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Stories from April 9, 2020

MN corrections commissioner: Early inmate releases possible for COVID-19

MN corrections commissioner: Early inmate releases possible for COVID-19

Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell says he is not downplaying the COVID-19 risks for inmates and staff, and is looking for ways to create safer spaces. Schnell says he is considering the release of some prisoners up to six months early to allow more space between inmates.
by Tom Crann and Nina Moini

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Planting roots: Gardening while staying at home

Planting roots: Gardening while staying at home

A few tips for getting a small veggie garden going at home amid a pandemic.
by Matt Mikus

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Justice delayed: Virus crisis upends courts system across U.S.

Justice delayed: Virus crisis upends courts system across U.S.

In Minnesota, the virus has postponed the federal trial of an Illinois militia leader accused of being the ringleader in the 2017 pipe bombing of a Bloomington mosque. Michael Hari’s trial was already postponed once. Now it’s scheduled for late July.
by The Associated Press

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Trump says oil producers 'close to a deal' to stabilize cost

Trump says oil producers 'close to a deal' to stabilize cost

At Thursday's White House coronavirus task force briefing, Trump addressed questions about when, and how, the country could reopen.
by Alana Wise

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Vigorous snow squalls fade by Thursday evening

“If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes” — That old Minnesota weather saying seems fully appropriate today. Scattered snow squalls are sailing southeastward across Minnesota Thursday.
by Paul Huttner

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UK's Johnson out of intensive care as his condition improves

UK's Johnson out of intensive care as his condition improves

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved out of intensive care Thursday at the London hospital where he is being treated for the new coronavirus, as his government told Britons to prepare for several more weeks in lockdown.
by The Associated Press

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Traffic deaths spike in Minnesota despite low vehicle volume

Traffic deaths spike in Minnesota despite low vehicle volume

Department of Public Safety officials say even though traffic volume has dropped by about 50 percent since the stay-at-home order, fatalities on Minnesota roadways increased 50 percent over the past few weeks.
by Mark Zdechlik

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What are you watching in quarantine?

Social distancing can be lonely, but television and movies can help. What are you watching to help get you through the coronavirus crisis?
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Businesses shuttered by COVID-19 get sales tax extension

Businesses shuttered by COVID-19 get sales tax extension

Minnesota businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions will have more time to pay sales taxes. Further relief is under discussion.
by Brian Bakst

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Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey on the city’s coronavirus response

Cities across the country are facing significant declines in tax revenue, even as they commit to emergency spending on aid and supplies. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey about the city’s economic forecast and its coronavirus response.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Weekend weather: Mild Saturday; some rain, snow chances Sunday

April can feature a wide variety of weather in Minnesota. We have the updated weekend forecast, which includes the possibility of Sunday flakes in some areas.
by Ron Trenda

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Senate Democrats block GOP effort to boost small-business aid

Senate Democrats block GOP effort to boost small-business aid

Democrats want to funnel the extra funding through community-based financial institutions, which they say help businesses owned by minorities, veterans and rural Americans across the country.
by Kelsey Snell

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Light rain, snow Thursday; strong storm targets Minnesota Sunday

It will remain cold and occasionally wet Thursday, then temperatures briefly warm ahead of a potent storm that hits Minnesota on Easter Sunday with wind, rain, snow and colder weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Jobs carnage mounts: 17 million file for unemployment in 3 weeks

Jobs carnage mounts: 17 million file for unemployment in 3 weeks

The number of people seeking jobless benefits shot up again last week, as 6.6 million more of the unemployed filed first-time claims. Much of the economy has shut down, leaving millions out of work.
by Jim Zarroli and Avie Schneider

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Gusty winds are drawing in colder weather for Thursday

More cold air is moving into Minnesota aided by winds out of the northwest, while scattered rain and snow showers continue across the state through the day.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Number of COVID-19 hospitalizations continues to rise in Minn.

Since the weekend, the number of new hospitalizations in the state has averaged nearly two dozen per day. MPR News morning update for April 9, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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AP interview: Garnett talks SuperSonics, Kobe, Hall of Fame

AP interview: Garnett talks SuperSonics, Kobe, Hall of Fame

Kevin Garnett recently found out that he's going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. He's struggling, as so many are, with the news and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. He also has dreams to chase, and one of them is that he would like to see the NBA back in Seattle one day.
by The Associated Press

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HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted

HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted

The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.
by The Associated Press

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April 9 update on COVID-19 in MN: 50 dead; Walz faces GOP pushback over stay-home order

April 9 update on COVID-19 in MN: 50 dead; Walz faces GOP pushback over stay-home order

Gov. Tim Walz urged Minnesotans to stay vigilant to help control the disease’s spread, and he responded to fresh criticism from a key GOP leader that extending the stay-at-home order through May 4 wasn’t warranted.
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota's governor says staying home works and needs to continue

Minnesota's governor says staying home works and needs to continue

Even as he extended the stay-at-home order, Gov. Walz made some adjustments to the activities that can resume. The revised directive allows craft stores to distribute supplies for homemade face masks. Business owners will have some flexibility to manage inventory. Landscapers can work again.
by Matt Sepic

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Norm Ornstein on the congressional and presidential response to the pandemic

Congressional scholar Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute speaks about the government and leadership response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic and mental and physical health crisis it has caused.
by MPR News Staff

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How safe is it to eat takeout?

How safe is it to eat takeout?

With fear of infection on our minds these days, it's easy to get panicky about everyday choices. Infectious disease and food safety experts weigh in on ordering dinner to go.
by Fran Kritz

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Smithfield temporarily shuts pork plant due to coronavirus

Smithfield temporarily shuts pork plant due to coronavirus

Smithfield Foods says its pork processing plant in South Dakota will temporarily close for cleaning after over 80 employees were confirmed to have the coronavirus. The company plans to suspend operations in a large section of the Sioux Falls plant on Saturday, then completely close on Sunday and Monday.
by The Associated Press

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