Stories from August 8, 2020

Severe storms down trees, power lines across southern Minnesota on Saturday
Severe storms packing 70 mph wind gusts knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses across southern Minnesota on Saturday. Three people were evaluated for injuries after lightning hit a park shelter in the southern Twin Cities metro.
Steamy Sunday, with scattered thunderstorms at times
Periods of scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in Minnesota and western Wisconsin Saturday night and Sunday. We have details on that, plus a look at the week ahead.
Wisconsin health officials reported a record daily number of new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, with another 1,165 confirmed cases in the state.
Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms possible this afternoon, evening and overnight
Minnesota is reporting 924 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases — that’s the largest single-day increase on record for the state. MPR News update for Aug. 8, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Mid-American Conference cancels fall football due to coronavirus; Big Ten taps brakes on practices
The Mid-American Conference on Saturday became the first league at college football's highest level to cancel its fall season because of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Big Ten is tapping the brakes on the football preseason, telling its schools that until further notice full contact practices cannot begin.
Exploring lives of whales in a time of climate change
Bookseller Stephen Sparks of Point Reyes Books in Point Reyes Station, Calif., recommends the nonfiction work “Fathoms: The World in the Whale” by author Rebecca Giggs.
Democrats worry attorney general has an 'October surprise' in the making
Attorney General William Barr says he won't take any action to influence the presidential election, but looming in the background is a probe apparently focused on the Obama administration.
Summery weather is back. Highs in the 80s and dew points in the 70s are on tap for most areas this weekend. Details on that, plus thunderstorm and severe weather chances.
Mauritius scrambles to contain oil spill from grounded ship
Anxious residents of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius stuffed fabric sacks with sugar cane leaves Saturday to create makeshift oil spill barriers as tons of fuel leaking from a grounded ship put endangered wildlife in further peril.
Protests grow in Beirut amid public fury over massive blast
Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators in Lebanon's capital on Saturday at the start of a planned protest over this week's massive explosion that devastated large parts of the city and killed more than 150 people.
Summery weather is back. You’ll notice the heat and humidity today. We have the forecast details, including our thunderstorm chances.
Harleys everywhere, few masks: Sturgis draws thousands
“This is a major experiment,” said one man who rode his Harley from Arizona to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally along with thousands of other people amid the ongoing pandemic. “It could be a major mistake.”
Coronavirus aid talks collapse in Washington
A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money collapsed in disappointment at week's end, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people.
'You Had Me at Hola' had us right from the beginning
Alexis Daria's soapy, sizzling new novel follows two telenovela actors who fall for each other while playing bitter exes — and have to figure out how to balance private love and public stardom.
Judge orders release of body camera video showing Floyd killing
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill ruled Friday that copies of the video from cameras worn by officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng may be released.