Stories from May 15, 2020

State health officials want to know more about whether a rare syndrome linked to COVID-19 is occurring in Minnesota’s children. In New York there have been 100 reported cases and three deaths.
Minnesota schools allowed to reopen for summer: Here’s what it means
K-12 schools will be allowed to open their doors to students for a hybrid model of in-person and distance learning starting this summer. Gov. Tim Walz has given the go-ahead for summer school, day camps, and district-based child care as long as they can follow public health guidelines on sanitation and physical distancing.
Pioneer Press columnist Rubén Rosario retires after career of telling memorable stories
Rubén Rosario is leaving his full-time job after 28 years with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Since 1997 he has been writing a column for the newspaper, which tells the stories of remarkable, but otherwise unknown, people and the issues that confront folks who live on the margins of society. He talks about his career as a journalist.
New evidence suggests COVID-19 patients on ventilators usually survive
Early reports suggested death rates as high as 90 percent for COVID-19 patients on ventilators. But some hospitals are now reporting mortality lower than 30 percent.
Walz picks Worthington judge for Minnesota Supreme Court
Gov. Tim Walz named Judge Gordon Moore to serve as the next associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, replacing Justice David Lillehaug, who is retiring.
According to retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley, 90 percent of Minnesota saw at least one frost in the past week — an unusual occurrence for May.
Bethesda Hospital doctor on treating COVID-19 patients
As a COVID-19 specialty center, Bethesda has seen some of the worst of the virus, but also remarkable stories of recovery. For more on the situation there, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Dr. Andrew Olson, who treats patients at Bethesda.
USDA secretary says despite plant closures, he does not anticipate food shortages
Sonny Perdue says he expects "85-90 percent production in probably a very few days or weeks." He also says the government is stepping up efforts to buy food from farmers and distribute it to families.
Minnesota’s regular legislative session is set to end on Monday. With much still up in the air, one thing is certain: this has not been the session that lawmakers were expecting when they convened earlier this year.
After a sunny and mild Friday, the weekend weather cools as a soaking rain moves across southern Minnesota. Temperatures rebound next week, with many parts of Minnesota likely to see their first 80s of the season.
CDC issues tools to guide reopening of schools, businesses, transit
The flowchart-like documents released by the CDC ask businesses, schools and workplaces to first and foremost consider whether reopening is consistent with state and local stay-at-home orders.
Friday brings dry skies, plenty of sunshine and seasonable temperatures.
Minnesota K-12 schools will be allowed to open to students for a hybrid model of in-person and distance learning starting this summer. That's according to a new executive order from Governor Tim Walz. MPR News morning update for May 15, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions -- Open Flames & Li Fonte
May 15 update on COVID-19 in MN: 683 deaths; alert issued for syndrome affecting kids
Minnesota is calling on parents, clinics and doctors to be on the lookout for a worrisome inflammatory condition affecting children believed to be related to COVID-19, and that’s proven deadly elsewhere.
What the 1918 flu can teach us about handling today's pandemic
Public health has come a long way since the deadly flu, but we find ourselves in an oddly similar moment, using many of the same measures employed in 1918, a medical historian says.
Rap video challenge enlists youth to fight pandemic apathy 
More than a dozen teenagers are competing in the COVID-19 rap challenge. The contest urges youth of color to rap about their pandemic experiences and use their voice to curb the spread of the virus in the black community.