Longtime Minneapolis civil rights activist Mel Reeves dies of complications from COVID-19

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Longtime Minneapolis civil rights activist Mel Reeves dies of complications from COVID-19: Mel Reeves, a longtime Minneapolis civil rights activist and writer who spent years fighting for social justice, [has died from complications of COVID-19.]( Reeves' death was announced by the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, a longtime Black newspaper where Reeves served as community editor and frequently penned articles. Reeves, 64, was a fixture at protests and civic events, where he was an outspoken advocate for marginalized communities. - Minneapolis, St. Paul reinstate indoor mask mandates: Minneapolis and St. Paul are reinstating indoor mask mandates, with mayors from both cities citing a rise in COVID-19 cases because of the highly contagious omicron variant. [Both mandates take effect at 5 p.m. Thursday.]( Minneapolis' order requires face coverings in "any indoor locations where members of the public may gather, visit or patronize." St. Paul's applies to businesses licensed by the city "at all times when social distancing of at least 6 feet is not maintained." - Biden accuses Trump, supporters of holding "dagger at the throat" of democracy: President Joe Biden accused Donald Trump and his supporters of holding a "dagger at the throat of democracy" in a forceful speech Thursday [marking the anniversary of the deadly breach of the U.S. Capitol.]( He warned that though it didn't succeed, the insurrection remains a serious threat to America's system of government. Biden's criticism was blistering of the defeated president whom he blamed for the attack that has fundamentally changed Congress and the nation, and raised global concerns about the future of American democracy. [You can watch Biden's remarks here.]( - Ellison tests positive for COVID-19: Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday [he has contracted the coronavirus while visiting family abroad.]( Ellison is isolating and will travel back to Minnesota when it is safe to do so, according to a news release. He is conducting all business remotely. - St. Paul, Minneapolis schools continue to struggle with shortage of bus drivers: After-school activities have been canceled in Minneapolis and parents put on alert they might have to get their kids to and from school in St. Paul as [the districts continue to grapple with disruptions]( caused by bus driver shortages and COVID-19. - Minneapolis public works employees accept contract, avoid strike: Minneapolis snow plow drivers, street repair and water maintenance workers organized under the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 averted a strike when they [voted Wednesday night to accept the city's latest contract offer.]( Local 49 represents more than 110 Minneapolis equipment operators and mechanics. - Warehouse fire briefly closes bridge connecting Duluth, Superior: [Two historic waterfront buildings caught fire Thursday morning]( in Wisconsin across from downtown Duluth, prompting a brief closure of a major bridge that connects the city with Superior, authorities said. The fire first started in an empty warehouse, before spreading to the neighboring building. - Impact of upcoming 5G wireless upgrade on MSP flights unknown: It's unclear [how the impending upgrade of 5G wireless service may affect air travel across the country](, including flights arriving and departing from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Late Monday, AT&T and Verizon announced a delay in the planned rollout for two weeks as they work with regulators and airlines to minimize the potential impact on flight operations. - Leader of Minnesota Black police group to run for Hennepin County sheriff: A trailblazer in law enforcement announced she is running for Hennepin County sheriff. Suwana Kirkland, president of Minnesota's National Black Police Association chapter, [made the announcement in a tweet Wednesday afternoon.]( Kirkland, who lives in Rogers, is director of Dakota County Community Corrections, a position she has held for almost a year, and is an adjunct instructor at the University of St. Thomas, according to her LinkedIn profile. - Sven and Ole's pizza lives, but its Grand Marais home is for sale: The familiar downtown Grand Marais building on Wisconsin Street, home to first a food stand and then the famous pizza for more than 40 years, is on the market for $500,000. [Owner Sid Backlund said in a message that he is not selling the business](, just the commercial building, and will retain some land for "future considerations." WATCH THIS Cowboys help wrangle runaway cattle on Idaho interstate: The owner of the two cows and some friends showed up to assist Idaho State troopers in [corralling the cattle after they escaped their pasture]( and made a dash down I-84 near Caldwell on Sunday. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - 21 heated patios for dining outdoors in the Twin Cities this winter: [These restaurants have outdoor spaces]( even in the darkest, chilliest days. - MOA to celebrate 30th anniversary with "Back to the '90s" drag show: The Mall of America — which opened nearly 30 years ago, in August, 1992 — [will kick off celebrations of the big 3-0 with its first drag show]( on Friday, Jan. 21. The lineup includes some of the country's top gender-bending theatrical talent, including "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars Latrice Royale, Jorgeous, and Farrah Moan along with beloved Twin Cities queens. Landon Cider, the first drag king to win an American TV show competition, is also on the bill. - "Women of the Movement" is rare example of network TV doing the right thing: ABC had such low expectations for a 1977 project that it decided to run all eight episodes on consecutive nights to get it out of the way. Much to its surprise, "Roots" became one of the most-watched TV shows of all time. [You can't help but think about that miniseries while watching "Women of the Movement,"]( which premiered Thursday on ABC and focuses on how the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till influenced the civil rights movement. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Can the Wilfs rebuild the Vikings' leadership? Zygi and Mark Wilf never have been meddlesome NFL owners. The businessmen leave football matters to their football experts, which is an admirable management style that works right up until the situation requires a knowledgeable, hands-on approach. Now is that time, [writes Chip Scoggins.]( - Minnesota's Brown brothers find great fits on opposite ends of D-I hoops: Minnesota natives Kendall and Courtney Brown Jr. aren't the only set of siblings playing Division I basketball across the country. But there's something different about where these former East Ridge High School standouts are now that makes their journey unique. [One plays for No. 1 Baylor. The other plays for Division I newcomer St. Thomas.]( - Wild's Duhaime questionable vs. Bruins after positive COVID-19 test: The Wild, looking for its first win since Dec. 9, [could be down one more player on Thursday]( when the team faces off against the Bruins at TD Garden. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Dog hailed as "real-life Lassie" after leading police to truck crash: "Two men lay unconscious on a frigid Vermont night until Tinsley, a Shiloh Shepherd, led the authorities back to the site of the wreck," [reports Vimal Patel for the New York Times](. FROM THE ARCHIVES Jan. 6, 2017: Father Richard Andrews of St. George Greek Orthodox Church of St. Paul, Father Mirceau Vasiu of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church of St. Paul, Father George Dokos of St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church of Minneapolis and Father Paul Hodge of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of West St. Paul walked out onto the frozen Mississippi River in single digit temperatures to perform the Blessing of the Waters. During the ceremony, they tossed a blessed cross into the river and then retrieved it, to symbolize Jesus Christ's baptism in the River Jordan. 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