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Stories from April 20, 2020

Georgia beginning to reopen its economy, lifting some coronavirus-crisis limits

Georgia beginning to reopen its economy, lifting some coronavirus-crisis limits

Gov. Brian Kemp cited favorable data and more testing in his decision to reopen businesses such as gyms, tattoo parlors and hair salons this Friday. Pennsylvania and Tennessee also announced changes.
by Hannah Hagemann and Brakkton Booker

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Behind rallies to reopen economy, a Minnesota activist and his family

Behind rallies to reopen economy, a Minnesota activist and his family

Across the country, Ben Dorr and his brothers, Chris and Aaron, have long opposed Republican legislators for not being conservative enough on issues ranging from guns to abortion. They are now promoting rallies to reopen businesses in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Their detractors say they spread disinformation to sow confusion among voters.
by Catharine Richert

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The state's largest slaughterhouse closes indefinitely

MPR News evening update for April 20, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

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This Charmin factory keeps humming even as much of America is hunkered down

This Charmin factory keeps humming even as much of America is hunkered down

Although millions of Americans are out of work or working from home, many are still working at factories nationwide. They have some lessons on what it will take to "reopen" the country safely.
by Scott Horsley

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Life of an essential worker: Environmental service employee at Methodist Hospital

Life of an essential worker: Environmental service employee at Methodist Hospital

Joann Palmer is an environmental service worker at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. She’s been cleaning that hospital for more than 30 years. She spoke about working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis and how her job has changed.
by Karen Zamora and Angela Davis

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Nearly 3 million homeowners get mortgage help, but others hit roadblocks

Nearly 3 million homeowners get mortgage help, but others hit roadblocks

Congress ordered lenders to let homeowners who've been hurt financially in the crisis to skip mortgage payments. Many are getting that help, but others say their lenders aren't playing by the rules.
by Chris Arnold

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President Trump doubles down on coronavirus testing capabilities

President Trump doubles down on coronavirus testing capabilities

President Trump said adequate coronavirus testing existed but was being underutilized by governors, following a chorus of complaints by state leaders and health care experts regarding the country's insufficient testing capacity.
by Alana Wise

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Prosecutors charge man suspected in a string of Mpls. sexual assaults

Prosecutors charge man suspected in a string of Mpls. sexual assaults

Authorities say they've linked 34-year-old Jory Daniel Wiebrand to nine incidents of assault, rape and burglary going back to 2013 largely in the Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown neighborhoods near the University of Minnesota.
by Matt Sepic

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Voting in the age of COVID-19

Voting in the age of COVID-19

Voting during a global pandemic requires a new set of rules. But who gets to decide what they are?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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The COVID economy

The COVID economy

Nearly 500,000 people have filed for unemployment in Minnesota over the last five weeks. What is the government doing to help people who are struggling financially? What are the long term impacts on the economy? Are we headed into a recession or depression? MPR’s senior economics contributor Chris Farrell answers questions about how the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic are affecting the economy.
by Angela Davis and Chris Farrell

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Coronavirus spread puts Minnesota’s Willow River boot camp on edge

Coronavirus spread puts Minnesota’s Willow River boot camp on edge

Just 8 miles from a coronavirus outbreak at the Moose Lake prison, another cluster of cases has emerged at a boot camp in Willow River, where up to 180 men live in very close quarters. It's an environment that some family members worry is ripe for the spread of the virus.
by Dan Kraker

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Free-falling: U.S. oil drops below $2 per barrel as demand disappears

Free-falling: U.S. oil drops below $2 per barrel as demand disappears

West Texas Intermediate hit the single digits for the first time in many decades, then kept plummeting, with oil selling for less than $2 a barrel. At the start of 2020, a barrel cost around $60.
by Camila Domonoske

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The latest on the science of the novel coronavirus

The latest on the science of the novel coronavirus

Scientists learn more and more about the novel coronavirus every day. We turn to an infectious disease doctor and virologist for the newest information.
by Kerri Miller and Breann Schossow

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Week ahead weather: Milder with a few chances for rain

A cold front Monday is bringing everything from rain and high winds to a fire risk, but overall this week is going to be much milder and more seasonable than last week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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1 dead in Maple Grove shooting, 1 in custody

Police said the shooting is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community. The shooting remains under investigation.
by The Associated Press

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Pathway to reopening Minnesota should get clearer this week

Pathway to reopening Minnesota should get clearer this week

Gov. Tim Walz and his administration have been consulting with businesses about safety protocols to resume activity without heightening the coronavirus risk. There are still two weeks to go on the current stay-at-home order.
by Brian Bakst

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Monday brings both rain and an elevated fire risk

A cold front slicing across Minnesota Monday will bring everything from possible light rain and snow to high winds that are contributing to an elevated fire danger.
by Nicole Mitchell

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For meat plant workers, virus makes a hard job perilous

For meat plant workers, virus makes a hard job perilous

A cluster of coronavirus cases at a South Dakota pork plant has highlighted the susceptibility of meat processing workers, who stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the line and congregate in crowded spaces.
by The Associated Press

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Reports suggest many have had coronavirus with no symptoms

Reports suggest many have had coronavirus with no symptoms

New research suggests that far more people have had the coronavirus without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. While that's good news, it also means it's impossible to know who around you may be contagious. That complicates decisions about returning to work, school and normal life.
by The Associated Press

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School counselors have a message for kids: 'It's OK to not be OK'

School counselors have a message for kids: 'It's OK to not be OK'

School counselors say the coronavirus pandemic has so destabilized kids' lives that the result is genuinely traumatic. And closed schools make it harder for counselors to help.
by Cory Turner

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April 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: 143 dead; Walz cites good talk with Trump

April 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: 143 dead; Walz cites good talk with Trump

Gov. Tim Walz fielded a wide range of COVID-19 questions Monday, from virus testing to food safety to a weekend talk with President Trump. His comments came hours after JBS, Worthington’s largest employer, said the virus is forcing it to temporarily shut its massive hog processing plant.
by MPR News Staff

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Small businesses race to get financial help amid pandemic — but will it be enough to survive?

Small businesses race to get financial help amid pandemic — but will it be enough to survive?

Small businesses across Minnesota have been approved for $9 billion dollars in paycheck protection plan loans. Now, they’re trying to figure out how they can best use the money to try to survive the COVID-19 crisis.
by Martin Moylan

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