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Stories from July 16, 2020

Minnesota researchers track trumpeter swans to study migration, habitat

Minnesota researchers track trumpeter swans to study migration, habitat

Researchers are placing radio collars on 35 trumpeter swans this summer, as part of a broader effort to study where the majestic birds migrate in the winter, and what kind of habitat they utilize.
by Dan Kraker

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Exact change please: Walmart, Kroger, CVS are feeling the coin shortage

Exact change please: Walmart, Kroger, CVS are feeling the coin shortage

Stores, supermarkets and gas stations are grappling with low supplies of pocket change. The national shortage is due in part to people going out less to spend money during the pandemic.
by Alina Selyukh

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Excessive heat watch issued for Saturday

One of the hottest days this year is heading for Minnesota Saturday.
by Paul Huttner

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Q&A: What's behind the Twitter Bitcoin hack?

Q&A: What's behind the Twitter Bitcoin hack?

Hackers broke into the Twitter accounts of world leaders, celebrities and tech moguls in one of the most high-profile security breaches in recent years on Wednesday, highlighting a major flaw with the service millions of people have come to rely on as an essential communications tool. 
by The Associated Press

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Unemployment down to 8.6 percent

Minnesota's unemployment rate dropped last month as more businesses and restaurants began to reopen following the end of the stay-at-home order. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported that the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent in June, down from a record high of 9.9 percent in May. This is an MPR News evening update for Thursday July 16, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

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Blinded by the lights? Where to better see Comet Neowise

Blinded by the lights? Where to better see Comet Neowise

You’ve seen photos flooding your social media but have yet to behold the glory of Comet Neowise with your own eyes. Don’t wait, make tonight the night.
by Sara Porter

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State emergency center reaches its own pivot point

State emergency center reaches its own pivot point

Minnesota lawmakers will vote next week on a bill to borrow for more than $1.8 billion worth of public construction projects around the state. One big-ticket item is a new State Emergency Operations Center to replace one that’s gotten heavy use lately — and had a share of problems.
by Brian Bakst

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U.S. says Russian hackers are trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research

U.S. says Russian hackers are trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research

The National Security Agency, as well as its counterparts in Britain and Canada, say they're seeing persistent attempts to hack into organizations working on a potential vaccine.
by Greg Myre

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Judge hears lawsuit challenging Walz emergency orders

Judge hears lawsuit challenging Walz emergency orders

A lawsuit challenging Gov. Tim Walz and his use of emergency powers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was argued Thursday in Ramsey County District Court.
by Tim Pugmire

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Second shooting at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis rattles neighbors

Second shooting at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis rattles neighbors

Police are investigating after a late morning incident. It came just hours after the city’s park board voted to limit encampments because nearby residents are concerned about crime and violence.
by Tim Nelson

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Counter Stories: Native Americans celebrate significant wins

Counter Stories: Native Americans celebrate significant wins

The past few weeks have been filled with significant news for Native Americans. The hosts of Counter Stories talk with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Director of Tribal State Relations Patina Park about what it means for Minnesota.
by Marianne Combs and Jo Erickson

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'Meaningless' FDA certificates are used to tout dubious face masks

'Meaningless' FDA certificates are used to tout dubious face masks

Companies that made hats, socks and teddy bears have started producing surgical masks to protect people from COVID-19. Some sellers exaggerate their standing with the Food and Drug Administration.
by Sydney Lupkin

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Target, CVS Health join list of major retailers mandating masks

Target, CVS Health join list of major retailers mandating masks

Target, CVS Health and Publix Super Markets on Thursday joined the growing list of major retailers that will require customers to wear masks as cases of COVID-19 spike. Target's policy will go into effect Aug. 1., while CVS's rule will start Monday.  
by The Associated Press

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In tiny Pine Island, demonstrators plan third anti-racism protest

In tiny Pine Island, demonstrators plan third anti-racism protest

For the third time, Black Lives Matter protesters will gather in the southeast Minnesota town of Pine Island this weekend. The group wants to spark honest conversations about racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. But some say the protesters are creating divisions that don’t exist. 
by Catharine Richert

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High school teacher, coach on preparing for school this fall

High school teacher, coach on preparing for school this fall

Gov. Tim Walz has suggested he wants to get K-12 students back in the classroom in some capacity this fall, although no final decision has been announced. In the meantime, districts are preparing for three different scenarios for the coming school year: distance learning, in-person learning or a combination of the two.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Minnesota unemployment fell to 8.6 percent in June

Minnesota unemployment fell to 8.6 percent in June

Minnesota's unemployment rate dropped last month as more businesses and restaurants began to reopen following the end of the stay-at-home order.
by MPR News Staff

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Warmer Thursday, with thunderstorm chances highest to the north

Temperatures rebound Thursday and some areas could see scattered showers and thunderstorms. Details on that, plus an update on drought conditions in parts of Minnesota and a look at our severe weather chances Friday night.
by Ron Trenda

