Stories from May 17, 2020

Girl Scout camps in Minnesota canceled for the summer
“Making the decision to cancel camp was honestly one of the hardest things I’ve done in the 26 years I’ve worked at Girl Scouts, because girls in the out-of-doors is core to what we believe in,” said Leigh Ann Davis, CEO for the Lakes and Pines council.
Sunday rainfall set a record; temperatures rebound this week
After a rainy, cold and windy Sunday, we’re ready for drier and milder weather. We have some nicer weather on tap for the week ahead. Details on that, plus a look at our weekend rainfall totals.
Minnesota House defeats attempt to allow in-person graduation ceremonies
The proposal to grant clearance to Minnesota schools to hold in-person graduation ceremonies was a response to state guidelines that discouraged those ceremonies during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bike sales gear up as the homebound try socially distant exercise
Retailers and manufacturers are talking about a "mini bike boom." People stuck at home are trying out bikes for exercise and recreation, a bike industry coalition group representative says.
'We're like a lifeline': Postal workers fight fear to work during pandemic
Mail carriers Craig Boddie and Evette Jourdain say there’s a lot of fear while working amid the pandemic. But they take the responsibility of delivering essentials to residents seriously. “We're like a lifeline," Boddie said. "Getting these people their medicines, their supplies.”
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota climbed past 15,000 on Sunday, with 22 more deaths reported in the state. MPR News update for May 17, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright.   Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions — Open Flames & Li Fonte
Home but not safe, some LGBTQ young people face rejection from families in lockdown
"A lot of young people when they make it to college are able, for the first time, really, to live their truth," says psychologist Megan Mooney. Now, many young people must stay in a home setting that forces them to hide their identity again.
Yellowstone National Park set to reopen — but with caveats
There is growing economic pressure to reopen national parks and ease travel restrictions even as many states are still seeing a rise in coronavirus cases.
DIY during quarantine. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty
Stay-at-home orders have inspired many people to take on do-it-yourself projects and tackle their own home repairs. But sometimes a toolbox and YouTube videos aren't enough to prevent disasters.
The rain will continue through Sunday afternoon in many areas, and it’ll linger even longer to the east and southeast. We have some updated rainfall totals and a look at how much more rain we can expect.
Biden's VP search puts spotlight on how long he'll serve
Biden has referred to himself as a “transition candidate," acting as a bridge to a younger generation of leadership. If he wins in November, those comments are contributing to intense speculation about who is best positioned to lead the party after him.
May 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: Confirmed cases climb past 15,000
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota climbed past 15,000 on Sunday, with 22 more deaths reported in the state. The number of completed tests was down from the previous day, but still well above the 5,000-test goal set by state officials.
More Minnesota restaurants announce permanent closures
While restaurants across Minnesota await the chance to resume some dine-in operations, a growing list of restaurants in the state say they won't reopen, even after COVID-19 business restrictions are lifted.
'A lot to be hopeful for': Crisis seen as historic, not another Great Depression
The speed and scale of the economic crash have drawn comparisons to the Great Depression. But this downturn should be shorter, former Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and other economic historians say.
Soggy, cool and windy; a look at rain totals
A pesky low pressure system is bringing us soaking rains today. We have details on how much rain we have already seen and how much more rain we can expect.
Finding love — and feeling worthy of it — in 'Felix Ever After'
Kacen Callender's new young adult novel centers on a queer, trans teen trying to find out who's behind a traumatizing transphobic act — a quest that takes him on an emotional roller coaster.
Police in St. Paul and Minneapolis are investigating fatal shootings that happened over the weekend. And five people were injured in two other shootings in Minneapolis.
Phyllis George, female sportscasting pioneer, dies at 70
“A lot of times when you’re dreaming of something as a career option, you have to see it in order to believe it,” ESPN sportscaster Hannah Storm said. “And someone has to be first, and that was Phyllis.”