AP-MN–Minnesota News Digest 6 pm, MN

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up in Minnesota. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to Doug Glass at (800) 552-7250 or (612) 332-2727. Steve Karnowski is on the desk.

For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477. Some TV and radio stations will receive shorter APNewsNow versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORIES:

NOBEL-LITERATURE-DYLAN-HIBBING

HIBBING, Minn. — The city of Hibbing has long struggled with how it should honor its most famous son, Bob Dylan. There is a street sign, a small exhibit in the public library, but little more. As Dylan is awarded the Nobel Prize in literature Saturday — proclaimed Bob Dylan Day in the state — some residents think that should change. SENT: 380 words, photo.

AROUND THE STATE:

HOSPITAL CUTS

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis is planning to reduce its workforce by as much as 4 percent next year. The hospital plans to eliminate up to 275 full-time positions to balance the hospital’s budget and keep the opening of a new ambulatory and outpatient surgery center on schedule for 2018. Some jobs might be eliminated through attrition rather than through layoffs. SENT: 270 words.

EXCHANGE-LEARNING SKILLED TRADES

MILACA, Minn. — A partnership between Milaca High School and local businesses is providing students hands-on training in the construction industry through a class where students build a house by the end of the school year. Tony Vesledahl teaches the building trades class. He tells the St. Cloud Times that the course allows students to learn from and work alongside electricians, plumbers and heating installers. By Vicki Ikeogu, St. Cloud Times. SENT IN ADVANCE: 720 words. Photos upcoming.

EXCHANGE-DEATH WITH DIGNITY

AUSTIN, Minn. — An Austin man stricken with stage 4 lung cancer says he wants the ability to end his life on his own terms, and he hopes Minnesota lawmakers will enable him and other terminally ill residents to make that choice. So-called death with dignity laws aren’t physician-assisted suicide, but rather measures that allow someone who is terminally ill to self-administer medication that would end his or her life. Such laws are in place in California, Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana. By Deb Nicklay, Austin Daily Herald. SENT IN ADVANCE: 1,020 words. Photos.

IN BRIEF:

WORLD’S FAIR-MINNESOTA, THEATER-HAMILTON-MINNESOTA, VIKINGS STADIUM-FATAL FALL, WINTER STORM-NORTH DAKOTA-MAIL, AUTO PARTS STORE KILLING, BRAWL SHOOTING-MINNESOTA-OFFICER, SECURITY GUARD-FATAL SHOOTING.

SPORTS:

PISTONS-TIMBERWOLVES

MINNEAPOLIS — With Reggie Jackson back, the Detroit Pistons face the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves, who have lost six of their last seven games. By Basketball Writer Jon Krawczynski. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m.

OILERS-WILD

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild start a three-game home-stand by hosting the up-and-coming Edmonton Oilers. By Mike Cook. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m.

VIKINGS-JAGUARS

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Minnesota’s Xavier Rhodes and Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey were nearly college teammates at Florida State. They would have made a formidable combination. Rhodes and Ramsey have since emerged as two of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL, lock-down defenders in a league that puts a premium on slowing down high-powered passing games. By Mark Long. SENT: 870 words, photos.

ON FOOTBALL-STRETCH RUN

And down the stretch they come. The Cowboys already are in the playoffs. The Patriots and Seahawks almost certainly will qualify soon, too. Believe it or not, Raiders fans, your team is about to end its 13-season drought. It’s possible the runner-up in the North and South, perhaps even the Cardinals or Vikings if they ever get things straightened out, will be alive beyond Christmas. By Barry Wilner. SENT: 960 words, photos.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN-MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS — Improving Minnesota, which has already won more games this season than it did all last year, hosts Georgia Southern in another tune-up for Big Ten play. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m.

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If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to apminneapolis@ap.org. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them by FTP or email (statephotos@ap.org) to our state photo center in New York. Be sure to follow up emailed photos with a call to (888) 273-6867 or they may go unseen. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or (877) 836-9477.

MARKETPLACE: Calling your attention to the Marketplace in AP Exchange, where you can find member-contributed content from Minnesota and other states. The Marketplace is accessible on the left navigational pane of the AP Exchange home page, near the bottom. For both national and state, you can click “All” or search for content by topics such as education, politics and business.