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Stories from May 4, 2020

More PFAS foam found in Twin Cities' Battle Creek

More PFAS foam found in Twin Cities' Battle Creek

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is advising people to keep away from foam in the east Twin Cities metro-area creek, after samples of it have again tested positive for elevated levels of the chemicals known as PFAS.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Stearns County posts 23% jump in confirmed coronavirus cases

Pence issues apology for maskless Mayo visit. MPR News evening update for May 4, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Tim Nelson.  Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions -- Open Flames & Li Fonte.

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U.S. Treasury to borrow $3 trillion in 3 months to pay for pandemic

U.S. Treasury to borrow $3 trillion in 3 months to pay for pandemic

In a single quarter, the government will borrow more than twice as much as it did all of last year, as the cost of the coronavirus pandemic dwarfs previous deficits.
by Scott Horsley

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Not-so-small businesses continue to benefit from PPP loans

Not-so-small businesses continue to benefit from PPP loans

SBA data show that demand is still very high for the loans, and that smaller amounts are going out this time. But large, multimillion-dollar loans are still eating up a good chunk of the money.
by Danielle Kurtzleben

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Republicans push Walz to speed up business reopenings

Republicans push Walz to speed up business reopenings

DFL Gov. Tim Walz says he’s working on reopening more businesses that were closed amid COVID-19 concerns, but he’s not sure when it will happen. Senate Republicans say the governor needs to move faster or those businesses will disappear.
by Tim Pugmire

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FDA cracks down on antibody tests for coronavirus

FDA cracks down on antibody tests for coronavirus

These tests are designed to identify people who have been previously exposed to the virus. The Food and Drug Administration is now telling manufacturers they'll have to meet minimum standards.
by Richard Harris

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How the pandemic is changing us

How the pandemic is changing us

Right now, most of us are just trying to keep up with the daily deluge of information. But if history is a guide, this pandemic is quietly changing us and our culture. What might be the lasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Dispute over environmental fund leaves projects on wolves, weeds and mussels in limbo

Dispute over environmental fund leaves projects on wolves, weeds and mussels in limbo

Dozens of projects benefiting Minnesota’s natural resources are now in limbo because of a political dispute at the state Legislature. At the center: An ongoing disagreement over whether a state trust fund should be used to pay for wastewater treatment projects.
by Kirsti Marohn

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'Murder Hornets,' with sting that can kill, land in U.S.

'Murder Hornets,' with sting that can kill, land in U.S.

The world's largest hornet, a 2-inch killer dubbed the "Murder Hornet" with an appetite for honey bees, has been found in Washington state, where entomologists were making plans to wipe it out.
by The Associated Press

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The pandemic economy

The pandemic economy

Unemployment numbers for April will be out this week.They are expected to show a jobless rate of over 16 percent, the highest level since 1948. Also in April, the stock market had its best month since 1987. Businesses, which closed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, are beginning to open up, but how quickly will consumers return? Businesses, households and governments are all racking up lots of debt. What does it all mean? MPR senior economics contributor Chris Farrell offers his thoughts on the current state of the economy. 
by Angela Davis, Chris Farrell and Jim Bickal

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Wildfire smoke causing 33-percent fewer blue sky days in Minnesota summers

Wildfire smoke causing 33-percent fewer blue sky days in Minnesota summers

Climate change is increasing the number and size of wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada. The extra smoke is drifting downwind toward Minnesota and creating more smoke days that obscure Minnesota’s traditionally blue skies.
by Paul Huttner

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Ramadan at home

Ramadan at home

The monthlong observance of Ramadan began April 23. To maintain social distancing, Muslims have been forced to change the way they observe the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. People are not able to gather in mosques as usual and in one neighborhood, the call to prayer is heard over a loudspeaker. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, talks about what it’s like to observe Ramadan during a pandemic.
by Angela Davis and Jim Bickal

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Senate office tells Biden it cannot seek Tara Reade records

Senate office tells Biden it cannot seek Tara Reade records

Joe Biden asked the secretary of the Senate to find "any and all" documentation of a sexual harassment complaint by former staffer Tara Reade, but the office says such records would be confidential.
by Asma Khalid

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Legendary NFL coach Don Shula dies at 90

Legendary NFL coach Don Shula dies at 90

"Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years," the Hall of Fame coach's team said in a statement. Shula had 347 career wins, more than any other coach in NFL history.
by Greg Allen

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With split delayed, United Methodists face a year in limbo

With split delayed, United Methodists face a year in limbo

Had there been no coronavirus pandemic, America’s largest mainline Protestant denomination would be convening this week for a likely vote to break up over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ pastors.
by The Associated Press

