Stories from July 17, 2020

What accounts for high coronavirus positivity rates among Florida kids?
Florida reports a positivity rate of 31 percent among those under 18 tested for the virus, while the state's positivity overall rate is 18 percent. Experts say there are good explanations for the kids' high rate.
Minnesota’s 'Redskin Lake' could see name change
The U.S. Board of Geographic Names has received a proposal to change the name of the lake in far northeastern Minnesota. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has proposed renaming the lake “Memegwesi.”
State health officials on Friday made clear that Minnesota may need to dial back reopening efforts on bars, restaurants and other public gathering spaces if current COVID-19 case trends accelerate and the state continues backsliding in its fight against the disease’s spread. They also braced Minnesotans to expect the recent relatively stable counts of hospitalizations, intensive care cases and deaths to resume a steeper upward climb. MPR News evening update for July 17, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
What we didn't learn in history class
While this isn’t a new conversation, more Minnesota educators are starting to rethink how to teach a more complete history of the United States that includes experiences from Black and Indigenous people and other communities of color.
Federal officers use unmarked vehicles to grab people in Portland, protesters say
Federal law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the Oregon city since early July due to anti-police protests. Residents say they're using unmarked vehicles to snatch protesters off the street.
MSU Mankato working with local schools to confront lack of teacher diversity
To address teacher shortages and diversify the workforce, Minnesota State University, Mankato, is partnering with eight school districts that received $376,000 in grants from the Minnesota Department of Education.
Author Brit Bennett explores colorism in ‘The Vanishing Half’
Brit Bennett’s latest novel, “The Vanishing Half,” is a rich exploration of family relationships, colorism and how the past influences the present and who we decide to be. We spoke with her about her latest work.
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley about the week in weather.
Preliminary evidence suggests the coronavirus can pass through the placenta, and pregnancy slightly raises a woman's risk of a severe case of COVID-19. Medical experts urge calm and common sense.
Walz says a mask mandate is the right call, but he's waiting for more GOP support
The governor talked with Morning Editon host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the possibility of a mask mandate, and shared some discussion on whether the Legislature can reach an agreement on police reform during the special Legislative session, and what variables he’s weighing on how the school year will be handled during the pandemic.
The Five: Dog days of summer edition
MPR News program director Steph Curtis stopped by for a mid-summer edition of “The Five,” where she recommends things to read, listen to and experience this week. 
Make sure that you have a way to receive severe weather warnings Friday evening and overnight Friday night. Another round of thunderstorms is also possible late Saturday. We have the weekend forecast details, which include an excessive heat watch on Saturday.
3M files lawsuits for price gouging of N95 masks
The leading manufacturer of N95 masks in the U.S. says it has investigated 4,000 reports of fraud, counterfeiting and price gouging in connection with the product and has filed 18 lawsuits.
Doctors and dentists still flooding U.S. with opioid prescriptions
Forty Americans die every day from overdoses linked to prescription opioids, but researchers say many doctors and dentists still have a "prescribe and forget" attitude toward the medications.
Target is among the latest retailers to require that customers wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19. MPR News update for July 17, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Our temperatures and dew points ramp up as we go through Friday. Thunderstorms are expected to spread across Minnesota Friday night, and severe weather is possible.
July 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: Nothing 'off the table' as case counts climb
State health officials on Friday made clear that Minnesota may need to dial back its economic reopening efforts if the current COVID-19 case trends accelerate and the state continues to backslide in its fight against the disease’s spread.
Lawmakers leverage defense bill to address police reform, racial injustice
Congress will vote next week on the annual defense bill. After failing to pass police reform, some lawmakers see a chance to revive the debate about discrimination, but a presidential veto looms.
Raccoon nailed near Black Lives Matter sign in Roseville; police investigating
Authorities are investigating a number of instances in which Black Lives Matter signs were stolen or damaged in Roseville. But police became even more concerned when someone nailed a raccoon up to a post near one of those signs.
To improve policing, Moorhead adds a counselor to the force
Many police departments employ mental health professionals or social workers who work alongside officers and interact directly with the public. The Moorhead Police Department is tweaking that approach — it’s embedding a mental health professional to focus on the well-being of its officers. 
'Sex and Lies' author Leila Slimani: 'Women's lives matter'
Franco-Moroccan writer Leila Slimani's new book examines the restricted sex lives of women in a country where, she says, the unofficial motto is "Do what you wish, but never talk about it."