Stories from May 27, 2020

Victim in police encounter had started new life in Minnesota
George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, was a former Texas high school football star who was carving out a living in his adopted state. Floyd also had something in common with millions of Americans. He had lost his job because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on prosecutors to charge the police officer accused in the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man. MPR News update for May 27, 2020. Hosted by Brian Bakst and Britta Greene. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions — Open Flames & Li Fonte
Two dead, including police officer, after Grand Forks incident
A police spokesperson said two officers were serving papers to the resident of an apartment in the city when a man inside the apartment started shooting. Inside, they found a woman who’d been shot and killed.
Tropical Storm Bertha is the second tropical cyclone this year to form before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Poll shows only half of Americans plan to get coronavirus vaccine
A survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds 49 percent of Americans overall say they plan to get a vaccination, while 31 percent of respondents say they are unsure. The survey found 20 percent of respondents flat out said they will not.
Larry Kramer, pioneering AIDS activist and writer, dies at 84
Kramer was a writer with an Oscar-nominated screenplay when his friends started dying mysteriously — galvanizing him to found the Gay Men's Health Crisis, and later ACT UP, to combat AIDS.
How the 'lost art' of breathing can impact sleep and resilience
While researching his book, “Breath,” James Nestor participated in a study in which his nose was completely plugged for 10 days, forcing him to breathe solely through his mouth. "I felt awful," he says.
A memoir reflects on what happens to the 'Fairest' of them all
During a boyhood in the Philippines, Meredith Talusan received positive reactions to the white skin and blonde hair accompanying albinism. She found a different response as a trans woman in the U.S.
NAACP leader on George Floyd protests: ‘The anger is rightfully placed’
Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday night in south Minneapolis to protest the death of George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man who died in police custody. The protest started out somewhat peacefully, then escalated into chaos. MPR News reporter Jon Collins and Leslie Redmond, the president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP, shared what they witnessed.
Frey: Charge cop who restrained Floyd; state leaders vow action
“If you had done it, or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said of the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Chief Medaria Arradondo urged respectful protests. State officials vowed a thorough probe.
Weather delays launch of SpaceX Dragon with 2 astronauts aboard
NASA and SpaceX were ready to launch a pair of astronauts from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly nine years on Wednesday, but the weather had other ideas.
What about my license? Questions about DVS and the pandemic, answered
We’ve received a lot of questions during the COVID-19 pandemic about what’s going on with Driver and Vehicle Services. What happens if you missed your road test? What if you need to renew a license tag?
St. Louis County commissioners delay vote — again — on refugee resettlement
The northeastern Minnesota county tabled a vote in January on whether to consent to refugee resettlement. Despite hours of passionate debate Tuesday, the board voted again to delay the decision until federal courts weigh in on the issue.
After areas of heavy rain Tuesday, the rest of the week brings drier skies and more sunshine back across the state.  Temperatures will be cooler by the weekend. 
George Floyd's sister: 'They murdered my brother. They killed him.'
Firing the officers involved is “definitely not enough justice for me or my family. I feel like those guys need to be put in jail,” Bridgett Floyd told Good Morning America on Wednesday.
American Indian group digitizes decadeslong radio archive
The local American Indian media organization Migizi Communications has a significant archive of reel-to-reel audio tapes from radio shows dating back to the mid-70s. The audio chronicles remarkable moments in modern Native American history, but up until very recently it was largely lost to time.
Trump threatens social media after Twitter fact-checks him
Claiming tech giants "silence conservative voices," the president tweeted Wednesday that, "We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen." President Trump can't unilaterally regulate or close social media companies, as that would require action by Congress or the Federal Communications Commission.
Skies have finally dried across all but southeastern Minnesota, and most of the state will see plentiful sunshine Wednesday after widespread areas of morning fog lift.
Protesters gathered in the street near where George Floyd was detained, and later clashed with officers outside a police precinct. MPR News morning update for May 27, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions – Open Flames & Li Fonte.
Twitter places fact-check warning on Trump tweet for 1st time
A link is added to a tweet in which the president claims without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent. A Twitter spokesperson says the tweet wasn't deleted because it didn't discourage voting.
Is it a farm or a sculpture park? Both
Fresh produce meets the arts in a planned north Minneapolis installation.
May 27 update on COVID-19 in MN: Deaths top 900, intensive care cases rise
State health leaders are paying close attention to the daily intensive care counts, a key metric, as they work to manage the spread of the disease so it doesn’t overwhelm the state’s health care system.
As lockdown orders lift, can cities prevent a traffic catastrophe?
As businesses reopen, many city dwellers worry about the risks of public transit. Cities are trying to figure out how to safeguard public health, keep people moving and avoid a gridlock nightmare.
Pandemic pushes more people into insurance market
People who lose health insurance have options to continue health care coverage, but the choices are often confusing and differ greatly in cost and coverage.
Thunderstorms could drop heavy rain in parts of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin Tuesday evening into the overnight hours of Tuesday night. Drier weather is on tap for Wednesday.
The National Weather Service Twin Cities has canceled a tornado warning for the east Twin Cities metro area. A flash flood watch remains in effect for southeastern Minnesota until early Wednesday morning.
Biden to keynote Minnesota Democrats' online convention
Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker when Minnesota Democrats hold a virtual state convention under the theme “Minnesota Together” this weekend. Biden will address the delegates online Sunday, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who’s considered a potential running mate.