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Stories from August 5, 2020

Effort to replace MPD stalls as key panel delays decision

Effort to replace MPD stalls as key panel delays decision

Minneapolis voters will not get the chance on Nov. 3 to decide whether to replace the Minneapolis Police Department after a key city commission Wednesday put the process on hold, saying it needed more information.
by Brandt Williams

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No charges against Brooklyn Center police in fatal shooting

No charges against Brooklyn Center police in fatal shooting

Prosecutors concluded that the two officers who fired six shots at Kobe Dimock-Heisler had a “reasonable fear” that two other officers and Dimock-Heisler's grandmother were in danger, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Wednesday.
by The Associated Press

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When sirens sound, what do they mean?

When sirens sound, what do they mean?

There are local differences in when sirens sound during severe weather.
by Paul Huttner

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Minneapolis cafe gets real about the struggles of operating amid pandemic

Minneapolis cafe gets real about the struggles of operating amid pandemic

The Birchwood Cafe reaches out to their community with an honest letter about the challenges of running a business during the pandemic and provides resources for people to help.
by Tom Crann

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Court reverses order to shut down Dakota Access pipeline

Court reverses order to shut down Dakota Access pipeline

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Wednesday sided with pipeline owner Energy Transfer to keep oil flowing while the environmental review is conducted.
by The Associated Press

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Minn. congressional hopefuls stress their farm bona fides

Minn. congressional hopefuls stress their farm bona fides

Candidates showcased their knowledge of agriculture policy and highlighted their rural connections during a pair of FarmFest virtual forums.
by Brian Bakst

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Big Ten football season set to begin on Labor Day weekend

Big Ten football season set to begin on Labor Day weekend

The Big Ten has released its 10-game conference-only football schedule beginning as early as Labor Day weekend but cautioned there is no certainty games will be played.
by The Associated Press

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Minneapolis commission takes up proposal to disband police

A Minneapolis commission is expected to take up a proposed amendment Wednesday that would dismantle the city's Police Department in the wake of George Floyd's death and replace it with a new public safety department. A majority of the City Council backs the idea, with supporters saying it would do away with a troubled department that has resisted change, and replace it with a more "holistic" and public health-oriented approach to public safety. This is an MPR News evening update for Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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STDs on the rise in Minnesota

STDs on the rise in Minnesota

State health officials report instances of several sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Minnesota — especially syphilis. 
by John Enger

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Voters weigh Omar vs. Melton-Meaux as primary approaches

Voters weigh Omar vs. Melton-Meaux as primary approaches

As primary election day neared, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s main rival Antone Melton-Meaux reacted to a campaign finance complaint while Omar highlighted her ties to her district. Voters are divided in the most expensive primary campaign in the state.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Summer resumes regular programming

A warmer and more humid air mass blows into Minnesota this weekend.
by Paul Huttner

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Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin explains the 'tragedy' of the Mueller investigation

Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin explains the 'tragedy' of the Mueller investigation

Toobin's new book, “True Crimes and Misdemeanors,” examines how Trump and his team outmaneuvered special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller, he says, gave Trump "a free pass" on obstruction of justice.
by Terry Gross

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Will telemedicine be the new norm in Minnesota?

Will telemedicine be the new norm in Minnesota?

Telemedicine or telehealth is not new, but the pandemic has caused health care systems to rapidly pivot to online doctor’s visits. How is it going and is it here to stay?
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Trump considering giving convention speech from White House

Trump considering giving convention speech from White House

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he's considering delivering his Republican convention acceptance speech from the White House after his initial plans to hold the event in two battleground states were foiled by coronavirus concerns and health restrictions.
by The Associated Press

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What does it mean to be a woman in America today?

What does it mean to be a woman in America today?

