Stories from May 11, 2020

Feds warn states that online voting experiments are 'high-risk'
As some states turn to internet voting to increase accessibility for vulnerable populations, the federal government sends out an eight-page report detailing the risks.
The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office said Monday that a Metro Transit Police Department investigation found no indication that an attack last week against a woman at a St. Paul light rail station was racially motivated.
Minnesota posted another decline today in the number of daily tests being run for COVID-19. That’s as Governor Tim Walz and health officials continue to emphasize how critical testing is for controlling the outbreak — and to inform any plan to restart the economy. MPR News evening update for April 15, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.
Artists paint a portrait of a pandemic
The United Nations and Amplifier, an arts group, called on artists to create inspiring and informative posters, graphics and animations around the coronavirus. Here's a selection of submissions.
Minnesota counties say contact tracing is taking too long
COVID-19 testing is ramping up in Minnesota, but contact tracing is lagging behind. County public health officials say the delays may be contributing to community spread of the virus.
The latest on the economy
MPR senior economics contributor Chris Farrell answers questions about the economy.
Will there be a baseball season this year?
There are reports that Major League Baseball is getting ready to announce a plan for how games could resume this year. The president of the Minnesota Twins and a longtime baseball beat writer discuss what it would take to bring baseball back and how it would be different.
Could the pandemic change college forever?
Enrollment was already falling at traditional, four-year institutions. Will COVID-19 force colleges to rethink the very system of how they educate students?
When staying at home is dangerous
Minnesotans have been under a stay-at-home order for seven weeks in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. But what happens when staying at home is unsafe? Across the country, cities are reporting an increase of domestic violence calls. And for many people who live with their abuser, this order has been a nightmare.
Coalition pleads for money to fix Minnesota's aging pipes
A new coalition of cities, business and labor leaders and environmental groups is calling on the state Legislature to provide at least $300 million to repair aging water infrastructure throughout the state.
Experts share latest knowledge about COVID-19 science and policy
The science of the COVID-19 pandemic is driving policy decisions. We explored the latest with two doctors — an infectious disease expert and a health policy researcher.
Minnesota coach buses leave for D.C. to demand federal help
The almost four dozen Minnesota bus companies run a total of nearly 400 coach buses. But they’ve been idled for weeks by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kane, a professor of social work and public health, championed a movement to help seniors find joy in aging.
Temperatures remain cool for the first part of the week, including another freeze potential Tuesday morning.  Then an extended stretch of warmer weather moves in.
As Minnesota retailers reopen, they're navigating a new way of doing business
Monday marks one week since many “nonessential” retailers in Minnesota were allowed to reopen — with limitations. Those stores and service providers had to take safety precautions and minimize their contact with customers, navigating a new way of doing business.
Lawmakers dash toward finish — or just to special session
The Legislature is supposed to be done by next Monday, but the coronavirus pandemic is sure to bring lawmakers back into a special session.
Police spokesperson John Elder said investigators found the cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction. A neighbor saw the fire overnight Sunday at Tawfiq Islamic Center Mosque and called for help.
Dental services can also resume. MPR News morning update for May 11, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions – Open Flames & Li Fonte
Despite sunshine, temperatures across Minnesota Monday will stay well below average with highs only in the 40s and 50s.
Jerry Stiller, comedian and 'Seinfeld' actor, dies at 92
The comedy veteran, who launched his career opposite wife Anne Meara in the 1950s and reemerged four decades later as the hysterically high-strung Frank Costanza on "Seinfeld," died at 92, his son Ben Stiller announced Monday. He died of natural causes, his son — a comedy star himself — said in a tweet.
May 11 update on COVID-19 in MN: 13 more deaths; stay-at-home decisions loom
Minnesota’s COVID-19 toll marched on Monday, with the Health Department reporting 591 deaths and 453 people currently hospitalized. Gov. Tim Walz must decide this week whether to extend or modify his stay-home order, or let it expire.
Market for blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors heats up
As many firms and academic researchers vie for blood donations from survivors in hopes of isolating components for new treatments, one project is turning for help from 10,000 Orthodox Jewish women.
Controversial redesign plan goes before Minneapolis schools this week
District officials say the plan would narrow the achievement gap between students of color and white students. But many families say the possible changes are adding to already high levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advocates: Pandemic making it harder for domestic violence victims to leave
Domestic violence shelters are still open during the pandemic. But advocates say stay-at-home orders are making it harder for people to leave abusive situations — or even just to call for help.
Aspen Ideas Festival: 'Correcting America's Historical Memory'
Pulitzer Prize-winning historians David Blight and Annette Gordon-Reed spoke in a 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival session titled, "Correcting America's Historical Memory."
Georgia AG requests federal probe in handling of Arbery case
Georgia's attorney general on Sunday asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the handling of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who authorities say died at the hands of two white men as he ran through a neighborhood.
Shutdown of tribal casinos deals blow to Indian Country
Several hundred Native American casinos across the country have voluntarily closed during the pandemic, often taking away tribes' main source of income in an effort to protect people's health in communities with limited medical resources.