Stories from June 17, 2020

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