Stories from August 14, 2020

Prosecutors argued Friday that former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao prevented bystanders from intervening to save Floyd's life. And President Trump is set to visit Mankato on Monday. This is an MPR News evening update for Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Music by Gary Meister.
Report: Post Office warns 46 states about mail voting delays
The U.S. Postal Service has sent letters to 46 states, warning it cannot guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted.
New novel by Akwaeke Emezi explores grief, love and spirituality
Akwaeke Emezi’s latest novel, “The Death of Vivek Oji,” delves into grief, different types of love and identity. Miller spoke with the author about the inspiration for the book.
Minneapolis mayor calls for unity, outlines broad plan for city budget
In order to make up lost revenue, Mayor Jacob Frey said he’s proposing a 5.75 percent property tax levy. Frey said he wants to avoid staff cuts as much as possible. His staff is working on volunteer early retirement incentives to encourage more senior staff to step down.
Trump, GOP make big-city safety worries a campaign issue
As President Donald Trump competes for a Minnesota win, he and other Republicans are making crime and unrest a central focus of their campaigns.
Housing advocate Jamal Osman defeats 10 others in Mpls. Ward 6 race
Minneapolis City Council Ward 6 has lacked a representative throughout the George Floyd protests and the coronavirus pandemic. After three days, election officials finally announced Jamal's win.
Friday afternoon and Friday evening will feature some strong to severe thunderstorms in parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The storms linger into the overnight hours, but the daylight hours of Saturday are looking pretty good. We have your weekend forecast details.
Eagle attacks woman along North Shore, bystander comes to the rescue
Cascade Lodge and Restaurant head kitchen manager Bernie Banks happened to be outside when he saw the eagle attacking the woman.
Trump set to campaign Monday in Mankato
President Donald Trump will appear at the local airport for a 2 p.m. speech Monday on jobs and the economy.
Sports on hold for some young athletes in a summer marked by COVID-19
Athletes across Minnesota had to rethink how and when they practice their sports — or skip their seasons completely — to avoid getting and spreading the coronavirus.
Schools across the state are still finalizing plans for the return of classes this fall. For districts where students will be coming back into the classroom, at least in some capacity, there's a lot of pressure on school nurses. Nurse Deb Landin in Warroad, Minn. spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has received less than 1 percent of the money that Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group pledged to it two years ago amid the electronics giant's expansion plans in Wisconsin.
Widespread severe weather expected Friday
Minnesota sees very active weather Friday with widespread showers and storms across the state, including areas of severe weather and heavy rain. Much quieter weather returns over the weekend.
Spotty, but very intense, thunderstorms set several single-day rainfall records recently. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer checked in with retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley about the latest wild weather.
‘She was a legend’: Quetico ranger remembered for her guidance, grit
Janice Matichuk, the longest-serving interior ranger in the history of Quetico Provincial Park, died last week from brain cancer. For 35 years she greeted canoeists crossing from the Boundary Waters into Canada at the remote Cache Bay Ranger station, on a small island on Saganaga Lake, at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
St. Paul officials estimate 300 businesses were damaged during the civil unrest in late May. In Minneapolis, the number was closer to 1,300 businesses. City officials in both cities expect rebuilding in critical business corridors could take 10 years. This is an MPR News morning update for August 14, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
More U.S. churches sue to challenge COVID-19 restrictions
Churches in California and Minnesota, backed by a conservative legal group, filed lawsuits this week against the governors of their states challenging restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak that they contend are violations of religious liberty.
Aug. 14 update on COVID-19 in MN: Keep it off campus; mind your sanitizer
The state’s infectious disease director is urging college students to “lay low” before returning to their schools and warning against attending big parties, road trips and other gatherings that could ultimately bring the disease to campus.
Poll: Biden expands lead, a third of country says it won't get vaccinated
The Democratic nominee for president now leads President Trump by 11 points. And more people are worried about the coronavirus, but 35 percent still say they won't get vaccinated when one's available.
Political conventions will likely never be the same
The pandemic forced this years conventions to go virtual. That won't be the end of the change, as future gatherings shift from the age of television to the world of social media and viral moments.
St. Paul rebuilding efforts inch along after civil unrest
St. Paul officials estimate 300 businesses were damaged during the civil unrest in late May. City officials say rebuilding in critical business corridors could take 10 years.
Ex-cop's video captures crowd's horror during Floyd arrest
Tou Thao kept the crowd at bay while three other Minneapolis officers pinned George Floyd to the ground. Newly released video from Thao’s body camera shows onlookers’ growing distress as they fear Floyd is dying and plead with the officers to get off him.