision
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/29/george-clooney-wife-amal-granted-french-citizenship

‘A total knockout!’ The best television you never watched in 2025
From the most beautiful show Netflix has ever made to a thriller about a menopausal hitwoman and a dazzling documentary set in outer space, here are some TV gems that may have passed you by this year
Kate Abbott, Alexi Duggins, Phil Harrison, Stuart Heritage and Hollie Richardson
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/29/a-total-knockout-the-best-television-you-never-watched-in-2025

‘There is a crack in everything’: capturing the dark of winter – in pictures
How do you photograph darkness? A question Sarah Lee considers with her work as the nights draw in: ‘I’ve always been drawn to photographing the darkness as the winter months draw in after the clocks go back and we head towards the solstice. I wondered why that was given that the world itself seems so dark at the moment. I realised this year that it is not the darkness I’m photographing, but, rather, the light. Always the light.’
Sarah Lee
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/dec/30/there-is-a-crack-in-everything-capturing-the-dark-of-winter-in-pictures

The Pitt to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: 12 of the best TV shows to watch this January (Paywalled)
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251224-12-of-the-best-tv-shows-to-watch-this-january

Will came out in Stranger Things, but did we like it?
The internet is, um, divided on the long-awaited scene.
Rachel Shatto
https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/stranger-things-will#rebelltitem1

2025.12.14

‘Like a mini Louvre’: two generations of Rothschilds fight over treasure trove of artworks
Baronesses Nadine and Ariane de Rothschild at odds over future of Swiss chateau’s priceless contents
Kim Willsher in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/14/like-a-mini-louvre-two-generations-of-rothschilds-fight-over-treasure-trove-of-artworks

Two girls, 9 and 11, awarded $31.5m after sister’s California torture death
Arabella McCormack, 11, died after being tortured and starved by adoptive family and police and church failed to intervene
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/13/adopted-girl-torture-death-california-settlement

Review
The Revenge Club review – this starry divorce caper makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time
Martin Compston and Meera Syal are among the names in this tale of divorcees hitting back at their exes. It’s a thriller, comedy and psychodrama all at once – but could maybe do with being more simple
Lucy Mangan
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/12/the-revenge-club-review-this-starry-divorce-caper-makes-you-want-to-laugh-and-cry-at-the-same-time

Washington state flood waters receding after days of rescues and evacuations
No fatalities reported in flooding, which prompted Trump to approve emergency declaration request from governor
Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/13/washington-state-flood-waters-recede

Psychedelic treatments show promise for OCD while cannabis doesn’t, review finds
Psychiatry professor theorizes that the difference is related to how the substances interact with areas of the brain
Hannah Harris Green
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/13/psychedelics-ocd-treatment-psilocybin

The Geminid meteor shower and hundreds of Santas: photos of the weekend
The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world
Arnel Hecimovic
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2025/dec/14/the-geminid-meteor-shower-and-hundreds-of-santas-photos-of-the-weekend

Bondi — It was heading for 100 degrees fondly Fahrenheit, the only time I’ve been to Bondi Beach. No shooters, though. FYI: It’s pronounced BOND-EYE Beach, not Bondy Beach. Who knew?

2025.12.09

Anybody heard of a rehearsal? Mangling nominees’ names may be traditional – but it’s still embarrassing
Yesterday’s Golden Globes announcement was a masterclass in mispronunciation that threatens to undo every effort to internationalise awards. Why can’t producers just make their presenters practise?
Stuart Heritage
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/09/anybody-heard-of-a-rehearsal-mangling-nominees-names-may-be-traditional-but-its-still-embarrassing

Review
Heated Rivalry: this horny gay ice hockey drama has everyone talking – but is it any good?
HBO’s new show is part of a wave of gay-themed romance – from Heartstopper to Red, White and Royal Blue – that desexes gay men just enough to make them palatable, like pets for young women
Tim Byrne
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/08/heated-rivalry-ice-hockey-tv-show-review

Pluribus to Alien: Earth: The 25 best TV shows of 2025
Caryn James and Hugh Montgomery
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250417-the-best-tv-shows-of-2025

