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Stories from May 6, 2020

Favre repaying $1.1 M for no-show speeches, auditor says

Favre repaying $1.1 M for no-show speeches, auditor says

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre is repaying $1.1 million in welfare money that he received for multiple speeches where he did not show up, the Mississippi state auditor said Wednesday.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota sees single highest daily death toll from COVID-19

City officials in Thief River Falls have asked the state to lift the stay at home order in their city and let business return to normal. MPR News evening update for May 6, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene and Tim Nelson. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions -- Open Flames & Li Fonte.

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COVID-19 aid starts flowing to tribes after weeks of confusion

More than a month after Congress OK’d $8 billion, the federal government announced a plan to channel aid to tribal governments across the country. White Earth said it received $20.6 million.
by Dan Gunderson

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Opponents file new challenge to proposed Twin Metals mine

Opponents file new challenge to proposed Twin Metals mine

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges the Bureau of Land Management should have prepared an in-depth environmental impact statement but conducted only a limited review.
by The Associated Press

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Pork processing resumes at JBS plant shut down by pandemic

Pork processing resumes at JBS plant shut down by pandemic

The move comes a week after an executive order from President Trump designed to get the country’s meat supply chain back up and running.
by John Enger

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The pandemic emptied American roads — But driving is picking back up

The pandemic emptied American roads — But driving is picking back up

Miles driven in the U.S. plummeted remarkably in the middle of March — dropping by 30 percent in a single week. Now driving is slowly resuming, a trend that began before stay-at-home orders were lifted.
by Camila Domonoske and Stephanie Adeline

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Metro Transit investigating assault at Green Line station

The incident, captured on video and confirmed by security cameras, shows a young man kicking an elderly Asian American woman in the face.
by Brandt Williams

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Which states are reopening? A state-by-state guide

Which states are reopening? A state-by-state guide

State leaders implemented sweeping measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Many are now deciding when and how to lift various restrictions.
by Rachel Treisman

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What alcohol and drug use recovery is like during the pandemic

What alcohol and drug use recovery is like during the pandemic

The pandemic is taking a toll on mental health. Stress, isolation, uncertainty, boredom — all of these can cause depression and anxiety to take hold. But they can also be triggers for people who experience substance use disorders, or addictions to alcohol or drugs.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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As businesses reopen, a fight is brewing over worker safety lawsuits

As businesses reopen, a fight is brewing over worker safety lawsuits

Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell insists any coronavirus relief bill must protect employers from lawsuits filed by workers who get sick. Workers' rights advocates oppose such a move.
by Scott Horsley

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An 11-year-old girl writes to thank her mailman. Postal workers write back

An 11-year-old girl writes to thank her mailman. Postal workers write back

Emerson Weber, a 5th grader in South Dakota, wanted to say thank you to Doug, her mail carrier, for his service while millions stay at home. Now, she's received dozens of notes of gratitude in return.
by James Doubek and Jonaki Mehta

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Processing plant closures put spotlight on ag supply chain

Processing plant closures put spotlight on ag supply chain

The JBS pork processing plant in Worthington partially re-opened Wednesday, after closing two weeks ago to stem a COVID-19 outbreak among workers. Its closure, coupled with that of another massive pork plant in nearby Sioux Falls, has caused major disruptions in the pork industry.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Policast: The pandemic hits the state budget

The pandemic hits the state budget; hospitals prepare to reopen for non-emergency procedures
by Mike Mulcahy

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Trump: COVID-19 task force not dismantling, just refocusing

Trump: COVID-19 task force not dismantling, just refocusing

One day after saying that the COVID-19 task force would be winding down, President Trump says it would continue on indefinitely, but focus on rebooting the economy. A White House official acknowledged that signaling that the task force was preparing to shut down sent the wrong message and created a media maelstrom.
by The Associated Press

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20.2 million private-sector jobs are gone

20.2 million private-sector jobs are gone

The record job losses are a preview of the Labor Department's employment report for April coming Friday. ADP's new numbers are not surprising, given the more than 30 million jobless claims filed.
by Avie Schneider

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A warm day Wednesday, then temperatures tumble

After warm weather Wednesday, temperatures dive by the end of the week.  Precipitation remains limited.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Sorry, we have to cancel: Minnesota resorts worry about their survival

Sorry, we have to cancel: Minnesota resorts worry about their survival

Many vacationers are canceling resort reservations because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some resorts have chosen not to open at all. Those that do are having to reimagine the summer experience in the era of social distancing.
by Dan Gunderson

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Wednesday stays mild even with a few more clouds

Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a very isolated rain chance.  It will likely be the warmest day Minnesota sees for at least the next week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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JBS pork processing plant reopens

The Worthington plant shut down in April after a number of employees tested positive for COVID-19. MPR News morning update for May 6, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions – Open Flames & Li Fonte.

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Do those birds sound louder to you? An ornithologist says you're just hearing things

Do those birds sound louder to you? An ornithologist says you're just hearing things

Think of how it works in a noisy bar: people raise their voices to be heard. Same for birds. With less background noise outside these days, it's likely that birds are actually singing more quietly.
by David Greene

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May 6 update on COVID-19 in MN: 30 more deaths; total cases surge above 8K

May 6 update on COVID-19 in MN: 30 more deaths; total cases surge above 8K

The latest counts come a day after budget officials conceded COVID-19 has blown a $2.4 billion hole in the state budget and Minnesota’s economy won’t recover from the pandemic anytime soon.
by MPR News Staff

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The IRS sent coronavirus relief payments to dead people

The IRS sent coronavirus relief payments to dead people

The IRS has delivered more than $207 billion in coronavirus relief payments to individual taxpayers, but some of the recipients of the relief checks are the bank accounts of people who have died.
by Tim Mak

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MN hospitals welcome return of elective procedures; nurses union wary of move

MN hospitals welcome return of elective procedures; nurses union wary of move

In an executive order Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz lifted the temporary ban that he imposed seven weeks ago, which was part of an effort to save scarce masks and gowns for the COVID-19 fight.
by Matt Sepic

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National Science Foundation documentary: Listening to the Arctic

National Science Foundation documentary: Listening to the Arctic

The Arctic is warming faster than nearly everywhere else on Earth, bringing with it new opportunities and unprecedented risks — environmental, social, economic, cultural, legal and political.
by MPR News Staff

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Justice Ginsburg in hospital with infection, court says

Justice Ginsburg in hospital with infection, court says

The 87-year-old justice underwent nonsurgical treatment Tuesday for what the court described as acute cholecystitis, a benign gall bladder condition, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She expects to be in the hospital for a day or two, the court says.
by The Associated Press

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