Stories from August 6, 2020

Voyageurs National Park asks visitors to pack out their trash
Park officials posted a series of photos on their Facebook page this week showing bags full of garbage that staff have hauled away from campsites.
The state’s second-largest school district won’t start the academic year with kids in classrooms, while the St. Cloud superintendent is recommending a hybrid plan this fall. Citing the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and a survey of district families, the St. Paul school board opted Wednesday for distance learning to start the year Sept. 8. St. Paul joins Minneapolis in keeping kids at home for the start of school this year.  This is an MPR News evening update for Thursday, August 6, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Ex-cop's lawyer wants prosecutor dropped from Floyd case
The attorney for former officer J. Alexander Kueng filed a motion Thursday arguing that Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman has “compromised his ethics” and ability “to impartially prosecute” the case. 
Prices for COVID-19 vaccines are starting to come into focus
Moderna, one of the leading horses in the coronavirus vaccine race, has already made deals at between $32 and $37 a dose for some foreign countries. The U.S. price is expected to be lower.
Mostly sticky, partly stormy forecast
A tropical summer air mass brings humidity and scattered thunderstorms this weekend.
'Worst nightmare': Laid-off workers endure loss of $600 aid
Around the country, across industries and occupations, millions of jobless Americans are straining to afford the basics now that an extra $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired. 
Beirut explosion update: Lebanon detains 16 people as part of inquiry
The investigation into the massive blast continues, a Lebanese judge says. The explosion has been traced to an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse.
The special sauce that makes some vaccines work
Adjuvants play a crucial role in many vaccines' effectiveness. Some scientists say there needs to be more research into developing a wider variety of adjuvants because of how important they are.
Parts of Minnesota have seen abundant rainfall this summer. But there are still areas of drought in Minnesota.
NOAA now predicts up to 25 named storms in the Atlantic hurricane season
"We've never forecast up to 25 storms," says a NOAA expert. The expected spate of storms in 2020 could force meteorologists to resort to using the Greek alphabet to name storms later this year.
Summer isn’t over. We’ll have proof of that this weekend, with highs in the 80s and steamy dew points. We have details on that summery weekend forecast, including the possibility of thunderstorms.
New York Attorney General moves to dissolve the NRA after fraud investigation
New York's attorney general announced civil action to dissolve the National Rifle Association after an investigation found millions of dollars in alleged fraud by CEO Wayne LaPierre and others.
Watch: Biden says he wouldn't stand in the way of a Trump prosecution
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says he would not stand in the way of a future Justice Department pursuing criminal charges against President Trump after he leaves office.
Thursday brings one last day of milder and mostly dry weather before heat, humidity, and storms return for the weekend.
U.S. economy on high alert over shaky future of extra jobless benefits
As Congress debates whether to renew supplemental unemployment benefits for people thrown out of work by the pandemic, new research shows those benefits offer a critical boost for the U.S. economy.
Why sprawl could be the next big climate change battle
Zoning for single-family homes has been tied to racial inequity and climate change, but in California, efforts to pass new laws keep falling short.
The state’s second-largest school district says it will keep students at home initially, and revisit that decision later in the fall. MPR News morning update for August 6, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
A weak disturbance is bringing light rain to southern Minnesota and extra clouds across much of the state. High will be near 80 for most areas.
Most teachers concerned about in-person school; 2 in 3 want to start the year online
A new national poll of teachers from NPR/Ipsos finds broad trepidation about returning to the classroom, with 77 percent of those surveyed worried about risking their own health.
Hiroshima atomic bombing raising questions 75 years later
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were said at the time to be justified as the only way to end World War II. Seventy five years later, legal experts say they would now be war crimes.
Whatever you're expecting, 'Harrow the Ninth' is not that kind of book
Whatever you expected from Tamsyn Muir's followup to her lesbian-necromancers-in-space epic “Gideon the Ninth,” this is not that book — it's something wilder, darker and much, much weirder.
Lebanon probes blast amid rising anger, calls for change
The blast Tuesday, which appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at the port, rippled across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 135 people, injuring more than 5,000 and causing widespread destruction.
Aug. 6 update on COVID-19 in MN: New cases jump; hospitalizations rise
The newest numbers come a day after Minnesota’s health commissioner called on Minnesotans to get vaccinated for the fall flu season and warned the Sturgis, S.D., motorcycle rally that starts Friday will be a “ripe environment” for COVID-19 spread.
Art Hounds: Painting and theater to make you reconsider your environment
The paintings of Adam Swanson, on view at the Great Lakes Aquarium, features a federally listed threatened and endangered animal of Minnesota. The Art Hounds also recommend an “angsty and hilarious” improv and teen diary reading at the Minnesota Fringe Virtual Festival, as well as an actor-aided exploration of your habitat, also known as your home.
After taking tough measures, Fond du Lac band has first COVID-19 cases
After months of trying to keep the coronavirus at bay, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has confirmed the first two positive COVID-19 cases on its reservation in northeastern Minnesota.
President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'We shall overcome' speech for passage of Voting Rights Act
To mark the 55th anniversary of the day President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, hear a personal and impassioned televised speech he gave to Congress, often remembered as his "We shall overcome" speech.
Fan-free playoff hockey still proving plenty intense
Four days into a most unusual Stanley Cup tournament, it's clear that playoff hockey is still playoff hockey, even without the roar of the crowd. The Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks have proven as much with jawing and hitting back and forth.