‘This is the real Santa’s workshop’: a trip to Germany’s toy village
You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Seiffen, the magical ‘home of Christmas’ where they’ve been making traditional wooden toys for hundreds of years
Rebecca Smith
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/09/germanys-toy-village-seiffen-home-christmas

A new start after 60: I moved on to a boat, fell in love – then opened my own restaurant
After a lifetime of working for others, Rich Baker threw caution to the wind. The result was a national award for his pizza and a surprising surge in confidence
Paula Cocozza
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/08/new-start-after-60-moved-to-boat-fell-in-love-opened-restaurant

‘When the church door opens, it’s like a miracle’: the phone app that’s a key to Italy’s religious art
A cultural initiative in Piedmont is unlocking a trove of priceless medieval frescoes in rural churches
Lavinia Nocelli
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/08/new-app-helped-me-discover-beautiful-art-churches-chapels-piedmont-italy

We asked activists from authoritarian regimes what they wish they’d known sooner. Here’s what they said
Activists from Hungary, El Salvador and Turkey offer advice to the US about what they’ve learned about authoritarians
Danielle Renwick
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/09/experts-authoritarian-regimes-trump

Minnesota’s budget is headed for an imbalance, but who or what’s to blame? We asked economists to weigh in
Spending on health and human services is growing, but so is economic volatility from tariffs and other federal policies.
by Shadi Bushra
https://www.minnpost.com/economy/2025/12/minnesotas-budget-is-headed-for-an-imbalance-but-who-or-whats-to-blame-we-asked-economists-to-weigh-in/

The anti-materialist Christmas: Rituals around the world that swap gifts for meaning
Laura Hall
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251208-the-anti-materialist-christmas-rituals-around-the-world-that-swap-gifts-for-meaning

Pioneering new treatment reverses incurable blood cancer in some patients
James Gallagher
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj38ymeyg4mo

New mpox strain identified in England
Philippa Roxby
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2087g0z9po

2025.11.28

US regulators ‘taking seriously’ allegations of bankers’ support for Epstein
Exclusive: It follows calls from US senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate bank executives including ex-Barclays boss Jes Staley
Kalyeena Makortoff Banking correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/us-regulators-taking-seriously-allegations-of-bankers-support-for-epstein

Alabama priest leaves clergy after woman alleges ‘private companionship’ beginning when she was 17
Robert Sullivan’s self-imposed removal comes after accusations he provided financial support in exchange for arrangement which included sex
Ramon Antonio Vargas
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/28/robert-sullivan-alabama-catholic-priest

Amid ‘instability and fear’ in Trump’s economy, Americans are cutting holiday spending
In addition to rising prices and tariffs, readers cite growing unemployment as a reason not to exchange gifts this year
Lauren Aratani
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/28/trump-economy-holiday-spending

Florida professor may have solved mystery of Peru’s Band of Holes
Charles Stanish surmised indentations were rudimentary market place and later adapted as accounting and storage system
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/27/peru-band-of-holes-mystery

The Beatles Anthology: the flammed together ‘new episode’ feels totally pointless
The TV equivalent of raiding a bare cupboard, the supposed extra hour here is cobbled together from previous DVD extras – but you can’t miss the tension between Harrison and McCartney
Alexis Petridis
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/26/the-beatles-anthology-new-tv-episode-feels-pointless

Avatar: Fire and Ash to Marty Supreme: 12 of the best films to watch this December
Nicholas Barber
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251126-12-of-the-best-films-to-watch-this-december

The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation
Alex Riley
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251125-the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-appears-to-eat-radiation

Facing burnout, she chased her dream of making pie – and built an empire: ‘Pie brings us together’
She left Silicon Valley to master pie, became Hollywood’s baker and now films its healing power
Victoria Clayton
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/27/pie-movie-pieowa-beth-howard

2025.11.27

And with tomorrow’s [today’s] menu at the top of mind, did you know that Minnesota produces more turkeys than any other state? WCCO shares how we got there. Via MinnPost
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-turkey-production-thanksgiving/

Speaking of turkeys, it’s Turkey Day here in the USA. Happy Thanksgiving.

