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Stories from August 3, 2020

Citing budget shortfall, Department of Corrections to close Togo, Willow River facilities

Citing budget shortfall, Department of Corrections to close Togo, Willow River facilities

The Minnesota Department of Corrections plans to close the state’s two smallest correctional facilities — in Togo and Willow River in northeastern Minnesota — to help address a $14 million budget shortfall, the agency announced Monday.
by Dan Kraker

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Bottineau light rail line halted over dispute with railroad

The Twin Cities’ next light rail project, the $1.5 billion Bottineau or Blue Line, has ground to a halt, after Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council said Monday that they’ve given up on getting access to a key right of way from BNSF Railway. Also video of George Floyd before he was pinned by a Minneapolis officer was posted online by a British tabloid. The video was available only for viewing by appointment. MPR News evening update for Aug. 3, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

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Walz again requests federal help to rebuild after unrest

Walz again requests federal help to rebuild after unrest

Gov. Tim Walz is again asking for federal help to rebuild from the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing. Last month, Walz had asked President Donald Trump to declare a “major disaster” in a request to FEMA because of extensive damage to public infrastructure. The federal government denied that request. 
by The Associated Press

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Blue Line LRT extension derailed

Blue Line LRT extension derailed

Railroad’s refusal to share right of way forces officials to look for new route for Bottineau corridor.
by Tim Nelson

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Investigation launched into leaked Floyd bodycam video

Investigation launched into leaked Floyd bodycam video

Authorities in Hennepin County are investigating how officer body camera video of George Floyd’s final moments was leaked to a British tabloid after the newspaper published the footage on its website Monday.
by Jon Collins

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'If not now, when?': Black women seize political spotlight

'If not now, when?': Black women seize political spotlight

Black women have long been the Democratic Party’s most reliable and loyal voters, but for generations that allegiance didn’t translate to their own political rise. There have been zero Black woman governors, just two senators, several dozen congresswomen. But now Black women are mobilized and demanding an overdue return on their investment. 
by The Associated Press

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Airline food for sale. No plane ticket required

Airline food for sale. No plane ticket required

"Chicken or beef?" A leading Israeli airline food company, which is struggling with most flights grounded, is selling its meals to the public as a low-cost delivery option during the pandemic.
by Daniel Estrin

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What to watch for in Minnesota’s fall bird migration

What to watch for in Minnesota’s fall bird migration

If you’re tuned to the sound of birds outside your window, you may have noticed their morning symphonies slowly getting quieter in recent weeks. That’s because the fall migration has started, even though it’s barely August.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Vikings sign GM Spielman to multi-year contract extension

Vikings sign GM Spielman to multi-year contract extension

The Minnesota Vikings signed general manager Rick Spielman to a multi-year contract extension on Monday, the latest move toward maintaining continuity among the club's key leaders.
by The Associated Press

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Journalists of color at the Star Tribune call for newsroom changes

Journalists of color at the Star Tribune call for newsroom changes

In an open letter to management, they are demanding their employer address inequities in recruitment and retention of non-white staff, improve community outreach, and broaden coverage of communities of color.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Unsuitable for a pandemic? Add Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank to bankruptcy list

Unsuitable for a pandemic? Add Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank to bankruptcy list

The parent company Tailored Brands earlier said it would close up to 500 stores and cut 20 percent of corporate jobs. It's joined in pandemic bankruptcy by rival Brooks Brothers and a growing list of others.
by Alina Selyukh

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Michael Osterholm on where we are now with the COVID-19 pandemic

Michael Osterholm on where we are now with the COVID-19 pandemic

We check in with Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm about next steps for living amid a pandemic in the U.S. and what it would take to slow the current surge of cases.
by Kerri Miller, Breann Schossow and Matt Mikus

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Missing Bloomington 6-year-old found safe

Bloomington police say the boy walked away from his apartment Monday morning near 82nd Street and Lyndale Avenue in his pajamas. He was found later in the morning inside a local business.
by MPR News Staff

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10 thrillers Thread readers say you must not miss!

10 thrillers Thread readers say you must not miss!

