Stories from August 16, 2020

A bit cooler to start the week, with plenty of sunshine
If you don’t like steamy weather, you’ll probably enjoy our Monday temps. People who like it a bit warmer will be happy with our temps later in the week.
Cargo ship that spilled oil splits in two off Mauritius coast
Crews had already removed thousands of tons of fuel oil from the ship to stave off further harm to the environment. Still, scientists say it's the worst ecological disaster in the country's history.
Pelosi to call House back into session to vote on USPS bill
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday she is calling the House back into session over the crisis at the U.S. Postal Service, setting up a political showdown amid growing concerns that the Trump White House is trying to undermine the agency ahead of the election.
Just a quarter of Minneapolis residents hold a favorable opinion of the Minneapolis Police Department, according to a poll commissioned by MPR News, the Star Tribune and KARE 11.  The Minneapolis Police Department is unpopular across racial lines. People who identify as Republicans and older residents were more likely to have favorable views of the department.  This is an MPR News update for Sunday, August 16, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Protesters vandalized a Minneapolis police precinct headquarters and targeted officers with fireworks on Saturday night, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said.
Poll: Only a quarter of Mpls. residents favor city’s Police Department
The Minneapolis Police Department is unpopular across racial lines, according to a new MPR News/Star Tribune/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll. People who identify as Republicans and older residents were more likely to have favorable views of the department. 
Most of us will enjoy very pleasant weather this Sunday. A few spots may see a late afternoon or evening thunderstorm. We have details on that, plus a look at the week ahead. We also have updated info on the tornadoes that hit parts of Minnesota on Friday.
Crews battle wildfires amid brutal heat wave in California
Firefighters struggled to contain three wildfires near Los Angeles on Saturday amid triple-digit temperatures. In Northern California, the National Weather Service warned fire crews of the possibility of a rare fire tornado.
Robert Trump, the president’s younger brother, dies at 71
President Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, a businessman known for an even keel that seemed almost incompatible with the family name, died Saturday night after being hospitalized in New York, the president said in a statement. He was 71.
'Hatemonger' tracks how right-wing media shaped Trump policy architect Stephen Miller
Jean Guerrero tells NPR she became fascinated, when reporting from the border, with how a descendant of Jewish refugees ended up as the person crafting Donald Trump's "harshest rhetoric and policies."
Feeling deluged by news? Let 'The Daughters of Ys' wash over you
M.T. Anderson's new graphic novel — with gorgeous art by Jo Rioux — adapts the old legend of the drowned city of Ys, giving it better, fuller female characters and a timely environmental message.
Caretakers of Floyd memorial site speak out against reopening streets
Community members overseeing the George Floyd memorial site at 38th and Chicago in south Minneapolis outlined a list of 24 items they want the city, county and state to address before the barriers are removed.