How to be a good party host (or guest)
From picking your guests (always add a random) and your outfit, to coping with drunks and nudity, this is what you need to know
Zoe Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/26/how-to-be-a-good-party-host-or-guest

‘Stay tuned’: new Anne Rice film could foretell release of unpublished work by late author
Documentary series of Interview with the Vampire writer available to stream with potential for further releases
Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/nov/27/anne-rice-author-anthology

Netflix crashes within minutes of releasing Stranger Things series five
Viewers unable to watch episodes of long-awaited final series on TV when the streaming service briefly froze
Rachel Hall
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/netflix-crashes-stranger-things-series-five

Review
Stranger Things season five review – this luxurious final run will have you standing on a chair, yelling with joy
The kids growing up might have changed this show’s appeal, but they manage to go out in a flame-throwing, bullet-dodging blaze of glory – while still being more moving than ever before
Jack Seale
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/27/stranger-things-final-season-five-review-netflix

‘We like it a lot’: how Romania created the largest deposit return scheme in the world
In the two years since the system was launched, beverage-packaging collection and recycling has risen to 94%
By Andrei Popoviciu in Bucharest, Romania
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/27/we-like-it-a-lot-how-romania-created-the-largest-deposit-return-scheme-in-the-world

‘I didn’t even know this type of attack existed’: more than 200 women allege drugging by senior French civil servant
In a case echoing the Pelicot trial, dozens of women allege they were given hot drinks mixed with a diuretic to make them urinate. Three of them speak out here
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/26/women-allege-drugging-by-senior-french-civil-servant

‘Extraordinary discovery’ at Orkney Neolithic site
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7836wvx4q4o

Novel scientific method proves pit circle near Stonehenge was man-made, say researchers
Archaeologists use multiple types of geophysics equipment to analyse ‘extraordinary structure’
Steven Morris
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/27/novel-scientific-method-proves-pit-circle-near-stonehenge-was-man-made-say-researchers

Scottish fashion designer Pam Hogg dies
Steven McIntosh
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28v743mpyo

From Paul Krugman: https://youtu.be/tJE3KDxTbWI?si=vKYHnCMiS0nDelby

2025.11.26

Trump may have inadvertently issued mass pardon for 2020 voter fraud, experts say
Pardons of Giuliani and others who took part in fake elector scheme were largely symbolic, but could have a big effect
Sam Levine in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/25/trump-voter-fraud-pardon

Review
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review – Josh O’Connor excels in another deadpan delight
Daniel Craig is joined by a sparkling array of talent including O’Connor, Glenn Close and Josh Brolin in this latest murder mystery with a religious undercurrent
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/26/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-review-josh-oconnor-excels-in-another-deadpan-delight

Do you know your Hopper from your Hellfire Club? Take our ultimate Stranger Things quiz
The final season of the epic Netflix 80s show is about to air. But how much can you remember about the world of the Upside Down? Test your knowledge with our fiendish quiz
Tom Huddleston
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/26/ultimate-stranger-things-quiz

Study claims to provide first direct evidence of dark matter
Astrophysicist Prof Tomonori Totani says research could be crucial breakthrough in search for elusive substance
Ian Sample Science editor
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/25/study-claims-to-provide-first-direct-evidence-of-dark-matter

Previously unknown Renoir painting sells for 1.8m euros at Paris auction
The oil painting depicting the artist’s son Jean had never been exhibited or sold before.
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/nov/26/unknown-renoir-painting-son-sells-18m-euros-auction

floods ravage South East Asia
Kelly Ng
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg97wx144jo

The Abandons to Fallout: Nine of the best TV shows to watch this December
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251124-nine-of-the-best-tv-shows-to-watch-this-december

John Quigley, chef to stars Bryan Adams and Tina Turner, dies
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqzylxp4ewo

Former Harvest Best basketball coach gets life sentence in child sex-abuse case
Aaron Hjermstad’s charges stem from thousands of videos authorities found in his car after he fled the state in 2021. Authorities say there could be more than 120 victims in the videos.
by Katrina Pross
https://sahanjournal.com/public-safety/youth-basketball-coach-aaron-hjermstad-gets-life-sentence/

