Stories from June 12, 2020

MDH data: Nursing homes account for half of COVID-19 deaths in Minn.
Overall, long-term care deaths account for about 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota — those numbers include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care units and group homes.
Experienced judge assigned to officers' cases in Floyd death
The cases of the four former Minneapolis police officers who face charges in the killing of George Floyd have been assigned to a Hennepin County judge who has experience as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor.
U of M regents approve budget, plan to help offset pandemic losses
The budget outline includes freezes on tuition, systemwide hiring and merit pay raises for all employees. Separately, regents approved an initiative for temporary employee pay cuts and furloughs to help make up for $35 million in room and board refunds after students were sent home for the spring semester.
The rise and fall of the statue of Christopher Columbus
The statue of Christopher Columbus was erected on the Capitol grounds in 1931 to show support for Italian immigrants, but in doing so, some believe it erased centuries of Native American history.
Transgender health protections reversed by Trump administration
Trump has reversed Obama-era protections that prohibit discrimination in health care based on gender identity. Critics warn the rule could harm a vulnerable group — LGBTQ people — during a pandemic.
Republicans and Democrats are at odds over how long the special session should go. Meanwhile, the Minneapolis City Council took a first step toward having voters decide whether to remove the police department from the city's charter. MPR News update for June 12, 2020, hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
For immigrants, marching with Black Lives Matter has risks
Many immigrants feel solidarity with the Black Lives Movement and want to participate in ongoing national marches. But they face an added risk of ending up in immigration custody if they get arrested, even for protesting peacefully. 
Special session begins with debate over COVID-19 emergency, police powers
The special session of the Legislature got underway Friday with a debate over extending the emergency authority of Gov. Tim Walz to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Republicans also released a much shorter list of policing changes than the one Walz backed Thursday.
May 2020 ties for warmest on record globally
May 2020 ties for warmest on record globally. The past seven Mays are the warmest in the global temperature record.
Biden's VP list narrows: Warren, Harris, Susan Rice, others
Joe Biden’s search for a running mate is entering a second round of vetting for a dwindling list of potential vice presidential nominees, with several black women in strong contention.
The Duluth lynching, 100 years later
One hundred years later, the city's residents are remembering the killings of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie — even though a large event marking the somber anniversary had to be canceled because of the pandemic. 
World Bank: Recession is the deepest in decades
The World Bank issues a report this week detailing the extent of the recession, the first caused solely by a pandemic. Its findings are sobering — but do offer a glimmer of hope.
An MPR News listener in Duluth wrote to ask whether June has been unusually windy in Minnesota, after observing lilac bushes and trees blowing around more — and more frequently — than in recent memory.
Folks in northeastern Minnesota and portions of northwestern Wisconsin will have to cover their petunias Friday night. We’ll have pleasant highs and comfortable humidity levels this weekend, then temps and dew points ramp up next week. We have your forecast details.
Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders have outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at addressing police brutality and racial injustice. Republican Senate leaders are expected to have more to say on the special session in a Friday news conference. This is an MPR News morning update for June 12, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
We’ll have lighter winds Friday and comfortable temperatures and humidity levels. Northeastern Minnesota could see some frost again Friday night.
Trump RNC acceptance speech moves to Jacksonville after coronavirus dispute
The event was originally planned to be held in Charlotte, N.C., but will now move to Florida after pushback from the North Carolina governor regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Lake of the Woods: The Minnesota county COVID-19 has (so far) forgotten
COVID-19 has spread across nearly the entire state of Minnesota. But Lake of the Woods County, in the state’s far north, is the only county in the state where there are no confirmed cases.
Dear class of 2020: Graduation messages from front-line workers
NPR asked essential workers — who normally would not be asked speak at a commencement ceremony — to offer insight forged by the simple act of showing up every day and doing what needs to be done.
'Bob Kroll has got to go': Calls grow for Minneapolis police union leader's resignation
Critics say Lt. Bob Kroll is blocking the way to real changes in the culture of the Minneapolis Police Department. However, others contend Kroll is only a symptom of a much deeper cultural problem within the department.
Democrats move police changes to top of agenda
Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders say they want changes in the way police officers work to be at center stage in the special session that begins Friday. They have outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at addressing police brutality and racial injustice.
Across Minnesota, graduating seniors mark milestones amid the pandemic
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, graduating seniors faced an unexpected ending and weren’t able to experience last year traditions. We also asked seniors across Minnesota what they’d like to say to their graduating peers and what they want people to know about the class of 2020. Here are some of their heartfelt answers.
Upcoming Trump rally in Tulsa faces backlash over race, coronavirus
The Trump campaign is defending its decision to hold a rally in Tulsa, Okla., a city that experienced one of the country's most horrific episodes of racial violence in 1921.
U of M plans to resume in-person classes this fall
The University of Minnesota plans to return, at least partially, to in-person classes and students on campus this fall, with social distancing and other safety measures for COVID-19.