12 possible contenders to replace Mike Zimmer as Vikings coach

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - 12 possible contenders to replace Mike Zimmer as Vikings coach: [The Vikings fired coach Mike Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman]( on Monday morning, parting with two men who'd been in their positions longer than most of their peers around the NFL. Both Zimmer and Spielman had two years remaining on the contract extensions they signed in 2020, but a day after the team finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season, the Vikings opted for a total reset. Here are [12 possible contenders to replace Zimmer]( and [8 potential replacements for Spielman.]( - Omicron causes more downtown Minneapolis companies to rethink return to office plans: Downtown boosters are worried that an upswing of workers who were coming into work before the holidays [will dissipate because of omicron.]( - Metro suburbs avoid mask, vaccine mandates: While Minneapolis and St. Paul have reinstated mask mandates and are considering requiring proof of vaccine to get into bars and restaurants, [Twin Cities suburbs are so far steering clear of these policies.]( - After inauguration, Frey calls for unity: Minneapolis' elected leaders must work together as the city grapples with demands to transform public safety following George Floyd's killing and reduce racial and economic disparities exacerbated by crises in recent years, [Mayor Jacob Frey said in an inaugural speech]( marking the start of a new term. - Ex-St. Thomas football player receives one year workhouse sentence for dorm room rape: Nicholas Robert Schnack, 22, was convicted of rape in October and remained free on bond until his sentencing Friday in Ramsey County District Court. Judge Joy Bartscher ordered Schnack to [30 years' supervised probation and imposed a $500 fine along with his yearlong confinement]( in the Ramsey County Correctional Facility, otherwise known as the workhouse. - Anoka County man found guilty in seizure of 77K THC vape cartridges: Valentin V. Andonii, 25, of Champlin, was [found guilty in Anoka County District Court]( of all drug-related counts against him in connection with the seizure of the 76,972 cartridges, which collectively held more than 185 pounds of the active ingredient in marijuana, from a condominium in the 3600 block of Coon Rapids Boulevard. - Auction for Duluth headshop brings out nostalgia hunters: The focal point of an auction featuring leftover merchandise from a notorious Duluth headshop was a 20-plus foot sign painted with a rainbow horizon and artfully drawn letters spelling out the store's name: Last Place on Earth. Sellers Auction hosted an event Saturday night to [clear out a 24-foot storage container filled with the shop's remaining stock](, a collection heavy on vintage-band T-shirts, records, posters, smoking accessories and pieces that were billed as "adult items," which were saved for the end of the more than 6-hour auction. WATCH THIS Burst water pipe creates geyser of cold water that soaks skiers on lift at North Carolina ski resort: Two people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries last week after t[hey were drenched with freezing water from this hydrant]( after a pipe burst directly under a ski lift. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - These two Minneapolis restaurants are elevating the Twin Cities' sushi game: Billy Sushi and Kado no Mise provide two very different experiences. [Here's what to expect.]( - Luxe North Oaks "entertainer's dream" home on market for $3.275M: [The 11,000-square-foot home in a "countryside environment"]( features fountains in the foyer, several fireplaces and bars on each level. - Bob Saget, beloved TV dad of "Full House," dies at 65: Saget, the actor-comedian known for his role as beloved single dad Danny Tanner on the sitcom "Full House" and as the wisecracking host of "America's Funniest Home Videos," [died while on a stand-up tour.]( He was 65. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Gophers star goalie LaFontaine leaves team to sign NHL deal: The deal with the Carolina Hurricanes [ends Jack LaFontaine's Gophers career midseason]( and will pay him $750,000 at the NHL level and $70,000 at the AHL level through the end of 2021-22. LaFontaine will receive a signing bonus of $88,500. - Third U football assistant leaves, will take Indiana defensive coordinator job: Chad Wilt, the defensive line coach, is the third departure from the Gophers coaching staff in four days. [All have received promotions.]( - Lindsey Vonn's new memoir has lots to say about skiing, mum on Tiger Woods: Gossip-free, the memoir is at its best discussing [how she confronted gender barriers in the sport.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Cats hold couple's new blender hostage for weeks: The Washington Post's Dawn Fallik shares an amusing yarn about a trio of housecats who [simply refuse to allow their people to open a box containing a new Vitamix.]( TRIVIA WINNER Congratulations to Jay R. West! Jay was randomly selected from among the many readers who correctly answered that Sven & Ole's Pizza is the iconic downtown Grand Marais pizzeria whose building has been put up for sale. He wins a $15 gift card. Be sure to read Talkers on Friday for another trivia question! FROM THE ARCHIVES Jan. 10, 2019: Volunteer Don Olson inspects the mountain of man-made snow that he and other volunteers would spread over the trails at Vasoloppet Nordic Ski Center in Mora. (Photo: Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2022 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](