For the past several weeks, Kerri Miller has been bringing you Thread must-read thrillers you should not miss. This week, readers share the works that thrill them.
by Kerri Miller

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Census workers begin door knocking this week in Minneapolis

Census workers begin door knocking this week in Minneapolis

Census takers will begin knocking on doors this week in Minnesota. They will be visiting households that haven't responded to the 2020 census by mail, online or by phone.
by The Associated Press

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Temperatures rise through the week

After a cool start Monday, temperatures return to average by the end of the week. Spotty showers and storms are back in the forecast by Wednesday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Sunshine becomes more widespread Monday

Temperatures stay below average all of Monday under dry and sunny skies.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Sturgis, SD expects big crowd this week for annual rally

The motorcycle rally, which starts Friday, is expected to bring more than 250,000 people to town. It comes as South Dakota sees a rise in COVID-19 cases. MPR News morning update for August 3, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Parents struggle as schools reopen amid coronavirus surge

Parents struggle as schools reopen amid coronavirus surge

As a new school year begins this week in some states, many working parents are struggling to balance their jobs with their children’s school work as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause upheaval in school districts around the country.
by The Associated Press

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States are broke and many are eyeing massive cuts. Here's how yours is doing

States are broke and many are eyeing massive cuts. Here's how yours is doing

Some states face record-breaking deficits because of the coronavirus pandemic. We asked local reporters across the country to tell us what could be on the chopping block in your state.
by NPR Staff

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Thousands remain evacuated from Southern California wildfire

Thousands remain evacuated from Southern California wildfire

The Apple Fire in Riverside County consumed more than 31 square miles of dry brush and timber, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. As of Monday morning, it was 5 percent contained. The cause was under investigation.
by The Associated Press

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This 'Wolf' will bite you — and you'll like it

This 'Wolf' will bite you — and you'll like it

Laura Van Den Berg's new collection is full of uncanny, exquisite, and painful stories about death, about loss and isolation and falling for the wrong person. Her writing will get under your skin.
by Gabino Iglesias

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New 'quar-horror' films show staying at home is scary, too

New 'quar-horror' films show staying at home is scary, too

This year feels like a horror movie, and a select group of filmmakers have taken the pandemic as inspiration. "Quar-horror" ranges from homemade shorts on YouTube to a movie filmed entirely on Zoom.
by Neda Ulaby

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2020 electoral map ratings: Trump slides, Biden advantage expands over 270

2020 electoral map ratings: Trump slides, Biden advantage expands over 270

With three months until Election Day, President Donald Trump's handling of COVID-19 and race relations have further hurt his reelection chances. States now leaning toward Democrat Joe Biden would be enough to win.
by Domenico Montanaro

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University of Minnesota lab to study size, force of boat wakes

University of Minnesota lab to study size, force of boat wakes

University of Minnesota researchers plan to launch a study this fall of wakes created by recreational boats, hoping to provide insight into their impact on Minnesota lakes and shorelines.
by Kirsti Marohn

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High stakes primary looms for three DFL lawmakers

High stakes primary looms for three DFL lawmakers

Three DFL state legislators are fighting to stay on the November ballot after they lost their party’s endorsement. Next week’s primary election will determine whether they can continue seeking reelection.
by Tim Pugmire

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APM Reports: The Living Legacy — Black Colleges in the 21st Century

APM Reports: The Living Legacy — Black Colleges in the 21st Century

Before the civil rights movement, African Americans were largely barred from white-dominated institutions of higher education. And so Black Americans, and their white supporters, founded their own schools, known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In this documentary, we hear first-person testimony from students about why they chose an HBCU; and we travel to an HBCU that’s in the process of reinventing itself wholesale.

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Microsoft consults with Trump about ongoing talks to buy TikTok from Chinese firm

Microsoft consults with Trump about ongoing talks to buy TikTok from Chinese firm

In its first public acknowledgement of a deal that could be worth billions of dollars, Microsoft said it is continuing talks with TikTok about a potential takeover of the U.S. operations of the hugely popular app.
by Bobby Allyn

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Tropical Storm Isaias grazes Florida en route to the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Isaias grazes Florida en route to the Carolinas

Isaias largely spared Florida over the weekend, but is expected to be a "strong tropical storm" when it reaches the coast of eastern South Carolina or southern North Carolina on Monday night.
by Rachel Treisman

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