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Stories from March 19, 2020

Minnesota’s local officials try to balance public health and open government

Minnesota’s local officials try to balance public health and open government

Dozens of cities and counties across the state have declared emergencies to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. But some worry the measures make it easier for governments to close off access after the crisis ends.
by Brandt Williams

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Astronomical spring arrives: Highs in the 50s and 60s ahead

Astronomical spring arrives: Highs in the 50s and 60s ahead

The earliest astronomical spring in 124 years is here. The weather maps over Minnesota show warming temperatures after a chilly start to the weekend.
by Paul Huttner

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Pakistani doctor arrested in Minnesota on terrorism charge

A Pakistani doctor and former Mayo Clinic research coordinator was arrested in Minnesota on a terrorism charge, after prosecutors say he told paid FBI informants that he had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State group and wanted to carry out lone wolf attacks in the United States.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota remains short on testing supplies

Several parts of the COVID-19 testing supply chain remain lacking. The latest on COVID-19 for March 19, 2020, hosted by Tim Nelson.

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Minnesota Today

March 19. Hosted by Tim Nelson. Confirmed cases in Minnesota climbs to 89, testing still limited

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Supermarkets add 'senior hours' for vulnerable shoppers

Supermarkets add 'senior hours' for vulnerable shoppers

Target, Safeway and others are restricting their opening hours, limiting purchases per each shopper and setting off time for seniors and other high-risk individuals to shop.
by Alina Selyukh

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Major spring flood risk remains high for Red River

Major spring flood risk remains high for Red River

The regions most likely to experience major flooding include parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. The potential for major flooding is elevated along the Red River, the James River and parts of the Upper Mississippi River, according to the NOAA's National Water Center.
by The Associated Press

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Finding a silver lining: How Minnesotans are helping each other during a pandemic

Finding a silver lining: How Minnesotans are helping each other during a pandemic

Lots of people want to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic, but how can they do it safely? Two executive directors in the volunteerism field share their advice on giving back during the pandemic.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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Parents balance home-schooling with work during health emergency

Parents balance home-schooling with work during health emergency

With the closure of K-12 schools across the state because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents have suddenly found themselves in charge of their children’s education. We share some advice for how to approach this challenge.
by Jim Bickal and Angela Davis

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COVID-19: Hard questions, real answers with WABE

COVID-19: Hard questions, real answers with WABE

Public health officials are on the case of the new coronavirus and how it’s affecting our communities and our world. We turn to two public health experts to get answers about our health and safety.
by Kerri Miller and MPR News Staff

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Gazelka warns against unchecked executive orders

Gazelka warns against unchecked executive orders

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says the executive orders issued by Gov. Tim Walz in response to COVID-19 should not be unilateral and unchecked. He wants lawmakers involved.
by Tim Pugmire

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Coronavirus shutdowns deal heavy blow to the arts

Coronavirus shutdowns deal heavy blow to the arts

Across the state Minnesota artists are finding themselves suddenly unemployed, with little financial relief in sight.
by Marianne Combs

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Italian death toll overtakes China's as virus spreads

Italian death toll overtakes China's as virus spreads

The death toll in Italy from the coronavirus overtook China’s on Thursday in a stark illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States.
by The Associated Press

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Cube Critics begin bingeing through corona virus

With most theaters closed, and big screens unavailable, Cube Critics Marcheta Fornoff and Euan Kerr look for substitutes.
by Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff

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Intelligence chairman raised virus alarms weeks ago, secret recording shows

Intelligence chairman raised virus alarms weeks ago, secret recording shows

Sen. Richard Burr issued a warning at a private event weeks ago to prepare for dire effects from the coronavirus, going further than his more public comments, according to a recording obtained by NPR.
by Tim Mak

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'The Mountains Sing' a song of many voices

'The Mountains Sing' a song of many voices

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai's new novel is a luminous, complex family saga that stretches across decades of Vietnamese history, from the French colonial period, through war and upheaval to the present day.
by Thúy Đinh

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Confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. surpass 10,000

Confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. surpass 10,000

The country hit that marker days after all 50 states reported cases of COVID-19 disease. Jobless claims across the country have also spiked amid desperate attempts to keep the virus at bay. The State Department on Thursday instructed U.S. citizens not to travel internationally.
by Colin Dwyer

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Congress awaits GOP relief plan as first lawmakers test positive for coronavirus

