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Stories from April 22, 2020

Minnesota police discover remains of alleged homicide victim

Minnesota police discover remains of alleged homicide victim

Law enforcement officers investigating the killing and dismemberment of a 19-year-old woman have discovered remains in a western Minnesota landfill believed to be those of the victim, police said Wednesday.
by The Associated Press

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'I have nothing': A small business owner struggles without first round of funding

'I have nothing': A small business owner struggles without first round of funding

Kemi Lawani, owner of Bonita’s Extensions and Braids, was one of the many small business owners who didn’t receive any funding from the Small Business Association’s Paycheck Protection Program loans.
by Tarkor Zehn and Tom Crann

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A sweeping new Covid-19 testing strategy for Minnesota

MPR News evening update for April 22, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Tim Nelson.

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Why the world is still pumping so much oil even as demand drops away

Why the world is still pumping so much oil even as demand drops away

The pandemic means the world is using far less oil. But pumps are still going, creating a huge oversupply. Companies are often willing to operate pumps at a loss — for a little while.
by Camila Domonoske

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Petition urges Minnesota to ‘reopen Brainerd Lakes’

Petition urges Minnesota to ‘reopen Brainerd Lakes’

A petition urging state officials to allow businesses in the popular Brainerd Lakes Area to reopen as soon as possible has gotten thousands of signatures — but also some detractors.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Nearly 150 cases confirmed at Green Bay meat packer; protest still on

Nearly 150 cases confirmed at Green Bay meat packer; protest still on

Health officials have tied nearly 150 coronavirus cases to JBS Packerland meatpacking plant in Green Bay, while the number of people who may have contracted the virus after going to the polls on April 7 has also grown.
by The Associated Press

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DNR wrapping up Minnesota's first biological 'census'

DNR wrapping up Minnesota's first biological 'census'

As Earth Day marks its 50th year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is putting the finishing touches on the state’s first comprehensive survey of this corner of the earth. It’s logged both unexpected discoveries and sobering observations about the health of our environment.
by Tom Crann and Megan Burks

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How the pandemic is changing the ways we bury, cremate and mourn our dead

How the pandemic is changing the ways we bury, cremate and mourn our dead

The way we mourn our loved ones has changed. There are now burials without a crowd. We grieve without hugs. And we celebrate loved ones’ lives on video. These rituals and memorials are so important for the family and friends left behind. How has the funeral industry adapted?
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Trump breaks with Georgia governor on reopening plans

Trump breaks with Georgia governor on reopening plans

President Trump on Wednesday said he disagreed with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to reopen a number of industries in his state, including hair salons and tattoo parlors, saying that he thought the move was premature in the face of the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
by Alana Wise

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Bird watching in your backyard: What to listen for

Bird watching in your backyard: What to listen for

Spring is coming, and even if you can’t enjoy your favorite warm-weather activities because of stay-at-home orders, there’s plenty to explore at home. That’s where our feathered friends come in.
by Angela Davis and Jim Bickal

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For Minnesota restaurants, it’s about survival now

For Minnesota restaurants, it’s about survival now

The owners of a Stillwater eatery describe a stark conundrum: Revenue is way down, but many of their expenses are not.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Do our genes hold the answers to COVID-19’s lethality?  

Do our genes hold the answers to COVID-19’s lethality?  

A geneticist explains how research hopes to uncover why the novel coronavirus is deadly for some, but only mildly irritating to others. Could our unique DNA be the reason?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Tyson Foods idles its largest pork plant after Iowa outbreak

Tyson Foods idles its largest pork plant after Iowa outbreak

Tyson Foods suspended operations Wednesday at an Iowa plant that is critical to the nation's pork supply but was blamed for fueling a coronavirus outbreak in the community.
by The Associated Press

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Backyard nature: A child's first encounter with a baby bunny

Backyard nature: A child's first encounter with a baby bunny

Kristin Schwarze and her daughter Clare have spent most of their time indoors or in their Shoreview yard since the coronavirus pandemic hit Minnesota. But their family isolation was interrupted over the weekend when they found a baby cottontail rabbit.
by Cody Nelson

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After the flood: How Chicago is coping with the effects of climate change

After the flood: How Chicago is coping with the effects of climate change

Chicago is encountering firsthand the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes, the result of record-high lake levels, warmer temperatures, and more frequent major storms.

