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Stories from June 17, 2020

'A Good Time for the Truth: Race in MN' chosen as next One Book One Minnesota read

'A Good Time for the Truth: Race in MN' chosen as next One Book One Minnesota read

The Friends of the St. Paul Library has announced that the second selection for its One Book One Minnesota program is the 2016 anthology “A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota.” The book centers around conversations about racial disparities in Minnesota through essays written by Native American writers and writers of color.
by Hannah Yang

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'Hampton' no more: Man sheds family name with ties to Confederate general

'Hampton' no more: Man sheds family name with ties to Confederate general

Skip Auld's great-grandfather was named after Wade Hampton III. Four generations of Auld men shared the name — until last year, when Auld learned more about Hampton's racist life and legacy.
by Christianna Silva

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U of M to fund more CWD research in Minnesota’s deer herds

U of M to fund more CWD research in Minnesota’s deer herds

Researchers at the University of Minnesota were awarded new funding on Wednesday to study the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state’s deer herds. The goal is to determine how the fatal deer disease is passed to animals through plants and tainted water.
by John Enger

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5 years after Charleston church massacre, what have we learned?

5 years after Charleston church massacre, what have we learned?

In 2015, a white supremacist murdered nine worshippers at a historic African American church in South Carolina. The heinous tragedy prompted a racial reckoning that has lessons for today.
by Debbie Elliott

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Black Lives Matter network establishes $12M grant fund

Black Lives Matter network establishes $12M grant fund

The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation has established a fund worth more than $12 million to aid organizations fighting institutional racism, in the wake of the George Floyd protests.
by The Associated Press

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Sweeping legislation on police reform looking unlikely

We’re now well into the special legislative session that opened last Friday. Prospects for a suite of criminal justice reforms that some activists and democrats have been pushing are looking dim. This is an MPR News evening update for Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Not 8:46: Actual time Floyd was being knelt on off by one minute, prosecutors say

Not 8:46: Actual time Floyd was being knelt on off by one minute, prosecutors say

Since George Floyd was killed, eight minutes and 46 seconds has become part of the rallying cry in worldwide protests. But prosecutors on Wednesday acknowledged that the actual time is seven minutes and 46 seconds. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says that the one minute error made no difference in the decision to file charges.
by Matt Sepic

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GOP lawmakers blast Secretary of State Simon for deal in voting lawsuits

GOP lawmakers blast Secretary of State Simon for deal in voting lawsuits

Minnesota’s witness requirement for absentee ballots would be suspended for the Aug. 11 primary under an agreement reached between the state and the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the current rules. DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon made the concession to the challenging groups, and that has Republican lawmakers crying foul. 
by Tim Pugmire

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Bolton: Trump moves in office guided by reelection concerns

Bolton: Trump moves in office guided by reelection concerns

President Donald Trump "pleaded" with China's Xi Jinping during a 2019 summit to help his reelection prospects, according to a scathing new book by former Trump adviser John Bolton that accuses the president of being driven by political calculations when making national security decisions.
by The Associated Press

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Officer who shot Rayshard Brooks charged with felony murder

Prosecutors brought murder charges against the white Atlanta police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks in the back, saying that the black man posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment as he lay dying on the ground.
by The Associated Press

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City of Duluth moves to remove the word 'chief' from key job titles

City of Duluth moves to remove the word 'chief' from key job titles

The Duluth City Council will vote Monday on a proposal to change the city’s “chief administrative officer” position to “city administrator.” The goal is to “proactively remove language that is harmful, misrepresentative, and derogatory.”
by Dan Kraker

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Heatwave breaks with thunderstorms Thursday

It’s the fifth day this year of 90-degree heat for much of Minnesota. A cold front spawns scattered thunderstorms Thursday.
by Paul Huttner

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DOJ proposes rolling back legal protections for online platforms

DOJ proposes rolling back legal protections for online platforms

The Justice Department's proposed legislation follows a May executive order by President Trump to limit protections for social media after Twitter began adding fact checks to some of his tweets.
by Avie Schneider

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AP-NORC poll: Sweeping change in U.S. views of police violence