Congress awaits GOP relief plan as first lawmakers test positive for coronavirus

Reps. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, and Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., have both tested positive for COVID-19, and others are in self-quarantine. At this time, neither chamber allows members to vote remotely.
by Kelsey Snell, Susan Davis and Claudia Grisales

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Weekend forecast plus an update on Thursday rain, wind and snow

Parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will see soaking rains Thursday afternoon and evening, with mainly snow or a rain/snow mix in portions of Minnesota. We have an update on our Thursday precipitation and strong winds, plus a look at the weekend.
by Ron Trenda

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Jury finds Washington County deputy not guilty in 2018 shooting death

Jury finds Washington County deputy not guilty in 2018 shooting death

The jury in an otherwise empty courthouse found Washington County Deputy Brian Krook not guilty of manslaughter in the 2018 shooting death of 23-year-old Benjamin Evans.
by Matt Sepic

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Funeral homes reevaluate how to hold services during pandemic

Funeral homes are now being forced to accommodate state guidelines regarding how many people can gather in one location.

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The start of spring brings rain, snow and high winds

Just in time for the start of spring, a strong storm will bring parts of Minnesota soaking rain, accumulating snow, and gusty winds, followed by colder weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Publisher Macmillan backs off policy restricting e-book sales to libraries

Publisher Macmillan backs off policy restricting e-book sales to libraries

At a time when libraries are closed because of the coronavirus, Macmillan has reversed a policy it adopted last fall limiting the e-books it would sell to each library just after publication.
by Rose Friedman

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The start of spring brings snow to Minnesota

Spring officially begins at 10:49 p.m. Thursday, and by that time most of Minnesota will either be seeing snow or will have new snow on the ground thanks to a strong storm.
by Nicole Mitchell

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State rations COVID-19 tests

Only those who are at the highest risk will be able to get tests. The latest on COVID-19 for the morning of March 19, 2020, hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Yes, you can take your kids for a walk

With schools around the country closing for two weeks or more, parents and caregivers face a stiff challenge: Keep kids active, engaged — and as safe as possible. We've got a few suggestions.
by Elizabeth Blair

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Art Hounds: Art in a time of 'social distancing'

Art Hounds: Art in a time of 'social distancing'

The new coronavirus has forced bands to cancel shows and theaters to go dark. But there’s still plenty of great work by Minnesota artists that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
by Marianne Combs

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In Little Falls, bus drivers bring meals, smiles to home-bound students

In Little Falls, bus drivers bring meals, smiles to home-bound students

Schools across Minnesota shut their doors this week amid the COVID-19 outbreak, and districts are scrambling to provide meals to students who depend on them. Little Falls is one of several districts using bus drivers to deliver breakfast and lunch to school-age children.
by Kirsti Marohn

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MN's schools closed for learning, but open for emergency personnel child care, planning

MN's schools closed for learning, but open for emergency personnel child care, planning

Most states in the country have or are planning to close schools to slow the spread of COVID-19. Minnesota’s governor — a former teacher — is instructing districts to open their doors to the children of health care and emergency workers.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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In moment of coronavirus, Duluth distillery turns spirits into sanitizer

In moment of coronavirus, Duluth distillery turns spirits into sanitizer

Tucked away in the back of the Vikre Distillery building, past the empty cocktail room and copper stills and fermenters, the company has set up its makeshift hand sanitizer production area.
by Dan Kraker

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Coronavirus' economic impact will be felt widely, but unevenly

Coronavirus' economic impact will be felt widely, but unevenly

Few sectors will escape economic pain from the coronavirus outbreak. Some economists, however, are hopeful things can return to normal by the end of the year.
by Martin Moylan

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Spring starts Thursday all over America, which is weird

Spring starts Thursday all over America, which is weird

Spring begins at 11:50 p.m. ET on March 19 this year. It is the earliest nationwide vernal equinox since 1896. Why, you ask? Get ready for orbital mechanics and a lot of information about calendars.
by Rebecca Hersher

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Documentary: The Making of Male Dominance

Documentary: The Making of Male Dominance

How did men hold on to the dominant position for so long? And why? "The Making of Male Dominance” takes a look at the latest research by historians, sociologists and anthropologists on how male supremacy got started, going all the way back to the ancient world and leading up to the present day.
by MPR News Staff

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Advice from France to avoid ibuprofen for COVID-19 leaves experts baffled

Advice from France to avoid ibuprofen for COVID-19 leaves experts baffled

A weekend tweet by France's health minister suggesting ibuprofen might exacerbate COVID-19 doesn't have strong evidence behind it, say the WHO and other infectious disease doctors and researchers.
by Maria Godoy

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