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America went shopping for clothes again in June

America went shopping for clothes again in June

U.S. stores and restaurants got a boost in June as retail sales jumped 7.5 percent. Spending on clothes doubled. But this was before a new surge in the coronavirus prompted renewed shutdowns in some states.
by Alina Selyukh

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Challenger Melton-Meaux outraises Rep. Ilhan Omar

Challenger Melton-Meaux outraises Rep. Ilhan Omar

As the August primary election approaches, fundraising numbers for the second quarter of the year show the race for Congress in the district that includes Minneapolis shaping up as the most expensive contest of the year.
by David H. Montgomery

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Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3M

Number of laid-off workers seeking jobless aid stuck at 1.3M

Unemployment remains painfully high in the U.S. even as economic activity slowly picks up. That reality will be on display Thursday morning when the U.S. government releases data on the number of laid off workers who sought unemployment benefits last week, as well as how retailers did in June.
by The Associated Press

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Mpls. park board votes to limit encampments

The board unanimously approved a plan Wednesday night to limit encampments to 25 tents in each of 20 city parks. MPR News morning update for July 16, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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'Magic School Bus' author Joanna Cole dies at age 75

'Magic School Bus' author Joanna Cole dies at age 75

Author Joanna Cole, whose “Magic School Bus” books transported millions of young people on extraordinary and educational adventures, has died at age 75.
by The Associated Press

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If you got a 'Do-Over,' would you like your new life?

If you got a 'Do-Over,' would you like your new life?

“Pretty in Pink” meets “Sliding Doors” in this what-if story. High-schooler Emelia gets the chance to go back and change one decision in her past — but then she has to learn to live with the changes.
by Alethea Kontis

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St. Thomas can go D1; Minn. school was ousted from D3 league

St. Thomas can go D1; Minn. school was ousted from D3 league

The NCAA gave the University of St. Thomas permission Wednesday to jump directly from Division III to Division I, the final clearance for a bold move born out of the Minnesota private school's ejection from its conference for being too dominant.
by The Associated Press

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Four more years? Trump struggles to outline second term plan

Four more years? Trump struggles to outline second term plan

With the election less than four months away, President Donald Trump's focus is more on winning than on how he would govern. He's offered no substantive policy proposal, opting instead for heated rhetoric on race, crime and socialism aimed at his most loyal supporters.
by The Associated Press

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July 16 update on COVID-19: New cases up as deaths, hospitalizations flatten

July 16 update on COVID-19: New cases up as deaths, hospitalizations flatten

The latest numbers come a day after state health leaders pressed Minnesotans to stay vigilant to slow COVID-19’s spread and encouraged families to make plans for others to care for young children should parents fall ill with the disease.
by MPR News Staff

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Trump administration clears for-profit colleges to register veterans again

Trump administration clears for-profit colleges to register veterans again

The Department of Veterans Affairs is no longer blocking several for-profit schools the Federal Trade Commission penalized for deceptive advertising from enrolling GI Bill students.
by Quil Lawrence

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Ballot question passion: Hundreds call in on removing police from the city's charter

Ballot question passion: Hundreds call in on removing police from the city's charter

The Minneapolis Charter Commission listened as hundreds of residents weighed in, sometimes passionately, on the idea of dismantling the police department. The commission hosted a call-in meeting Wednesday instead of an in-person hearing.
by Riham Feshir

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This city's coronavirus safety measures could become best practices

This city's coronavirus safety measures could become best practices

The fishing port of New Bedford, Mass., is protecting essential workers during the pandemic with a set of enforceable guidelines that experts say could be a model for other cities.
by Nadine Sebai

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Minneapolis Park Board approves scaling back of large encampments

Minneapolis Park Board approves scaling back of large encampments

Under pressure from residents of the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, the Minneapolis Park Board is scaling back the tent encampments that have been established there and around three dozen city parks.
by Matt Sepic

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Meet the Black activists behind the '10K' protests in the Twin Cities

Meet the Black activists behind the '10K' protests in the Twin Cities

A former NBA player and a man who nearly lost his life to gun violence are behind a new group trying to bring 10,000 people to each demonstration they organize against racism and police brutality.
by Riham Feshir

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Moorhead Mayor Johnathan Judd: Welcoming tough conversations about race

Moorhead Mayor Johnathan Judd: Welcoming tough conversations about race

Johnathan Judd was elected in 2018, the first Black mayor of Moorhead. He's one of a relatively few Black community leaders across the state. Since the killing of George Floyd, he's been vocal about the need to talk about racism, and he's engaging his community in that conversation.
by Dan Gunderson

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Climate One: Will climate change matter in the 2020 election?

Climate One: Will climate change matter in the 2020 election?

From the Commonwealth Club of California’s “Climate One” series: Will climate change matter in the 2020 election?

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