Stories from July 24, 2020

Complaints against police skyrocket in Minneapolis
The city of Minneapolis has received a record number of civilian complaints about police in recent months, including the time since the killing of George Floyd in May.
Gov. Tim Walz announced the mandate this week for indoor spaces. Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in Minnesota. This is an MPR News evening update for Friday, July 24, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
What’s up with our steamy summer?
We’re headed into another hot and sultry weekend. Has this summer really been more hot and muggy than usual?
Our midsummer weekend brings deep humidity and scattered storms.
Tips for navigating pandemic boundaries with kids
As some families anticipate sending kids back to school, how should we teach children about the importance of masks and social distancing? How did summer camps handle it this year?
Minneapolis council shifts police media duties to city staff
The Minneapolis City Council has voted to shift police media duties away from the Police Department to city communications staff. One of the plan's authors called it a small move designed to improve trust following the May 25 killing of George Floyd. 
Watch live: Trump holds daily coronavirus briefing
President Donald Trump is expected to hold a briefing Friday as coronavirus infections surge in hot spots around the U.S
Aspiring lawyers balk at Minnesota bar exam over COVID-19 fears
Hundreds of aspiring lawyers are planning to take the Minnesota State Bar Exam next week despite concerns about COVID-19. The Minnesota Supreme Court denied a petition from nearly five dozen recent law school graduates who’d sought to have the test waived this year.
A man who was questioned in 1974 about a woman's slaying in western Minnesota has now been charged with murder. Algene Vossen was questioned shortly after the body of 74-year-old Mae Herman was discovered by her sister in Willmar on Jan. 27, 1974.
Minnesota sees return of vaping-related lung injuries
Minnesota health officials warned Friday of a possible resurgence of lung injuries related to vaping, saying they've had 11 reported cases in the past two months.
Feds send team to evaluate Minnesota's coronavirus response
The COVID-19 Response Assistance Field Team arrived earlier this week hoping to slow a rise in new cases. Minnesota’s health commissioner said Friday that the federal analysts complimented Minnesota’s efforts to stem the spread.
Trump's favorite coronavirus metric, the case fatality, is unreliable
President Donald Trump often cites the coronavirus case fatality rate, saying it is more important than the number of cases or deaths. But medical experts say it's not a good way to measure the pandemic.
'Tsunami' of evictions feared as $600 in extra unemployment payments end
Housing advocates and landlords alike say if Congress doesn't extend or replace the extra payments expiring this weekend, millions of out-of-work Americans won't be able to afford to pay their rent.
In contrast, climate stations in historically drier parts of the state are reporting more rainfall than average for the month.
Author Elliot Ackerman on 'Red Dress in Black and White'
The latest novel from author and journalist Elliot Ackerman explores both a story of personal and political intrigue in Turkey. We spoke with him about the novel and the relationship between writing fiction and nonfiction.
Thoughts of suicide, other mental health struggles still high for LGBTQ youth
A survey by The Trevor Project found that 40 percent of young LGBTQ people have considered suicide in the last year. The pandemic has only exacerbated mental health issues LGBTQ youth already face.
Dangerous heat returns as we head into the weekend, along with an increasing chance for storms.
In reversal, Trump says schools in coronavirus hot spots should delay reopening
The president linked billions of dollars in federal aid to school districts that reopen fully, but acknowledged that in some coronavirus hot spots, the start of the school year may need to be delayed.
Friday will be hot, humid, and breezy, with strong storms moving into the state by the end of the day.
The city is facing a shortfall that officials say was caused by the pandemic and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. MPR News morning update for July 24, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
China orders U.S. to close its consulate in Chengdu
China's Foreign Ministry ordered the U.S. Embassy in Beijing to shutter one of its five consulates in mainland China. The U.S. ordered China to close its consulate in Houston earlier this week.
July 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: 773 new cases as pandemic total nears 50K
Officials have been bracing Minnesotans to expect hospitalizations to climb following several weeks of a surge in new confirmed cases. On Friday, they also warned of COVID-19 scammers.
COVID-19 brings surge of visitors — and some messes — to BWCA
The BWCA and the surrounding Superior National Forest in far northern Minnesota are seeing a surge in visitors this summer. With activities canceled and other trips on hold, vacationers are flocking to the area for the kinds of outdoors getaways that naturally allow for social distancing. That's good news for outfitters. But some of those campers are wreaking havoc.
Without a vaccine, researchers say, herd immunity may never be achieved
A growing number of researchers think until there's an effective vaccine, the coronavirus will simply persist in the population, causing illness indefinitely. Better to squelch the spread instead.
Study: Your dollar goes further in rural Minnesota, if you can find a place to live
Rural Minnesotans can often afford a similar or higher quality of life than their metro area counterparts, despite overall lower wages, according to new research from the Center for Rural Policy and Development. 
Batter Up! Baseball, soundtrack of summer, is back — sort of
Major League Baseball has started its most bizarre season ever. The virus-delayed opening day began when the World Series champion Washington Nationals hosted the New York Yankees.