Child-protection officials at both the county and state levels failed to intervene appropriately in the case of Eric Dean, a 4-year-old who was murdered by his stepmother in 2013, a state child-mortality panel found. Digging into the details of the panel’s report, the Star Tribune’s Brandon Stahl reports, “The panel found that Pope County failed to follow the law several times when workers did not investigate abuse reports saying that Eric had visible injuries. The county should have also forwarded all of the abuse reports to law enforcement, gathered information about potential drug or alcohol abuse by Eric’s parents, and determined if Eric was safe in his home, the panel found.”

An idea for addressing Minnesota’s doctor shortage: MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on an effort to make it easier for foreign-trained physicians to get started practicing in the United States. Currently, there’s a lot of medical skill going to waste: “The state Task Force on Foreign-Trained Physicians estimates Minnesota is home to as many as 400 immigrant physicians who have not yet been certified to practice, though social service providers say that number is probably higher. Many are doing other work, such as taking supporting roles in health care, serving as interpreters or driving cabs.” 

A favorite Minnesotan pastime: speculation about oncoming severe weather. WCCO’s Matt Brickman beats the snow drum with the oddly hopeful headline “Could We Finally See Major Snow Next Week?” Finally. 

Another week, yet another Minneapolis apartment development. This time it’s Opus with a 32-story tower for Minneapolis’ Ritz block, between 3rd and 4th Sts. and Nicollet and Marquette Aves., cattywampus to the Nicollet Hotel block. [Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal] 

A very Minneapolis showdown is afoot between dog lovers and home-brewing composters. Oh the humanity. [Star Tribune]

In other news…

Veteran WCCO radio broadcaster Dick Chapman has died [WCCO]

In addition to high-priced coffees, Starbucks associated with high-priced homes [Star Tribune]

Who is behind the Woodbury mailbox booties? [Pioneer Press]

Speed limits to rise to 60 mph on 340 miles of Minnesota highways [Star Tribune]

Rock ‘n’ Roll dreams come true: KSTP on “Rock Camp for Dads”

Rock ‘n’ Roll dreams (maybe) shattered: South St. Paul contestant falters on ‘American Idol’ [Pioneer Press] 

Stillwater High Offers Varsity Letters for Off-the-Field Heroics [City Pages]

Cute, but sad, animal news: Two Como Zoo polar bears set to leave [Star Tribune]