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Who gets bragging rights for the coldest temperatures on Sunday? According to Bring Me The News, Pine River had the coldest air temperature at -28, while the wind chill in Their River Falls dipped to -41. Minneapolis was a relatively balmy -10.  Via MinnPost
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-weather/here-are-the-coldest-temps-and-wind-chills-sunday-in-minnesota

From Seinfeld to Shawshank, Rob Reiner changed Hollywood for ever
Reiner’s own films reshaped modern comedy and drama with their intelligence, empathy and range. But through his company, Castle Rock, he paved the way for Seinfeld, Sorkin and many more
Andrew Pulver
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/15/rob-reiner-director-this-is-spinal-tap-when-harry-met-sally

US librarians tackle ‘manufactured crisis’ of book bans to protect LGBTQ+ rights
In at least half a dozen states, librarians have joined forces with civil rights groups to oppose book bans, often facing personal and professional repercussions
Claire Wang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/15/us-librarianbook-bans-lgbtq-rights

‘Oysters are a risk, as is raw meat’: why you get food poisoning – and how to avoid it
Several kinds of bacteria can give you an upset stomach. Here is how to steer clear of the worst offenders, and what to do if they do make it through
Joel Snape
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/15/why-food-poisoning-how-to-avoid-oysters-raw-meat ( Read more... )

The great outdoor freezer has roared back to life! Stay warm!

Subzero temperatures are on their way to the Twin Cities this weekend, and it could be the coldest December day in decades. If “the temperature drops to -11 or colder Saturday night, that will be the earliest we’ve seen that kind of reading or colder since 1996. If we can slip to -12 or colder, that bar is even farther back, 1989,” according to Bring Me The News. And while that’s cold, it’s also worth noting that we had much colder Decembers in decades past: “December as a whole has warmed an eye-popping 5.5 degrees in just 50 years, our fastest warming winter month.” 
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-weather/deep-freeze-could-bring-cold-the-twin-cities-hasnt-felt-this-early-in-30-years

There’s finally a plan for George Floyd Square. The Minneapolis City Council approved the “flexible-open” option for the intersection of 38th and Chicago, KSTP reports. This option “will keep Chicago Avenue open to traffic — including buses — but will allow for temporary closures for special events.” 
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minneapolis-city-council-finalizes-plan-for-george-floyd-square-that-allows-through-traffic/

If you’re willing to brave the cold, Racket offered their weekly compendium of free things to do this weekend. You’ll find plenty of holiday-related activities to do gratis. Via MinnPost
https://racketmn.com/freeloader-friday-163-free-things-to-do-this-weekend

The level of disfunction in Twin Lakes has grown such that many townsfolk are calling for the city government to be dissolved, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. “The shouting, threats and sarcastic barbs have been flying for months at city meetings in this town of 130 near the Iowa border. There are complaints about tap water running black, fights over city hiring and multiple allegations of misdeeds. … In a small-town smackdown, 34 residents have signed a petition to take Twin Lakes off the map by dissolving the city government.” This piece reads with all the intrigue and tension of a reality TV drama. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/twin-lakes-minnesota-dissolve-city-township/601536850?utm_source=gift

Counterpoint: Ranked-choice voting didn’t fail Minneapolis
RCV has ensured majority winners, given voters more meaningful choices, eliminated low-turnout primaries and opened the political process to a broader, more diverse field of candidates.
by Michael Minta
https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/12/counterpoint-ranked-choice-voting-didnt-fail-minneapolis/

Trump attacks old foe Biden – but presidential parallels hard to avoid
US president finds himself shouldering same burdens of affordability crisis and the inexorable march of time
David Smith in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/13/trump-biden-rivals

Epstein Pr0n
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2025/dec/12/jeffrey-epstein-released-photos

Our 25 favourite European travel discoveries of 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/13/travel-writers-top-25-favourite-travel-discoveries-europe-2025

Not automagical and quite hard:
Dorothy Parker ‘fwowed up’ in a 1928 review of which children’s classic? The Saturday quiz
From demon, equal and encyclopedia to The Tour of Life and Before the Dawn, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz
Thomas Eaton
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/13/dorothy-parker-fwowed-1928-childrens-classic-book-review-saturday-quiz

A Quiz for the Rest o' Us
Why do moths eat clothes and how old is the universe? The kids’ quiz
Five multiple-choice questions – set by children – to test your knowledge, and a chance to submit your own junior brainteasers for future quizzes
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/13/why-moths-eat-clothes-how-old-universe-kids-quiz

Automagical Quiz and hard:
Weekly quiz: Which countries said they would boycott Eurovision?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j9867wppxo

After weeks of debate, Minneapolis City Council approves $2B budget
Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne called it “the hardest budget season that I think I’ve been in.”
by Trevor Mitchell
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/12/minneapolis-city-council-approves-2b-budget/

‘Somalis are the scapegoat’: fear rises as Trump targets Minneapolis community
Residents have had to adjust how they’re living – staying home, carrying passports – since Trump launched his attack
Rachel Leingang
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/somali-minneapolis-fear-trump-ice-deportation