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1st known U.S. COVID-19 death was weeks earlier than previously thought

1st known U.S. COVID-19 death was weeks earlier than previously thought

The first U.S. COVID-19 death took place on Feb. 6, an autopsy shows. The person died at home in Santa Clara County, Calif., at a time when testing in the U.S. was tightly limited.
by Bill Chappell

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Pork farmers face tough times with plant closures

Pork farmers face tough times with plant closures

Wednesday was the last day of operations at JBS pork processing plant in Worthington before its indefinite closure. This comes after reports of dozens of employees at the plant tested positive for COVID-19.
by Cathy Wurzer and Aron Woldeslassie

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Earth Day turns 50 on a day parts of Minnesota could hit 80

Southern Minnesota celebrates Earth Day Wednesday with some of the warmest weather so far this year. More seasonable and rainy weather returns for the rest of the week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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As people stay home, Earth turns wilder and cleaner

As people stay home, Earth turns wilder and cleaner

Air pollution is down 30 percent in the northeastern U.S. and 49 percent in Rome. Coyotes, pumas and goats are wandering around cities. Sea turtles are nesting better without human interference. Scientists think of this as a grand but unintended experiment that shows how much of a footprint humanity has on the planet. 
by The Associated Press

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University of Minnesota regents approve tuition freeze in response to pandemic

The tuition freeze affects all campuses, but does not apply to students in several professional programs. MPR News morning update for April 22, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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Zencast: Forest bathing and Spring Lake Regional Park

Zencast: Forest bathing and Spring Lake Regional Park

Follow along on a simple guided forest bathing led by certified nature and forest therapy guide Leigha Horton, accompanied by scenes and sounds from Spring Lake Regional Park.
by Christine T. Nguyen

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A large temperature contrast for Wednesday, with 80s possible

Minnesota will see a dramatic temperature range this Earth Day, from highs only in the 30s for some areas near Lake Superior to 70s and possibly 80s for southern Minnesota.
by Nicole Mitchell

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April 22 update on COVID-19 in MN: Deaths jump to 179; Walz unveils major testing push

April 22 update on COVID-19 in MN: Deaths jump to 179; Walz unveils major testing push

"The ship is on the launch pad today,” Gov. Tim Walz said of a massive statewide COVID-19 testing plan with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. He spoke hours after Minnesota reported its largest single-day jump in COVID-19 deaths.
by MPR News Staff

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'Deadly phase': Minnesota's long-term care facilities fight to control coronavirus spread

'Deadly phase': Minnesota's long-term care facilities fight to control coronavirus spread

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities had hoped to keep the coronavirus mostly outside of their doors. But despite their efforts, COVID-19 cases have spread to more than 90 congregate care facilities. More than 70 percent of Minnesota's fatalities are traced to long-term care homes.
by Peter Cox

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Coronavirus upends Ramadan traditions of family, charity, community

Coronavirus upends Ramadan traditions of family, charity, community

Ramadan, the holy month of prayer, fasting and celebration for Muslims worldwide, begins on Thursday. But as mosques are closed and large gatherings are discouraged under the stay-at-home order, Muslims in Minnesota are having to change their religious customs while trying to maintain close community ties.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Why you may get an email about COVID-19 from the Census Bureau

Why you may get an email about COVID-19 from the Census Bureau

The Census Bureau is trying to measure how the pandemic is affecting jobs, spending, housing, education and health in the U.S., so it's asking close to 14 million people to fill out an online survey.
by Hansi Lo Wang

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