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Stories from April 2, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic expected to slow transition to clean energy

Coronavirus pandemic expected to slow transition to clean energy

The United States is expected to see a decrease in new solar projects for the first time since they’ve been tracked. And what was supposed to be a banner year for wind projects will likely produce more modest growth.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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Tech frustrations, inequity and silver linings: Minnesota’s first week of distance learning

Tech frustrations, inequity and silver linings: Minnesota’s first week of distance learning

Week one of hundreds of thousands of Minnesota students attempting to learn from home was punctuated by widespread technology failures, overwhelmed parents and deepening inequities, as schools learned they likely won’t reopen before the end of the academic year.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Schools unlikely to reopen this spring

Governor Tim Walz said today it's unlikely public and charter K-12 schools will be resuming this spring. Instead, Minnesota students will continue with distance learning through the end of the semester. MPR News evening update for April 2, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

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Minnesota’s head of employment answers your unemployment questions

Minnesota’s head of employment answers your unemployment questions

With businesses closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment benefit applications have skyrocketed across the country. DEED Commissioner Steve Grove and two economists joined host Angela Davis to talk about the phenomenon and answer listener questions about their own unemployment situations.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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Ad says economic hit is worse than the threat of COVID-19. Is that true?

Ad says economic hit is worse than the threat of COVID-19. Is that true?

A newspaper ad reiterates the idea that the economic hit from using social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19 is worse than letting the virus run its course with less stringent mitigation efforts. But is that true? We talked with the ad’s author, Kevin Roche, and experts about the claim and some of his other statements about the virus.
by Catharine Richert

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1 million coronavirus cases have now been reported worldwide

1 million coronavirus cases have now been reported worldwide

"This virus, which was unknown to us three months ago, has exposed the weaknesses and inequities in our health systems and societies," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says.
by Bill Chappell

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Cruise ships with sick people to dock in Florida

Cruise ships with sick people to dock in Florida

Florida relents and will allow a Carnival cruise ship with sick passengers and crew to dock in Fort Lauderdale. The Zaandam has been at sea for weeks after leaving Argentina.
by Greg Allen

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Rain, ice and snow spread across Minnesota Thursday into Friday; the weekend looks quiet

Parts of Minnesota will see freezing rain and heavy snow this Thursday, while other areas see only rain. Falling temperatures Thursday night and Friday will spread the wintry mix eastward. Our weekend weather looks fairly nice.
by Ron Trenda

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Fact check: A blanket national quarantine is likely not legal

Fact check: A blanket national quarantine is likely not legal

President Trump floated ordering a quarantine in the Northeast, and there are calls for a national stay-at-home order. But the president's powers are limited.
by Brian Naylor

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Falling temperatures are turning rain to ice and snow

A cold front moving across Minnesota is sending temperatures plummeting and will switch rain to ice and snow through Friday. Drier weather returns for the weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Staggering: Record 10 million file for unemployment in 2 weeks

Staggering: Record 10 million file for unemployment in 2 weeks

The staggering number of people claiming jobless benefits set a new record for the second week in a row. Much of the country has been ordered to stay at home, bringing the economy to a lurching halt.
by Avie Schneider

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Rain, ice, snow march across Minnesota Thursday

A cold front that is slicing across Minnesota is bringing rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow across the state through Friday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Want to hear a frank, funny 'Muslim love story'? 'That Can Be Arranged'

Want to hear a frank, funny 'Muslim love story'? 'That Can Be Arranged'

In her graphic memoir, cartoonist Huda Fahmy explains how her parents played a role in her romantic relationships. She hopes her book is representation "for people who want to find love in this way."
by Noel King

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Daily dose of sweetness: Healing words from handmade cards

Daily dose of sweetness: Healing words from handmade cards

Hospitals all across the country are restricting visitors right now because of the coronavirus pandemic. But some kind folks are making sure patients who are alone don't feel like they are alone.
by Nancy Yang

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Medical martial law declared on Red Lake reservation

The order goes into effect on Friday at 5 p.m. MPR News update for April 2, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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In 'Hurricane Season,' words swirl wild and dark

In 'Hurricane Season,' words swirl wild and dark

Fernanda Melchor's poetic, foul-mouthed new novel sits on the border between crime fiction and horror: A woman known as the Witch has been murdered, and her neighbors want to know who did it and why.
by Gabino Iglesias

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April 2 update on COVID-19 in MN: 18 dead; treatment costs waived; schools may stay shut

April 2 update on COVID-19 in MN: 18 dead; treatment costs waived; schools may stay shut

Gov. Tim Walz conceded Thursday that school buildings, which he’d ordered closed through early May, likely won’t reopen this spring. Minnesota health plans have agreed to waive in-network treatment costs for COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations continue to climb.
by MPR News Staff

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Art Hounds: 'Beowulf' finds new meaning with coronavirus

Art Hounds: 'Beowulf' finds new meaning with coronavirus

Plus, Art Hounds recommend story time with a letter-press printer and thousands flock to "Livestream Cover Challenge."
by Marianne Combs

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Paid sick time advocates say pandemic proves point

Paid sick time advocates say pandemic proves point

Even with provisions in coronavirus emergency measures, advocates of paid sick time say the need exists for broader protections.
by Jon Collins

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Some playgrounds remain open, despite coronavirus worries. But are they safe?

Some playgrounds remain open, despite coronavirus worries. But are they safe?

Playgrounds present unique challenges: Social distancing isn't exactly a concept that toddlers or preschoolers understand. Keeping them at least 6 feet apart while they're sliding on a slide or climbing on equipment is virtually impossible.
by Kirsti Marohn

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