That time a bunch of radical artists got under the hood at Mia – and stayed there
Fifty years on, the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program continues to provide an experimental, artist-curated space inside one of the region’s premier museums.
by Sheila Regan
https://www.minnpost.com/artscape/2025/12/that-time-a-bunch-of-radical-artists-got-under-the-hood-at-mia-and-stayed-there/

The Trump administration’s fight against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has reached Minneapolis Public Schools. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against the state’s third-largest school district, accusing it “of providing discriminatory protections to teachers of color in layoff and reassignment decisions,” specially “the district’s efforts to bolster its minority teaching ranks,” The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/trump-administration-accuses-minneapolis-schools-of-racism-in-protecting-minority-teachers/601543618?utm_source=gift

It’s cold outside. But what should you do if it’s cold indoors? If you have drafty windows or a sputtering furnace, MPR News offers “five things to know about making improvements to your home to save energy and cut heating costs this winter.” Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/10/reducing-home-heating-costs-5-things-to-know

‘The whole thing disgusts me’: Australians ditch US travel as new rules require social media to be declared
Visitors will have to reveal at the border all social media activity over the past five years
Daisy Dumas and Ben Doherty
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/11/australia-us-tourism-new-visa-rules-social-media-history

Trump launches $1m ‘gold card’ visa scheme amid immigration crackdown
Wealthy immigrants will be able to buy residency, and $5m ‘platinum card’ will exempt holders from some US taxes
Marina Dunbar in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/trump-us-gold-card-visa-launch

The town on the banks of the Nile that turned floods into fortune
After record flooding submerged Bor in South Sudan in 2020, the emergency response ended up turning it into a beacon of climate crisis adaptation
Florence Miettaux in Bor
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/dec/11/the-town-on-the-banks-of-the-nile-that-turned-floods-into-fortune

How monogamous are humans? Scientists compile 'league table' of pairing up
Helen Briggs
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpvx3exglo

Jacinda Ardern once auditioned to be a Hobbit
The former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tells Graham Norton she auditioned for Lord of the Rings but fell short on a specific requirement.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0mlyy58/jacinda-ardern-once-auditioned-to-be-a-hobbit

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

Trump vows to slam America’s doors shut as he heaps scorn on immigrants
National guard shooting prompts extraordinary outburst and targeting of people from startling range of countries
Robert Tait in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/07/trump-immigration-ice

Putin should have accepted Trump’s deal. Now Russia’s collapsing economy could lead to his downfall
Simon Tisdall
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/07/putin-accept-trump-deal-russia-economy-ukraine-war

No, New York City’s wealthiest are not fleeing the city after Mamdani’s win
Conservatives warned of a mass exodus if the democratic socialist won, but experts, and property data, paint a very different picture
Adam Gabbatt in New York
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/new-york-city-wealthy-mamdani-win

California officials warn foragers after person dies from poison mushroom
Several additional people, including children, have severe liver damage amid 21 cases of amatoxin poisoning
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/06/california-mushroom-poisoning

Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale has become ‘more and more plausible’
Canadian author discusses US under Donald Trump and says setting of dystopian novel has ‘become much closer’
Neha Gohil
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/dec/07/margaret-atwood-the-handmaids-tale-has-become-more-and-more-plausible

How to make the perfect Dubai chocolate bar – recipe
The pistachio-crammed craze makes a superb gift. Our in-house perfectionist tries all the fiddly bits for you …
Felicity Cloake
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/dec/07/how-to-make-the-perfect-dubai-chocolate-bar-recipe

Swedish navy encountering Russian submarines ‘almost weekly’ – and more could be on the way
Moscow ‘continuously reinforcing’ its presence in the region, says Swedish chief of operations Capt Marko Petkovic
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/06/swedish-navy-chief-russia-baltic-presence-ukraine-peace

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons
Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders
Sam Levin in Los Angeles
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/doj-prison-lgbtq-sexual-abuse-protections

US federal judge orders release of Epstein grand jury materials
Ruling compels unsealing of documents from 2006-2007 federal investigation into Epstein in Florida
Joseph Gedeon in Washington
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/federal-judge-epstein-grand-jury-materials

Trump releases racist blueprint for the world
by Oliver Willis
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/12/5/2357010/-Trump-releases-racist-blueprint-for-the-world?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_11&pm_medium=web

Frank Gehry obituary
Canadian–American architect who explored crumpling and fish curves in such buildings as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Charles Jencks and Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/dec/06/frank-gehry-obituary

From Bilbao to Las Vegas: Frank Gehry’s incredible architecture – in pictures
The award-winning designer and architect leaves behind unique buildings all across the world from Dundee to Düsseldorf. He died after a brief respiratory illness at the age of 96
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2025/dec/05/frank-gehry-architecture-in-pictures

Science journal retracts study on safety of Monsanto’s Roundup: ‘Serious ethical concerns’
Paper published in 2000 found glyphosate was not harmful, while internal emails later revealed company’s influence
Carey Gillam
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/monsanto-roundup-safety-study-retracted

