Stories from April 14, 2020

Trump says he will halt WHO funding, pending review
The president has been sharply critical of the World Health Organization. "As the organization's leading sponsor, the United States has a duty to insist on full accountability," he said Tuesday.
Dr. Jon Hallberg answers your COVID-19 questions
Should we wear gloves? Should grocery workers leave their work clothes in the garage? Am I at risk if my asthma or diabetes is controlled?
Arts Board changes grant process at a troubled time
The state agency says the change will help artists; some of the artists aren’t so sure.
How Minnesotans keep in touch, from a distance
The ways Minnesotans are staying in touch with their loved ones amid the coronavirus pandemic run the gamut of emotions. Here are some stories from people in the MPR News audience about how they’re communicating in a time of social distancing.
COVID-19: Hard questions, real answers on credit cards, unemployment and your finances
COVID-19 has introduced new financial challenges and exacerbated others for millions of Americans. During a recent national call-in special, two personal finance experts gave advice on everything from mortgage payments to unemployment to stimulus checks.
Debate nationally and here in Minnesota continues to be focused on how and when to start reopening the economy safely. State lawmakers met again today in St. Paul, and we’re hearing more strident calls for Governor Tim Walz to start rolling back work and business restrictions. MPR News evening update for April 14, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.
Parts of U.S. could relax some coronavirus mitigation before May, Trump says
Trump teased that some states might be able to re-open in some form or change their practices before May 1. But he said federal guidelines on social distancing would stay in effect until then.
As unity wanes, Minnesota lawmakers advance new COVID-19 bill
The Minnesota Legislature muscled through additional bills to respond to COVID-19, but the harmony seen earlier in the state’s fight with the coronavirus pandemic has eroded.
3 movies that strike a balance between escapism and anxiety
What to watch next while sheltering in place? Critic Justin Chang recommends “Sorry We Missed You,” “Green for Danger” and “My Neighbor Totoro.“
How are Minnesota’s growers and grocers keeping food safe and in supply
Empty shelves in grocery stores are adding to the anxiety about food scarcity. But grocers and growers are telling Minnesotans that America is not running out of food. On Wednesday at 11 a.m., we check in with those keeping our food safe and in good supply.
The Thread: ‘The Vanishing Half’ a must-read for summer
How’s your summer reading list shaping up? Kerri Miller shares a must-read for that list about colorism, memory and family life in the 1950s and ’60s.
In a mess of COVID-19 feelings, don’t overlook grief
We're in a global pandemic, and a lot of us are feeling scared right now. But there are many other emotions wrapped up in there, too.
Takeaways from Wisconsin’s primary election during a pandemic
In a move decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, Wisconsin held its primary election during a global pandemic. We turn to a journalist who covered the election to look at results and what may be ahead if the pandemic continues into the fall.
Fact check: Trump doesn't have the authority to order states to 'reopen'
The president asserted that he has "total" authority to order states to reopen the businesses they closed to limit spread of the coronavirus. Constitutional law experts disagree.
Minnesota’s walleye season opener is just weeks away, and for many, it’s a sign that summer is coming. But there is growing anxiety among resort owners that this year, vacationers won’t come.
IMF warns of steepest recession since the Great Depression
The fallout from the coronavirus will be much worse than that of the financial crisis, the IMF says. The global economy is expected to shrink by 3 percent this year; the U.S. GDP could fall twice as much.
Obama officially endorses Biden for president
Former President Barack Obama, who had previously stayed out of the 2020 fray, will endorse his former vice president in a video released Tuesday.
In 'Notes From An Apocalypse,' the end of the world is a state of mind
In charming, anxious, tender essays, writer Mark O'Connell examines his own apocalyptic frame of mind by taking "a series of perverse pilgrimages" to subcultures preparing for the end of the world.
Debra Pedro, 66, has owned the Maplewood Perkins for nearly two decades. She told Star Tribune columnist Jennifer Brooks that on a recent Monday, she only got four to-go orders in 11 hours. After Brooks’ column was published, readers came through for Pedro in a big way.
Tuesday remains cold with scattered afternoon snow showers. Then drier skies prevail and temperatures rise the rest of the week.
In MN, enforcement of pollution laws goes on —  with a few exceptions
The state Pollution Control Agency said it’s still requiring industries, farms and other entities with air, water or waste permits to follow state environmental regulations. But it’s also granting leeway in meeting some of those requirements, prompting some environmental groups to call for more transparency.
Light snow showers return across Minnesota Tuesday, especially in the afternoon. The weather also remains colder and breezy.
A man showing symptoms of COVID-19 was booked into the jail on Friday, and isolated pending results of a virus test. MPR News morning update for April 14, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.
April 14 update on COVID-19 in MN: 79 dead; job losses falling hard on people of color
Updating reporters on efforts to ease the virus’ medical and economic damage, Gov. Tim Walz and other state leaders on Tuesday acknowledged the economic fallout from COVID-19 appeared to be falling disproportionately on people of color and on women.
Who will advise Trump on reopening the U.S.? White House to set new pandemic council
President Trump said he would announce on Tuesday who would help him decided when to ease up on social distancing guidelines meant to mitigate the public health impact of coronavirus. Watch Tuesday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing live around 4 p.m.
APM Reports documentary: 'Under a Watchful Eye'
An APM Reports documentary by Sasha Aslanian and Jill Barshay, called "Under a Watchful Eye: How Colleges are Tracking Students to Boost Graduation."
On this edition of the Monday Economic Report, MPR senior economics contributor Chris Farrell talks about the difficulty in filing for unemployment, small businesses and the pandemic’s impact on real estate.
Fire has destroyed three businesses in downtown Grand Marais in northern Minnesota. No one was hurt. The cause remains under investigation.
What we know about the silent spreaders of COVID-19
Some cases of the novel coronavirus are asymptomatic, presymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Scientists are trying to determine their role in transmission of the disease.