‘Abhorrent’: St. Paul City Council member criticizes police conduct at federal arrest
St. Paul police used tear gas and pepper spray Tuesday as hundreds of demonstrators confronted them and dozens of federal agents on the city’s East Side.
by Shubhanjana Das
https://sahanjournal.com/immigration/st-paul-east-side-ice-police-arrest/

2025.11.20

There’s finally hope for new life at the former home of St. Paul’s Hamm’s Brewery
If all goes as planned, local developer JB Vang could break ground on a residential project at the Hamm’s site next year.
by Bill Lindeke
https://www.minnpost.com/cityscape/2025/11/theres-finally-hope-for-new-life-at-the-former-home-of-st-pauls-hamms-brewery/

From the mundane to the out-there, wonks on Minneapolis’ tax board have ideas for reining in your property taxes
Setting property tax rates is only one part of the job – and not the most fun part.
by Brian Martucci
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/11/from-the-mundane-to-the-out-there-wonks-on-minneapolis-tax-board-have-ideas-for-reining-in-your-property-taxes/

Hospitals and clinics are shutting down due to Trump’s healthcare cuts. Here’s where
From Georgia to Oregon, clinics and wards are closing as Trump’s health law triggers steep Medicaid cuts and rising costs
Carter Sherman
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/20/hospitals-shutdown-trump-healthcare-cuts

‘The English person with a Chinese stomach’: how Fuchsia Dunlop became a Sichuan food hero
The author has been explaining Sichuan cuisine to westerners for decades. But ‘Fu Xia’, as she’s known, has had a profound effect on food lovers in China, too
By Leslie T Chang
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/20/how-fuchsia-dunlop-became-a-sichuan-food-hero

Telling a reporter ‘quiet, piggy’ was shocking – even for Trump
Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/20/trump-quiet-piggy-reporter

Digitised official records of Nuremberg trials made available online
Launch on 80th anniversary of groundbreaking legal effort comes after 25-year project by Harvard law school library
Kate Connolly in Berlin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/20/digitised-official-records-of-nuremberg-trials-made-available-online

Nasa releases close-up pictures of comet flying by from another star system
The interstellar visitor, known as 3I/Atlas, will be seen just in this instance, never to come back again
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/nov/19/nasa-interstellar-comet-pictures

Review
Turner: The Secret Sketchbooks review – the sheer number of pornographic drawings is a big shock
JMW Turner left behind some 37,000 sketches when he died, many of which have rarely been seen. Do they – including a huge collection of explicit sketches – reveal truths about the elusive man?
Jack Seale
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/19/turner-the-secret-sketchbooks-review-bbc-two-iplayer

‘I never wanted to sing into a vacuum’: Scottish folk pioneer Dick Gaughan’s fight for his lost music
A skilled interpreter and social justice champion, Gaughan is a hero to the likes of Richard Hawley and Billy Bragg. Yet much of his work has been stuck in limbo for decades – until a determined fan stepped in
Jude Rogers
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/nov/19/i-never-wanted-to-sing-into-a-vacuum-scottish-folk-pioneer-dick-gaughans-fight-for-his-lost-music

‘We love a plastic chopstick to stir’: 10 cocktail-making tips from Australian bartender Michael Madrusan
You don’t need fancy equipment to make a martini, the founder of Melbourne’s The Everleigh says – but you do need to measure precisely
Michael Madrusan
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/nov/19/cocktail-making-tips-australian-bartender-michael-madrusan-everleigh

Bronze Age to Elphaba: The centuries-old origins of the witch’s hat
Scarlett Harris
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20251119-the-5000-year-old-origins-of-the-witchs-hat

The words you can’t say on the internet
Thomas Germain
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251118-the-words-you-cant-say-on-the-internet

Pluribus: Carol Sturka is the flawed lesbian hero America needs
Opinion: The creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul is back with a lesbian-led new show that just might save (or destroy!) the world.
By Mey Rude
https://www.out.com/voices/pluribus-lesbian-hero-carol