Stories from June 16, 2020

A drug offers hope amid spikes in coronavirus infections
Researchers say the steroid, called dexamethasone, reduced deaths by 35 percent in patients who needed breathing machines. It's a welcome bit of hope as countries grapple with spikes in contagion as they loosen restrictions and reopen their economies.
Federal prosecutors have charged a Rochester, Minn., man with arson for a fire at a Minneapolis pawn shop during the unrest following the death of George Floyd. 
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo on Tuesday pleaded for patience from the people of Minneapolis as well as from his own officers. Arradondo said he’s been getting reports of people interfering with police and emergency medical personnel, even as they’re administering life-saving procedures. This is an MPR News evening update for Tuesday, May 16, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Man arrested in Colorado charged in Minneapolis police fire
A Minnesota man arrested in Colorado has been charged on suspicion of setting some of the fires that destroyed a Minneapolis police station on a night when protests over the killing of George Floyd turned violent. 
Let officers do their jobs, Minneapolis police chief tells residents
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said he’s been getting reports of people interfering with police and emergency medical personnel, even as they’re administering life-saving procedures.
Senate Judiciary holds hearing on police use of force
The hearing includes two panels, one on policing in the black community, and another, the chairman said, with "folks who can tell us about the other side of the story and ways to go forward." Witnesses include St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and the heads of several police organizations.
Canada, U.S. and Mexico extend border restrictions to July 21
The U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to extend their agreements to keep their shared borders closed to nonessential travel to July 21 during the coronavirus pandemic.
APM ends 'Live from Here', lays off 28 employees
Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media on Tuesday announced more than two dozen layoffs and the cancellation of a national program.
Deadly force law a key issue in Capitol policing debate
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, Minnesota lawmakers are weighing whether to raise the bar on when police use of lethal force is justified. While there is some overlap between House and Senate proposals, they’re not quite on the same page.
The future of travel
Airlines are flying mostly empty planes; cruise ships are docked; the travel industry is reeling. Are you thinking about travel in different ways?
Summer heat in 2020 is off and running
The summer of 2020 is off to a hot start. We’re likely to move past last summer’s total 90-degree days this week.
Gov. Walz, DFL leaders speak on restarting economy
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan held a press conference to discuss their plan for the state’s economy for the special session.
'I see these conversations as protective': Talking with kids about race
What does it mean to be anti-racist, and how should adults talk to kids about race and racism? Children's author Renée Watson and anti-racism scholar Ibram X. Kendi suggest starting with books.
Call to Mind: Spotlight on parenting during coronavirus
The pandemic is having a major impact on all our lives and the lives of our families. How can we better manage our own mental well-being, so we can better support our loved ones?
Canada, U.S. and Mexico extend border restrictions to July 21
The U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to extend their agreements to keep their shared borders closed to nonessential travel to July 21 during the coronavirus pandemic.
CDC now recommends driving alone. But what if you don't have a car?
Some people who are carless by choice find themselves reassessing that decision. And those who can't afford cars face increased risks, in yet another example of the pandemic exacerbating inequalities.
Hot, humid, and windy weather persists across Minnesota through Wednesday, then the weather turns more active again by Wednesday evening, bringing periods of showers and storms through the end of the week.
Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd early Tuesday during a second consecutive night of unrest in St. Cloud. About 100 people demonstrated with some protesters chanting some of George Floyd's last words "I can't breathe" before he died on a Minneapolis street.
Poll: Americans are the unhappiest they've been in 50 years
The survey finds just 14 percent of American adults say they're very happy, down from 31 percent who said the same in 2018. That year, 23 percent said they'd often or sometimes felt isolated in recent weeks. Now, 50 percent say that.
What are the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19?
It's hard to say exactly what the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19 are, because the coronavirus is still so new. But some patients experience a variety of symptoms long after their infections have cleared. The most common longer-term issues are bouts of exhaustion, headaches, anxiety and muscle aches.
Tuesday brings the return of hot and humid weather across Minnesota, and it will be windy again, especially for the western edge of the state.
How decades of bans on police chokeholds have fallen short
A federal ban on police use of chokeholds has been discussed in recent weeks, but NPR reviewed the internal policies of several large U.S. police departments and found them difficult to enforce.
The state Dept. of Education is asking districts and charter schools to plan for three different scenarios this fall: in-person classes, distance learning, or a hybrid of the two. A decision on those scenarios is expected by late next month. MPR News morning update for June 16, 2020. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
June 16 update on COVID-19 in MN: 9 more deaths; hospitalizations, ICU cases stable
Total deaths climbed to 1,313, but Tuesday marked the first time since mid-April where deaths stayed in the single digits for two consecutive days. Intensive care cases — a closely watched measure of how Minnesota is handling the spread — are at their lowest in more than a month.
'Miss Iceland' is a subdued, powerful portrait of a suppressed society
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir's atmospheric novel, about a young writer and her outcast friends in 1963 Iceland, will transport you to another time and place, though not necessarily a rosier time and place.
Omar announces father's death from COVID-19 complications
In a statement, the congresswoman said Nur Omar Mohamed died Monday. She gave no additional information In her statement, Omar said no words can describe what her father meant to her.
The great pandemic bake-off may be over
The price of baking flour has fallen along with the price of eggs, suggesting an easing in the baking craze that gripped hungry and housebound consumers in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.
House Democrats move quickly on police changes
The Minnesota House moved a DFL-crafted plan for greater police accountability through three committees Monday after a marathon hearing over the weekend. State Senate Republicans are set to begin working on a much smaller plan Tuesday, as some in the GOP say the House is moving too quickly.
BBC special: America Beyond Black and White
With America engulfed again by protests against police brutality and racial discrimination, in this BBC Special “America: Beyond Black and White,” host Rajini Vaidyanathan brings together a group of African American writers to discuss how America might move beyond its current racial turmoil.
How to get out and save summer in Minnesota
Nothing beats summer in Minnesota, and although the pandemic is messing with our travel plans, there are plenty of things to do safely right in our state.
MN Legislature nears agreement for COVID-19 aid to cities, counties
Minnesota will distribute $841 million in federal money to smaller local governments under the federal CARES Act, on top of $361 million Congress gave directly to Hennepin and Ramsey counties.