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A look at the science of coronavirus as the country loosens restrictions

A look at the science of coronavirus as the country loosens restrictions

All eyes are on states that are loosening social distancing restrictions and what that means for the spread and treatment of COVID-19 infections. We look at these moves, along with the latest science, with two epidemiologists.
by Kerri Miller and Breann Schossow

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Meatpackers cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears

Meatpackers cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears

A South Dakota pork processing plant took its first steps toward reopening after a virus outbreak among workers that was one of the worst in the nation. Smithfield Foods shuttered its Sioux Falls plant for over two weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak that infected over 800 employees.
by The Associated Press

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How to say no: 'Anti-Guru' Sarah Knight suggests you do less and live more

How to say no: 'Anti-Guru' Sarah Knight suggests you do less and live more

Knight has written a series of books about "mental decluttering" — her latest is called “F*ck No!” "Most people will take no for an answer much more easily than you think they will," she says.
by Samantha Balaban

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How did the small business loan program have so many problems in just 4 weeks?

How did the small business loan program have so many problems in just 4 weeks?

Not-so-small companies, like Shake Shack, and organizations like the LA Lakers were able to get loans that were meant for suffering small businesses. What happened?
by Cheryl W. Thompson, Bill Chappell, Graham Smith, Pallavi Gogoi, Danielle Kurtzleben , Jim Zarroli and Laura Sullivan

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Love of literature — and Algeria — illuminates 'Our Riches'

Love of literature — and Algeria — illuminates 'Our Riches'

Kaouther Adimi's novel tells the real-life story of Edmond Charlot, the Algerian bookseller and publisher who witnessed his country's independence struggle — and famously discovered Albert Camus.
by Lily Meyer

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Prince guitar, McCartney Beatles lyrics come up for auction

Prince guitar, McCartney Beatles lyrics come up for auction

Julien's Auctions announced Monday that the auction taking place June 19 and 20 in Beverly Hills, Calif., and online will include a 1984 blue "cloud" guitar custom-made for Prince that he played in his prime period just after "Purple Rain." A purple suit, a pendant and a pair of boots from Prince will be for sale, too.
by The Associated Press

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American public space, rebooted: What might it feel like?

American public space, rebooted: What might it feel like?

Already, there are hints of what institutions and the spaces they occupy could look like, such as vibrating pagers to let you know it’s your turn somewhere or ballparks and movie theaters deliberately keeping seats empty. If even some come to pass, they could alter Americans' relationship with the public realm.
by The Associated Press

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Coronavirus conundrum: How to cover millions who lost their jobs and health insurance

Coronavirus conundrum: How to cover millions who lost their jobs and health insurance

Over 9 million Americans have lost both their job and health coverage. To help them, COBRA is an option, but it could cost buyers more than if subsidies were increased for Affordable Care Act plans.
by Dan Gorenstein and Leslie Walker

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COVID-19 damage to state budget assessed this week

COVID-19 damage to state budget assessed this week

Months ago, lawmakers were debating how to spend extra money. This week, state leaders learn if they’ll have to confront a deficit instead.
by Brian Bakst

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Some nonessential businesses in MN reopen

The state estimates the loosened restrictions could put some 30,000 Minnesotans back to work. MPR News morning update for May 4, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions – Open Flames & Li Fonte

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Increasing clouds and slightly cooler for Monday

A weather system that increases clouds across Minnesota Monday and brings rain for western Minnesota will also keep temperatures below average.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Supreme Court arguments resume — but with a twist

Supreme Court arguments resume — but with a twist

Beginning Monday, for the first time in the Supreme Court's 231-year history, the justices will hear oral arguments by phone in a slate of important cases.
by Nina Totenberg

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May 4 update on COVID-19 in MN: 428 deaths; bars, eateries suffer 'monumental hit'

May 4 update on COVID-19 in MN: 428 deaths; bars, eateries suffer 'monumental hit'

The latest numbers come as the state lifted some curbs on retailers but still left bars and restaurants takeout-only. A top hospitality executive warned that more than half those businesses could go under permanently in the next two months.
by MPR News Staff

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Humankind documentary: 'Ida B. Wells' Battle to Uncover the Truth'

Humankind documentary: 'Ida B. Wells' Battle to Uncover the Truth'

A documentary from the Humankind series: “Ida B. Wells’ Battle to Uncover the Truth.”

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Pence: 'I should have worn a mask' when visiting Mayo Clinic

Pence: 'I should have worn a mask' when visiting Mayo Clinic

The vice president's decision to go without a face covering at the health center was met with public rebuke, especially as it violated the clinic's requirements.
by Benjamin Swasey

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