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Stories from May 5, 2020

Whistleblower: U.S. failed to prepare, sought quick virus fix

Whistleblower: U.S. failed to prepare, sought quick virus fix

Rick Bright, a senior government scientist, alleges the Trump administration failed to prepare for the onslaught of the coronavirus, then sought a fix by rushing an unproven drug to patients.
by The Associated Press

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Concern about PPE shortage remains as MN moves to allow elective procedures

Concern about PPE shortage remains as MN moves to allow elective procedures

As the state prepares to reopen hospitals for elective procedures, some nurses at United Hospital in St. Paul are speaking out about a shortage of personal protective equipment, even as the hospital operates at a reduced capacity.
by Tom Crann and Megan Burks

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$4 billion swing in the Minnesota state budget outlook

A new Survey USA poll by KSTP-TV says Minnesotans largely approve of extending the state’s stay at home order until May 18th. MPR News evening update for May 5, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Tim Nelson. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions -- Open Flames & Li Fonte.

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BCA: Willmar man killed himself while confronting police

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says a Willmar man killed himself in a confrontation with police last week. Officers were called to a domestic incident at a Willmar home early Friday. 

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11 attorneys general seek probe into meatpacking industry

11 attorneys general seek probe into meatpacking industry

The attorneys general for 11 Midwestern states, including Minnesota, have urged the Justice Department to investigate market concentration and potential price fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry during the coronavirus pandemic. 
by The Associated Press

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White House coronavirus task force to wind down

White House coronavirus task force to wind down

Vice President Mike Pence said the task force has begun to talk about a transition plan with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
by Brian Naylor

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Production shutdowns shrink meat supplies at stores

Production shutdowns shrink meat supplies at stores

U.S. meat supplies are dwindling due to coronavirus-related production shutdowns. As a result, some stores like Costco and restaurants like Wendy's are limiting sales. U.S. beef and pork processing capacity is down 40 percent from last year. 
by The Associated Press

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A check-in on Minnesota and its response to the coronavirus pandemic

A check-in on Minnesota and its response to the coronavirus pandemic

Minnesota’s stay-at-home order has been extended, but some restrictions have been loosened. As the state moves toward reopening for business, we turn to a guest from the Minnesota Department of Health and a doctor to look at how the state has responded so far and what’s ahead in terms of testing and treatment needs.
by Kerri Miller and Breann Schossow

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Parenting during a pandemic

Parenting during a pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted our daily lives, including the way we parent. While parenting duties have not stopped, many are now working from home and have also stepped in to teach. It’s not easy. Two parenting experts joined the conversation and answered questions about everything from fighting to technology and how to set realistic expectations.
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Some Minnesota businesses are doing well during the pandemic

Some Minnesota businesses are doing well during the pandemic

The stay-home orders to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus have had a devastating effect on the economy. Many companies are struggling or have gone out of business, but some have adjusted to the change in consumer demand and are thriving. Allison Kaplan, editor in chief of Twin Cities Business, tells us about some of the Minnesota businesses that are doing well right now.
by Angela Davis and Jim Bickal

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COVID-19 brings red ink back to state budget

COVID-19 brings red ink back to state budget

A new budget update projects Minnesota will have a $2.4 billion deficit through July 2021. That’s a huge swing from the surplus predicted back in February.
by Brian Bakst

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Photos: 'Front porch' project documents unity during pandemic

Photos: 'Front porch' project documents unity during pandemic

Since mid-April, photographer Scott Streble has been taking photos of families in front of their homes. "When you look at the photos collectively, it's kind of a we're-all-in-it-together sentiment,” he said. He’s done 125 so far.
by Nancy Yang

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Mankato pet cremator sees grief ‘compounded’ amid COVID-19

Mankato pet cremator sees grief ‘compounded’ amid COVID-19

Wendy June, 57, has run Mankato Pet Cremation since summer 2018. An essential worker, she says “Anything that we can do to lessen someone else's load at this time, especially over the loss of people and pets.”
by Cody Nelson

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Pfizer begins coronavirus vaccine trial in U.S.

Pfizer begins coronavirus vaccine trial in U.S.

The vaccine, developed in a partnership between the pharmaceutical giant and a German biotech company, began trials on Monday with 360 volunteer subjects.
by Joe Palca

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Former Medtronic CEO: 'The office is going to change dramatically'

MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Bill George about how the corporate sector is weathering the pandemic — and what changes could come to business in a post-pandemic world.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Parts of Minnesota see rain Tuesday

Rain chances continue Tuesday, especially for western and southern Minnesota, while temperatures remain below average for the entire state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Boundary Waters reopens for day use

The wilderness area remains closed to overnight camping amid the pandemic. MPR News update for May 5, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions – Open Flames & Li Fonte.

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Here come COVID-19 tracing apps — and privacy trade-offs

Here come COVID-19 tracing apps — and privacy trade-offs

Many governments eager to reopen their societies are starting to bet on smartphone apps to help stanch the coronavirus pandemic. But their decisions on which technologies to use highlight some uncomfortable trade-offs between protecting privacy and public health.
by The Associated Press

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6 ways college might look different in the fall

6 ways college might look different in the fall

Colleges have been careful to leave the door open on their plans for the fall semester. Most experts say it will be anything but normal. Here's a sampling of how it could look.
by Elissa Nadworny

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Coronavirus cuts 'deep scars' through meatpacking cities

Coronavirus cuts 'deep scars' through meatpacking cities

Within weeks, the outbreaks around slaughterhouses have turned into full-scale disasters. The virus is killing, sickening and frightening workers and devastating their extended families.
by The Associated Press

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May 5 update on COVID-19 in MN: 455 dead; big hits to state budget, economy

May 5 update on COVID-19 in MN: 455 dead; big hits to state budget, economy

Major stories from Tuesday: Minnesota faces a $2.4 billion deficit tied to COVID-19’s economic fallout; elective surgeries and dentistry can resume; new highs in deaths, current hospitalizations and ICU cases, but we’re not near the peak.
by MPR News Staff

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An uncertain fall means once college-bound students are weighing their options

An uncertain fall means once college-bound students are weighing their options

The unpredictability of COVID-19 has many Minnesota high school seniors reconsidering plans to enroll in college this fall. Many schools are preparing for declining student enrollment and a financial fallout.
by Hannah Yang

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Intelligence Squared debate: Don't eat anything with a face

Intelligence Squared debate: Don't eat anything with a face

Under "stay-at-home" requirements, people are buying more groceries for cooking their meals at home and many of us are thinking more often about what we like to eat. The Intelligence Squared series hosted a debate about one thing many people like to eat — meat.
by MPR News Staff

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Mpls. chefs, writer nominated for James Beard Awards

Mpls. chefs, writer nominated for James Beard Awards

Three have been named finalists for the Best Chef: Midwest, and one for the Outstanding Pastry Chef category in the 2020 James Beard Awards.
by MPR News Staff

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'You deserve to celebrate': A doctor's advice for teens and parents during the pandemic

'You deserve to celebrate': A doctor's advice for teens and parents during the pandemic

Early studies from China say 20 percent of young people are showing trauma-related symptoms following the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. Here’s what Minnesotans can do to address the emotional fallout from the pandemic.
by Tom Crann and Megan Burks

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