MPR News Update: Who's better at plowing? Businessman tapped to lead MnDOT

Snowplow
A snowplow clears a road.
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Today on the MPR News Update, MPD Blue looks a little more rainbow these days. Illegal immigrants are speaking out more and more. And, the state considers changing the status of dozens of animal and plant species.

BAD ROADS IN THE METRO: First, a story that effects all of us who drive in the Twin Cities and have been holding on for dear life when we hit those bumpy ice patches. It's a remnant of the weekend snowstorm. Curtis Gilbert went out and about to see which city -- St. Paul or Minneapolis -- better handled the problem.

WINTER CAR TROUBLE? Stalled vehicles have been a common sight this week on Minnesota roads because of the colder temps, and the aforementioned bumpy roads may do a number on your car. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked to a car repair expert for some tips on how to avoid those problems.

PRIVATE SECTOR LEADER FOR MNDOT: Gov. Mark Dayton has named Charlie Zelle, the head of a regional bus company, to lead the Minnesota Department of Tranportation -- one of the state's largest and most important agencies. Zelle is president and CEO of Jefferson Lines, which operates in 13 states.

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BILL FOR BRODKORB'S SUIT KEEPS RISING: Legal costs associated with a Minnesota Senate scandal involving former Republican leader Amy Koch and Michael Brodkorb, her senior aide, have reached $200,000, a new invoice made public Tuesday showed.

MINNEAPOLIS PD MORE ACCEPTING OF GAY COPS: Nearly 20 years after a Minneapolis police sergeant became the first openly gay police officer, the city now has its first openly gay police chief. The number of out lesbian and gay police officers in the city has increased over the years. And that's changed the culture of the department.

AT THE CENTER OF THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE: Jose Antonio Vargas, an undocumented immigrant and former journalist, was in Minneapolis last night to talk about immigration reform. The issue is likely to be in the national spotlight next year, and he spoke with MPR's Sasha Aslanian about his activism on the subject.

SEMINARY IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE: The head of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Rev. Dr. Richard Bliese, has resigned, as the school says it's struggling financially due to deferred maintenance charges related to aging buildings and a drop in enrollment. more on the story.

GRANDDAUGHTER SHOT: In Rochester, police describe the man who shot his granddaughter as being devastated. He apparently thought the teen was an intruder.

MOOSE IN TROUBLE? The Minnesota DNR wants to add the moose to a state list of animals considered at risk of disappearing. The agency is revising its list of threatened, endangered and "special concern" species for the first time since 1996.