10-day countdown to teacher strikes begins in Mpls., St. Paul

Educators are demanding higher pay, smaller class sizes and more mental health services 

View this email as a web page Feb. 23, 2022 The Minneapolis and St. Paul educator unions have filed an intent to strike with the state bureau of mediation services.  Today's filing would start that clock ticking with a first possible strike date of March 8. Teachers and other staff in both districts are pressing for higher pay, smaller class sizes and more mental health services in the districts' schools.  In a video response to the filing, St. Paul Schools Superintendent Joe Gothard said he believes the more than 4,000 union members deserve what they're demanding but the district doesn't have the funds or people to meet all of the demands and is urging educators not to strike.  St. Paul teachers last went on strike for several days in March 2020 as the COVID pandemic loomed. Any work stoppage by Minneapolis teachers would be the first in that district in more than 50 years. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Tim Nelson, MPR News Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases, ICU needs fall to 6-month lows Minnesota's newest COVID-19 numbers offer more evidence of a rapidly receding surge, with fewer than 100 patients in ICUs now and active cases below 10,000, the lowest levels for both since August. Pandemic deaths, however, have now topped 12,000. Is omicron leading us closer To herd immunity against COVID? Despite plans, precautions  COVID-19 nearly broke Minnesota hospitals. Why? Legal cannabis parties weigh election year strategy Minnesota's two major political parties that support legalizing marijuana face a dilemma this election year: Do they back candidates from other parties who also support legalization or challenge them with their own candidates and risk playing spoiler? Arrest made in fatal shooting of 9-year-old girl in Minneapolis Trinity Ottoson-Smith was shot while jumping on a trampoline at a friend's home on the city's north side in May 2021. She died 12 days later. A 19-year-old has been jailed on suspicion of second-degree murder, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Wednesday. May 2021 9-year-old girl dies from injuries suffered in Minneapolis shooting George Floyd killing: Jury gets case in ex-cops' federal trial The fate of three ex-Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd's constitutional rights is now in the jury's hands following Tuesday's closing statements and the judge's instruction to jurors Wednesday morning. Ukrainian government and banking websites are hit by cyberattacks A number of important websites in Ukraine — from those of large banks to the defense ministry — were struck by denial-of-service attacks Wednesday. 4 chefs, 2 eateries from MN among 2022 James Beard award semifinalists Sean Sherman of Owamni and Yia Vang of Union Hmong Kitchen are both up for best chef in the Midwest, and their eateries are up for the national award of best new restaurant. SPONSOR   Senate DFL leader López Franzen won't run again The top Senate DFLer decided against a reelection bid after being paired with a colleague. It's the latest fallout from new political maps. Trial begins for a former officer charged in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor Brett Hankison fired 10 shots near a side door during the 2020 raid in Louisville, Ky., but none hit Breonna Taylor. Prosecutors say the bullets endangered her neighbors — a couple and their child. 2nd teen charged in probe that led to Amir Locke's death A second teen has been arrested in the homicide investigation that led police to the Minneapolis apartment where a SWAT team officer fatally shot Amir Locke, a Black 22-year-old man, while executing a search warrant In Focus: Celebrating intersectional identities within Minnesota's LGBTQ+ communities Host Angela Davis led our latest In Focus virtual discussion about intersectionality in Minnesota's LGBTQ+ communities on Wednesday. Hear the conversation at 9 a.m. Thursday on MPR News.  Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe today! Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio 480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101