‘I’ve had all the luck you can get’: Michael Caine retires for the fourth time
The 92-year-old actor made the announcement again as he received an award at the Red Sea international film festival in Saudi Arabia
Catherine Shoard
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/05/michael-caine-actor-retires-for-fourth-time

Alexander Skarsgård's encounter with Miriam Margolyes
Alexander Skarsgård reveals to Graham Norton that he once almost rented a room in Miriam Margolyes’ condo in Santa Monica.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0mkfwyw/alexander-skarsg-rd-s-encounter-with-miriam-margolyes

MPR News looks at how many Somalis in Minnesota could be impacted by a planned federal operation that would target those who have final orders of deportation. Out of the approximately 80,000 Minnesota Somalis, “[l]ocal advocates estimate that a few hundred people statewide could be directly affected by such an operation. This comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s recent call to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, a move that could similarly affect several hundred more.” There are currently 705 Somali migrants in the U.S. with TPS. Via MinnPost
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/03/how-many-somalis-in-minnesota-could-be-impacted-by-federal-intervention

With the 100th anniversary of the Heights Theater coming up, the Columbia Heights icon has been sold, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Longtime owner Tom Letness is passing the baton to the group that runs Chicago’s Music Box Theater, “a similarly vintage yet adventurous movie house with a good reputation. They intend to keep a lot of the current film programming in place and add a lot more.”  Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/heights-movie-theater-columbia-minneapolis-sold-chicago-music-box-theater-wurlitzer-organ/601538558?utm_source=gift

‘Never seen anything like this’: alarm at memo from top US vaccine official
Vinay Prasad memo said at least 10 children had died from Covid vaccination – but offered scant evidence for claim
Melody Schreiber
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/us-vaccines-vinay-prasad-memo

Detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facing ‘harrowing human right violations’, new report alleges
Amnesty International finds immigrants at Florida facility were shackled and left outside in metal cage for up to a day
Richard Luscombe in Miami
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/04/alligator-alcatraz-human-right-violations-amnesty-report

New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years
Oliver Milman
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/03/new-england-warming

How an invasion of purple flowers made Iceland an Instagram paradise – and caused a biodiversity crisis
Nootka lupins, introduced in the 1940s to repair damaged soil, are rampaging across the island, threatening its native species
Patrick Greenfield
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/04/invasive-species-flowers-iceland-nootka-lupins-lupines-aoe

‘Biggest band that ever lived’: inside the Grateful Dead art show
As the band celebrate their 60th anniversary, a California exhibition draws attention to the unique psychedelic artwork that has long told their story
Matt Shaw
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/04/grateful-dead-band-art-show-california

Interview
Ballet star Matthew Ball on gruelling roles and getting ogled on Instagram: ‘I don’t feel precious about my body’
Lyndsey Winship
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/dec/04/matthew-ball-dancer-interview-royal-ballet-mayara-magri-dance

Interview
Paul Anka on his incredible, star-studded career: ‘Revenge is a motivator like you wouldn’t believe’
Jim Farber
The musician, who wrote My Way and Puppy Love among others, talks career longevity, shrewd business and which star bullied him in his youth
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/03/paul-anka-musician-career-interview

Indian scientists spot Milky Way-like galaxy from 12 billion years ago
Geeta Pandey
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmdk7wkmz4o

Almshouse's 15th Century painting sells for £5.7m
Curtis Lancaster
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxgy49qgvvo

A rare freshwater jellyfish the size of a quarter was spotted in Taft Lake in Richfield this past October, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. “According to the DNR, most years pass without a single verified sighting.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/richfield-freshwater-jellyfish-taft-lake/601534536?utm_source=gift

Review
Prime Minister review – portrait of Jacinda Ardern shows a fully human being in charge for once
Documentary about New Zealand’s former leader records a shrewd but likable premier who did without the usual politician’s defences
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/02/prime-minister-review-portrait-of-jacinda-ardern-shows-a-fully-human-being-in-charge-for-once

Review
Marty Supreme review – Timothée Chalamet a smash in spectacular screwball ping-pong nightmare
Following every dizzying spin of Chalamet’s table tennis hustler, Josh Safdie’s whip-crack comedy serves sensational shots – and a smart return by Gwyneth Paltrow
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/01/marty-supreme-review-timothee-chalamet-ping-pong-table-tennis

Shells found in Spain could be among oldest known musical instruments
Conch-shell trumpets discovered in Neolithic settlements and mines in Catalonia make tone similar to french horn, says lead researcher
Sam Jones in Madrid
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/02/neolithic-conch-like-shell-spain-catalonia-discovery-musical-instruments

Hole in Antarctic ozone layer shrinks to smallest since 2019, scientists say
EU’s Copernicus monitoring service hails ‘reassuring sign’ of progress observed this year in hole’s size and duration
Ajit Niranjan
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/01/hole-in-ozone-layer-antarctica-smallest-since-2019-scientists-copernicus-eu

Dutch king says he ‘will not shy away’ from slavery history on rare royal visit to Suriname
The king and queen’s visit to the former colony is the first by members of the Dutch royal family in nearly five decades
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/02/suriname-slavery-royal-visit-dutch-king-willem-alexander