January 28, 2025
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Don’t Run Out the Clock on Food Safety this Super Bowl
USDA January 27, 2025


WASHINGTON, January 27, 2025 — If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, keep food safety in your playbook to ensure that bacteria doesn’t run out the clock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has a game plan to keep your Super Bowl servings penalty free.

“One of the biggest threats to a successful game day meal is bacteria that causes foodborne illness,” said USDA FSIS Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen. “Make sure that takeout or delivered food is quickly refrigerated or placed in an oven until your guests arrive.”

Originally reported by the USDA.

Originally reported by the USDA.


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Business
The economics of being single: the financial trade-offs of living solo
Minnesota Public Radio January 27, 2025


Nearly half of adults are single today, and many aren’t in a rush to couple up.

Living solo is becoming more common, bringing a mix of freedoms and financial challenges. 

While living solo can offer flexibility and independence, singles often face higher costs for housing, healthcare and daily expenses.

What does it look like to thrive as a single person today?

Coming up at 9 a.m. on Monday, MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with a behavioral economist about how singles are rethinking their finances and redefining the way they live in a world that seems like it’s catered to couples.

And we want to hear from you, our listeners.

Are you single? How do you navigate your finances as a single person? 

Call us during the 9 a.m. hour at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828.

Guest:

  • Peter McGraw is a behavioral economist and the author of “Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own” and host of the podcast Solo, that celebrates single living. He is also a professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.    


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Local News
Local News with Tim Bergstrom
KLFD January 27, 2025



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Business
Investor seeks to quash U.S. Steel-Nippon deal after taking stake in U.S. steelmaker
Minnesota Public Radio January 27, 2025


An asset manager is seeking to quash Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel and oust the leadership of the U.S. steelmaker after taking a stake in the company.

Ancora Holdings Group reported acquiring a 0.18 percent stake in the Pittsburgh company and said Monday that the board of U.S. Steel and its CEO David Burritt have prioritized the sale to Nippon because they stand to receive more than $100 million if it goes forward.

Earlier this month Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Biden administration decision to block Nippon’s proposed $15 billion acquisition citing national security.

U.S. Steel also employs hundreds of people at its taconite operations on Minnesota‘s Iron Range.

Ancora is seeking an independent slate of directors at U.S. Steel and new CEO that are committed to walking away from the Nippon deal. In an open letter on Monday, the firm said it has nominated nine independent directors for election at U.S. Steel's annual shareholders meeting this year. Those directors have a plan that includes making Alan Kestenbaum, former Chairman and CEO of Stelco, the new CEO of U.S. Steel.

Ancora wants new board members to focus on U.S. Steel's turnaround, not trying to find alternative bidders or selling the company. It also wants them to pursue the $565 million breakup fee.

US Steel-Nippon Steel
This is a portion of US Steel's Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, Pa. U.S. Steel, the Pittsburgh steel producer that played a key role in the nation's industrialization, is being acquired by Nippon Steel in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $14.1 billion.
Gene J. Puskar | AP

“U.S. Steel is now in a dire state due its excessive capital spending, high debt, soft earnings and nonexistent contingency plan,” Ancora wrote.

“There are consequences associated with having out-of-touch leadership with weak involvement in local communities. Absent a miracle, Ancora believes a substantial and urgent reconstitution of the company’s leadership is necessary,” it continued.

Ancora also said that President Donald Trump has opposed U.S. Steel's deal with Nippon and is unlikely to waver. Last month Trump vowed to block the transaction, pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the American steelmaker.

U.S. Steel, based in Pittsburgh, said early Monday that it remains committed to pursuing a deal with Nippon, believing it is the best deal for the U.S. steel industry, supply chains and job market.

It expressed concern over Ancora's plans.

“Ancora’s interests are not aligned with all U.S. Steel stockholders,” U.S. Steel said. “Our stockholders will not be well served by turning over control of the company to Ancora. We are also concerned about the motivations behind these nominations, given Ancora’s and Alan Kestenbaum’s recent dealings with failed bidder Cleveland-Cliffs.”

U.S. Steel rejected a bid from rival U.S. steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs in favor of the offer from Nippon in 2023. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves said this month that he wanted to make a new bid for U.S. Steel.

Ancora is also based in Cleveland.

U.S. Steel has filed a lawsuit in the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, accusing Cleveland-Cliffs and Goncalves, in coordination with David McCall, the head of the U.S. Steelworkers union, of “engaging in a coordinated series of anticompetitive and racketeering activities” to block its deal with Nippon.


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Local News  / Newsmaker Program
Newsmaker – Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Dairy Day
KLFD January 27, 2025



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Local News
Litchfield Community Theatre Presents “Almost Maine”
KLFD January 27, 2025


Litchfield Community Theatre will present “Almost Maine” on February 14th and 15th at 7 p.m. and February 16th at 2 p.m. in the Bernie Aaker Auditorium. Tickets are available in advance at litchfieldcommunitytheatre.com.

Matt Hegdahl is directing “Almost Maine” which is a comedic collection of short plays. He says all of the scenes are set in the imaginary town of Almost, Maine on the same evening and love is the main theme so it’s appropriate for the Valentine’s weekend.

Hegdahl says there is a cast of 12 people and about 20 characters, so some of the actors play more than one role. He says he’s attended Litchfield Community Theatre productions in the past, but this is his first time being involved. He has done lots of theater in Willmar both on stage and behind the scenes – directing, doing lighting, building sets, etc. For more information about “Almost Maine,” call Litchfield Community Education at 693-2354.


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Business
Target gets booted from Twin Cities Pride festival after rolling back DEI efforts
Minnesota Public Radio January 26, 2025


Twin Cities Pride, Minnesota’s second largest festival, is removing Target from its June LGBTQ+ celebration.

Andi Otto, Twin Cities Pride executive director, says the decision was made after the Minneapolis-based retailer announced on Friday it was dropping its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

The Minneapolis-based retailer said the changes to its “Belonging at the Bulleye” strategy would include ending a program it established to help Black employees build meaningful careers, improve the experience of Black shoppers and promote Black-owned businesses following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

“The community is just very disappointed that someone like Target, who has been a staple in our corner for so many years, has made this decision and not made the decision to stand up against those who are fighting against us,” Otto said.

Target’s DEI announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump declared he would end federal DEI initiatives. Target operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people.

Otto said he had reached out to Target executives about their involvement in Twin Cities Pride in June and was told they wanted to continue being a sponsor for the nonprofit’s events.

“But unfortunately, in the current climate that we are having to live in as a community, I made the decision that it would not be in the best interest of our community to have Target’s presence at Pride or the parade this year,” he said.

Man poses for photo
Andi Otto, Twin Cities Pride.
Feven Gerezgiher | MPR News

Target has been a Twin Cities Pride partner for about 18 years. Last year, the corporation donated about $50,000 to the festival and had the biggest display, Otto said.

“Will it be noticeable that they're gone?” Otto said. “Yeah, I think Target's always been a staple at Twin Cities Pride and showed their support. Will it affect us financially? [We’ll] take a hit for that,” said Otto.

Despite that, Otto said it’s more important to send a message “that we have to continue to stand up for what is right.” Otto says he’ll look for contributions from other companies and foundations to replace the money Target contributed.

As of Sunday evening, Target did not respond to a request for comment.


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