August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment. We will explore the role of women in the United States now and over the last century through conversations about voting, culture, politics and access to power.
by Kerri Miller and Breann Schossow

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Biden won't go to Milwaukee to accept Democratic nomination

Biden won't go to Milwaukee to accept Democratic nomination

Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to accept the Democratic presidential nomination because of concerns over the coronavirus, party officials said Wednesday, signaling a move to a convention that essentially has become entirely virtual.
by The Associated Press

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A year after Toni Morrison's death, her visions of love stay with us

A year after Toni Morrison's death, her visions of love stay with us

Love is central to the work of Toni Morrison — she brought love to her examinations of Black life, and love itself was her enduring subject. But love isn't always a good or joyous thing in her work.
by marc rivers

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Senate Republicans face uphill fight to hold majority

Senate Republicans face uphill fight to hold majority

A key victory in a Senate GOP primary on Tuesday offers a mild reprieve to Republicans working to hold their narrow majority in 2020.
by Susan Davis

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Love triumphs over death in 'The Death Of Vivek Oji'

Love triumphs over death in 'The Death Of Vivek Oji'

Akwaeke Emezi's new novel begins with a death; it adopts the form — but not the spirit — of traditional crime fiction, glorying in some of the genre's conventions while slyly subverting them.
by Lily Meyer

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Hot and humid weather returns by Friday

A weak disturbance brings showers and a few storms across Minnesota into Thursday, then the heat and humidity return for the weekend along with more chances for storms.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Duluth schools recommend combination of in-person and distance learning

Duluth schools recommend combination of in-person and distance learning

Duluth schools officials are recommending that elementary students start the year in school, with older students attending class primarily online. The school board meets Thursday to consider the proposal.
by Dan Kraker

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St. Paul teen named one of 5 National Student Poets

St. Paul teen named one of 5 National Student Poets

Madelyn Dietz and the other winners will each receive a $5,000 cash award. The student poet program was launched in 2011, with winners contributing to community programs and poetry events and performing their work everywhere from Lincoln Center to the White House.
by The Associated Press

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During COVID-19, a growing interest in recycling food waste at home

During COVID-19, a growing interest in recycling food waste at home

With interest in organics recycling programs growing, the pandemic has highlighted Minnesota’s need for more compost sites to handle food waste.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Minneapolis city charter commission votes on police proposal

The proposal would dismantle the city’s troubled police department and replace it with what supporters say would be a more holistic approach to public safety. If the commission advances the plan, a final decision would be left to voters in November. MPR News update for August 5, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Clouds and rain chances return Wednesday

Temperatures remain below average Wednesday, while clouds and areas of rain spread across the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Minneapolis commission takes up proposal to disband police

Minneapolis commission takes up proposal to disband police

The Charter Commission could approve the proposal; reject it; propose a substitute or ask for more time to review it. Rejection wouldn't be fatal, because the City Council isn't bound by the commission's decision. But a delay would be, by making it impossible to get the idea onto November's ballot.
by Amy Forliti, Associated Press

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Beirut death toll rises after enormous explosion

Beirut death toll rises after enormous explosion

In Lebanon's devastated capital, at least 135 people are dead and some 5,000 injured. A question looms over the stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate believed to have exploded: Why was it there? 
by Bill Chappell and Ruth Sherlock

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Aug. 5 update on COVID-19 in MN: 9 more deaths; 629 new cases

Aug. 5 update on COVID-19 in MN: 9 more deaths; 629 new cases

Wednesday’s numbers show daily deaths remain in the single digits, with the number of people currently hospitalized dipping after trending up for weeks.
by MPR News Staff

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Wanted: Young people to work the polls this November

Wanted: Young people to work the polls this November

Election officials fear a massive shortage of poll workers for the general election as older people opt out of their normal election-year service due to concerns over the coronavirus.
by Barbara Sprunt

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Humankind documentary: Judicial Independence

Humankind documentary: Judicial Independence

Have our courts – intended by America’s founders to be an independent arbiter of justice – turned into another political battlefield? Are today’s judges mere “politicians in robes?” The appointment of judges looms large as we head toward Election Day. This program reconstructs the wild history of how we got into this dilemma, which has left bitter feelings on all sides.
by MPR News Staff

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Mpls. mayor: City seeks right mentors for new officers

Mpls. mayor: City seeks right mentors for new officers

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is working to pair new police officers with “the right individuals” for field training in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in May. 
by The Associated Press

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'Too many are selfish': U.S. nears 5 million virus cases

'Too many are selfish': U.S. nears 5 million virus cases

The U.S. is approaching 5 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, far outpacing other countries. The reasons are obvious: Americans are resisting taking steps to avoid getting infected. 
by The Associated Press

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