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TOP STORIES

• Minnesota surpasses 8,000 COVID-19 deaths: Another 18 deaths were reported Tuesday by state health officials, bringing the number of known pandemic-related deaths to 8,011. The pace of deaths has slowed dramatically since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines and a high uptake rate among the elderly population, which is most vulnerable to COVID-19 complications.
• Minnesotans divided on COVID-19 mandates, poll finds: A majority of Minnesotans support mask mandates in K-12 schools to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but they are sharply divided on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for work, dining out or attending entertainment events, according to a new Minnesota Poll. Full results can be found here.
• Democrats launch effort to curb post-Trump presidential powers: House Democrats are planning to introduce a package of proposed new limits on executive power Tuesday, beginning a post-Trump push to strengthen checks on the presidency that they hope will compare to the overhauls that followed the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War.
• Six Minnesota schools earn national "Blue Ribbon" recognition: Six Minnesota schools were recognized Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for their overall academic performance or success in closing achievement gaps among student groups. The annual honor was announced by the U.S. Department of Education and applauded by state leaders.
• Tina Smith pushes climate program despite strong headwinds: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is trying to pass a landmark climate program aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, despite formidable political tensions and challenging procedural dynamics at a time when Democrats' hold on Congress is razor-thin. The Minnesota Democrat's vision for a clean electricity program has become a critical aspect of efforts to help the United States try to meet urgent climate goals, in what is likely a pivotal challenge for Joe Biden's presidency. The measure would provide financial incentives to utilities and other electric suppliers that accelerate the conversion to clean electricity, but levy penalties against those that don't.
• Workers reinstall Wisconsin statues downed in 2020 protest: Workers reinstalled a 9-foot-6-inch statue of Wisconsin abolitionist Col. Hans Christian Heg as well as a 7-foot statue of a woman symbolizing the state's "Forward" motto. Neither statue has any racist history associated with them, but protesters said they represented a false narrative that Wisconsin supports Black people and racial equity.
• Texas doctor who defied state's new abortion ban is sued: A San Antonio doctor who said he performed an abortion in defiance of a new Texas law all but dared supporters of the state's near-total ban on the procedure to try making an early example of him by filing a lawsuit — and by Monday, two out-of-state former attorneys obliged.
• Midway Shopping Center teardown in St. Paul finally gets green light: The city issued the demolition permit Thursday after months of delays caused in part by an incomplete application, officials said.
• Minneapolis skyline gets new addition: The RBC building is expected to open this spring with offices, a Four Seasons Hotel, condos and a bar & grill with year-round outdoor seating.

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• Pizza ovens are the backyard accessories you didn't know you needed: The key to homemade pizza is a hot, hot oven. Not long ago, you had to build your own. Now, having a dedicated oven for pies is no longer out of reach.
• Why movie stars are more willing than ever to embrace TV: Michael Keaton, Jeff Daniels, Nicole Kidman and Rosario Dawson all say that the roles challenge them.
• The best places to see swans this fall in Minnesota and Wisconsin: Swans worldwide are a small family of seven species. Minnesota sees three of those each year (probably).

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• Zimmer isn't coaching for his job yet, but he could be soon: The question of the Vikings coach's job security is not a new one.
• Sano is fastest to 1,000 strikeouts in MLB history: BLURB Miguel Sano and the Twins say there is a tradeoff in his game — massive home runs that terrorize opponents and numerous strikeouts that aggravate fans.
• Minor-league vet Maggi back to minors without making Twins debut: Drew Maggi was a feel-good story over the weekend in Toronto when the Twins activated him off the taxi squad, elevating the 32-year-old outfielder to the major leagues for the first time in his baseball career. But Maggi didn't play against the Blue Jays, and he was sent back to St. Paul before tonight's game in Chicago against the Cubs.

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