AP-NORC poll: Sweeping change in U.S. views of police violence

A dramatic shift has taken place in the nation’s opinions on policing and race, as a new poll finds that more Americans today than five years ago believe police brutality is a very serious problem that too often goes undisciplined and unequally targets black Americans.
by The Associated Press

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Black leaders say Fargo officials aren't addressing demands

Black leaders say Fargo officials aren't addressing demands

Fargo's mayor and police chief are responding to complaints they have stopped talking with black leaders in the city about a list of demands that grew out of protests over George Floyd's death and racial inequality.
by The Associated Press

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5 radical schooling ideas for an uncertain fall and beyond

5 radical schooling ideas for an uncertain fall and beyond

American education is full of innovators practicing alternatives to the mainstream. Now, some of those alternatives are proving their mettle.
by Anya Kamenetz

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Target permanently raises starting hourly pay to $15

Target permanently raises starting hourly pay to $15

Target Corp. says it's permanently increasing starting hourly wages for its workers to $15 beginning July 5, several months ahead of schedule.
by The Associated Press

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Target, Best Buy, U.S. Bank make Juneteenth a company holiday

Target, Best Buy, U.S. Bank make Juneteenth a company holiday

Best Buy is joining Target and U.S. Bank with plans to observe Juneteenth, the June 19 celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, as a company holiday.
by Tim Nelson

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Wednesday stays hot, then cooler weather returns

After another hot and breezy day Wednesday, a cold front starts to make its way across Minnesota, bringing showers and storms along with a break from the heat.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Republicans' police reform bill focuses on transparency and training

Republicans' police reform bill focuses on transparency and training

Led by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Republicans are unveiling their legislative response to the national outcry for an overhaul of police practices, seeking to rebuild faith in the justice system.
by Claudia Grisales

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Aunt Jemima brand retired by Quaker due to racial stereotype

Aunt Jemima brand retired by Quaker due to racial stereotype

A spokesperson for Pepsico-owned Quaker Oats said it recognized Aunt Jemima's origins are based on a racial stereotype. The name and image will be replaced on products and advertising by the fourth quarter of 2020.
by The Associated Press

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Another hot day, then storms move in

Wednesday will be another sunny, hot, humid and breezy day. Then northwestern Minnesota sees showers and storms move in by evening, including a chance for severe weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Minnesota Senate rejects proposal to curb police ‘warrior training’

On Tuesday, senators voted down an amendment to a policing bill that would outlaw training focused on self-preservation. Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) says officers need to be trained to defend themselves and others in difficult situations. A bill to ban the training is advancing in the Democratic-led House. MPR News morning update for June 17, 2020. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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June 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: Daily death counts slowing; hospitalizations dip

June 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: Daily death counts slowing; hospitalizations dip

Minnesota’s COVID-19 toll continued to show signs of plateauing with current hospitalizations and intensive care cases falling and the daily count of deaths trending down. On Thursday, state officials are expected to discuss new fall planning guidance for K-12 schools.
by MPR News Staff

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'Billion Dollar Burger' asks: What is meat?

'Billion Dollar Burger' asks: What is meat?

Chase Purdy's briskly paced and quietly bold new book about the future of meat suggests people rethink its meaning, as he explores those at the forefront of developing cell-cultured meat.
by Nicholas Cannariato

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Cows help with COVID-19 treatment, no bull

Cows help with COVID-19 treatment, no bull

Cattle may turn out to be of help in the coronavirus pandemic. A South Dakota biotech company is using cows to create antibodies that could then be used for disease prevention or treatment.
by Joe Palca

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For some Minneapolis residents, dismantling the police isn’t far-fetched

For some Minneapolis residents, dismantling the police isn’t far-fetched

During the unrest in the days following the police killing of George Floyd, some residents banded together to defend themselves. They say those lessons can help reimagine a community-led public safety program that’s organized and ready to protect their neighborhoods.
by Riham Feshir

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Walz pushes again for public works bill

Walz pushes again for public works bill

Gov. Tim Walz is calling again on state lawmakers to pass a robust package of public construction projects before time runs out in the special session. The DFL governor has been pushing for a $2 billion bonding bill since January.
by Tim Pugmire

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