Stories from June 28, 2020

Number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths worldwide climbs past 500,000
The coronavirus pandemic reached a new milestone on Sunday, with confirmed deaths surpassing half a million around the world and the number of confirmed cases topping 10 million.
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch valid until 10 p.m. this Sunday evening for the southern portion of the Twin Cities metro area and south-central and southeastern Minnesota.
We’re keeping an eye on the weather today, with a chance for severe storms this afternoon and evening across southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. MPR News update for June 28, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
A video shared by President Donald Trump on Twitter on Sunday included a man who appears to be a Trump supporter saying "white power" in response to protesters. South Carolina's Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator, called the retweet "indefensible."
Trump denies receiving briefing on reported bounties against U.S. troops
President Trump on Sunday denied that he had been briefed on reported U.S. intelligence that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing American troops in Afghanistan, and he appeared to minimize the allegations against Moscow.
Q&A: Are face mask requirements legal?
"State and local governments have really quite broad authority" to mandate the use of face masks during a pandemic, says Lindsay Wiley, the director of American University's Health Law and Policy Program.
Kevin Kwan's new 'Sex and Vanity' is a summer romp with a satirical sting
For his latest novel, Kevin Kwan decided to update one of his own favorite books, “A Room With a View.” The result is “Sex and Vanity,” a fun, decadent whirl that manages to take on some serious subjects.
How the coronavirus could widen the gender wage gap
Women have slowly made economic gains over the last half-century, and the gender wage gap is as narrow as it has ever been. But the coronavirus could reverse those gains, and motherhood is a big reason.
June 28 update on COVID-19 in MN: Outbreak appears to be plateauing in recent days
Minnesota’s early sacrifices to limit COVID-19’s spread “will be undermined if we don’t get cooperation from all Minnesotans, especially younger Minnesotans, who are most active and social,” said Kris Ehresmann, the state’s infectious disease director.
The humidity ramps up this afternoon and it’ll be breezy. Some areas could see some afternoon and evening thunderstorms. We have your Sunday forecast details.
Shirley Jackson meets Johnny Rotten in 'Dark Blood Comes From The Feet'
Horror may not be readers' first choice in times like this, but Emma J. Gibbons' new collection, influenced by both punk rock and classic literature, is full of great characters and genuine scares.
The New York Times reported Friday that American intelligence officials concluded months ago that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The White House said Trump was not briefed on such intelligence.
Opposing protests in St. Paul call for supporting or defunding police
Opposing groups of protesters faced off for several hours Saturday afternoon outside the Governor's Residence in St. Paul — with one group supporting law enforcement and the other calling for defunding police.