Stories from April 24, 2020

Cutting your hair at home? Be easy on the clippers
Cutting your own hair is hard. That’s why there are professionals. With the stay-at-home order, one barber has some tips and tricks to keep you looking your best.
A story of how far people will go for love
Paulette Jiles, a National Book Award finalist, returns to familiar characters with her new celebrated Western.
Governor Tim Walz says he won’t sugarcoat the existence of disparities. MPR News evening update for April 24, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Nina Moini.
Mayo doctors volunteer in New York ICU — from Minnesota
In a matter of days, Mayo Clinic doctors assembled a sophisticated telemedicine program that allows them to join New York doctors on their rounds.
Daily Dose of Sweetness: Ms. Rosemary’s surprise birthday
Rosemary Nevils was not expecting much of a celebration for her 71st birthday. Little did she know that her daughter and friend had a surprise in store for her. Just after 3 in the afternoon on Wednesday, a line of cars paraded in front of her St. Paul home with horns honking and classic party anthems from James Brown thumped.
JBS plant employees get drive-through COVID-19 testing
Sanford Clinic Worthington and the Minnesota Department of Health set up the site in just a few days this week to test employees of the JBS pork processing plant, where several dozen workers and their families have already tested positive for the highly contagious disease.
Trump: 'We are getting through this challenge'
At a short briefing Friday afternoon at the White House, President Trump touted the federal government's "aggressive strategy," saying "we are getting through this challenge together as one American family."
FDA warns against use of drugs hailed as 'game changers'
The agency said Friday that using hydroxychloroquine and a related compound, chloroquine, for COVID-19 may cause life-threatening side effects. That warning contradicts the president's own enthusiasm.
Try out something new this weekend at home
We may have a few isolated showers, but we've got plenty of great options to enjoy the weekend. Whether you want a new hobby or new recipe ideas, here are some things to try.
'Our contingency plan is panic': Farmers enter planting season amid low prices, COVID-19
Planting is getting underway in Minnesota, but the pandemic has knocked down crop prices — and the virus threat has farmers like Betsy Jensen on edge during the busy spring season.
Retired University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to reflect on this winter’s snow season.
Our weekend weather will be pleasant overall, but some of us will see a shower and isolated thunderstorm on Saturday. We have the details, plus a forecast for kite-flyers.
Trump signs new relief for small businesses. Here are the details
The biggest item in the $484 billion measure is roughly $321 billion in additional funding for a small-business loan program. President Trump signed the legislation on Friday.
On Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz announced schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Distance learning has been a challenge across the board, and teachers have been trying to quickly adjust to a new reality where students are much harder to reach.
The gift of a garden in troubled times
Gardening has long been a balm for the human soul. Landscape designer Rebecca Winn shares how her garden restored her after heartbreak.
Minnesota’s schools won’t reopen this academic year: Here’s what you need to know
Students across Minnesota have been out of the classroom since the middle of March — first on an extended break, then studying from home in distance-learning mode — because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And they won’t return this academic year. 
Weather for the weekend will stay mild with a couple isolated rain chances.  Plus, if you’re thinking about your gardens, here’s a look at where overnight temperatures are at across the state.
Don't inject disinfectants, Lysol warns as Trump raises idea
The president noted Thursday that researchers were looking at the effects of disinfectants on the virus and wondered aloud if they could be injected into people, saying the virus "does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that."
As many as 100,000 MN workers could head back to work next week. MPR News morning update for April 24, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.
Friday will bring mild temperatures, a mix of sunshine and clouds, and a few isolated showers and storms, especially in the afternoon.
Vikings draft LSU WR Jefferson 22nd and TCU CB Gladney 31st
Justin Jefferson was a late-blooming wide receiver who claimed the last scholarship for LSU's freshman class in 2017 before finishing his college career as a national champion with the school record for receptions. The Minnesota Vikings will be counting on more of that swift progress.
What it might look like to safely reopen schools
From shorter days to smaller classes, school will likely look radically different in the fall.
For artist and author Vivek Shraya, the internet is now a canvas
The multidisciplinary artist has brought new visibility to Canada's trans community. Her new book, “The Subtweet,” chronicles a friendship between two musicians that implodes under online pressures.
New COVID-19 modeling: Social distancing is working in MN — but only if we keep it up
A new data analysis of the coronavirus outbreak by the University of Texas suggests that Minnesota’s social distancing efforts might be paying off in its response to COVID-19 — but it also implies that even bigger outbreaks might lie ahead if those social distancing practices were to end.
Matching health workers with peers to ease stress of fighting pandemic
People who treat patients with COVID-19 face serious challenges to their mental health — from sadness for their patients to worries about their own safety. A new program at the University of Minnesota is trying to address that by connecting health workers with a buddy.
Books for kids stuck at home
There are a lot of bored kids at home right now. Online learning, group chats, video games and television are getting old. Wouldn’t it be nice if those kids had a good book to read? Two experts on children's books join MPR News host Angela Davis to tell us about new books for kids. They also talk about books that go along with activities families can do together, and books that help kids and parents understand the time we’re living through.