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Stories from August 20, 2020

U of M students brace for change when classes resume

U of M students brace for change when classes resume

As University of Minnesota students prepare for classes to begin in a couple of weeks, they know they are able to plan for only so much. Already some higher education institutions have had to abruptly stop in-person classes because of COVID-19 outbreaks.
by Peter Cox

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Sticky air mass fuels thunderstorms Friday night

An increasingly tropical air mass spawns a few thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday.
by Paul Huttner

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Unemployment rate falls to 7.7%

Minnesota's jobless numbers continued to fall last month, but remain considerably higher than before the coronavirus pandemic began.  According to new data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent in July, down from 8.6 percent in June. This is an MPR News evening update for August 20, 2020. Hosted by Dan Kraker. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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1 in 5 nursing homes short on PPE and staff in virus rebound

1 in 5 nursing homes short on PPE and staff in virus rebound

One in 5 nursing homes in the country faced severe shortages of protective gear like N95 masks this summer, according to a new study that found facilities also struggled with a lack of staff as COVID-19 cases rebounded.
by The Associated Press

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Can the Midwest expect more derechos as the climate changes?

Can the Midwest expect more derechos as the climate changes?

Climate change is expected to increase the number of hot, humid days in the Midwest. But will the heat and humidity, which are key components of derechos, translate into more of the destructive windstorms?
by Paul Huttner

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How the pandemic has upended high school sports

How the pandemic has upended high school sports

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted high school sports across the country. In Minnesota, seasons are either starting later, ending shorter, or a combination of the two. Three high school coaches joined the program to talk about how they're dealing with these changes and how this could impact their students’ future.
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Listen: Kamala Harris and Barack Obama at Day 3 of Democratic National Convention

Listen: Kamala Harris and Barack Obama at Day 3 of Democratic National Convention

Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren speak on the third night of the “virtual” Democratic National Convention.

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Another Line 3 appeal: Four things to know

Another Line 3 appeal: Four things to know

In the latest twist to the saga of the Line 3 oil replacement project, the Walz administration is challenging the proposed pipeline in court. Here are four things to know about this step in the yearslong process.
by Dan Kraker

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Minnesota unemployment rate falls to 7.7 percent

Minnesota unemployment rate falls to 7.7 percent

In June, the state’s unemployment rate was 8.6 percent. Though Minnesota's jobless rate has been falling since hitting a record high in May, it remains more than double what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic began. 
by MPR News Staff

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Plaintiffs sue to keep Minneapolis cops on the job

Plaintiffs sue to keep Minneapolis cops on the job

A group of north Minneapolis residents is suing the city to compel it to maintain the legal minimum of police officers on the force. Group members say the number of cops has already dropped below that level.
by Brandt Williams

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How to change how we teach history

How to change how we teach history

A historian and an education policy scholar walk us through the problems with how we teach history in this country and how to improve curriculum.
by Kerri Miller, Kelly Gordon and Breann Schossow

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'Break It Up' examines the history of secession movements in the U.S.

'Break It Up' examines the history of secession movements in the U.S.

Author Richard Kreitner tells NPR he didn't write his book as a prescription, but that "if we are talking about the end of democracy in America ... I think we need to have all options on the table."
by Steve Inskeep

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Coming soon to an iron mine near you: Electric vehicles?

Coming soon to an iron mine near you: Electric vehicles?

Duluth-based Minnesota Power is pitching a pilot project to electrify some of the huge haul trucks used at northern Minnesota's iron ore mines.
by Dan Kraker

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Ex-White House adviser Steve Bannon charged with misusing donations for Trump's border wall

Ex-White House adviser Steve Bannon charged with misusing donations for Trump's border wall

The former political adviser to President Trump was indicted alongside three other people in connection with an effort to defraud "hundreds of thousands of donors," according to federal prosecutors. 
by Barbara Sprunt

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The hot, humid weather returns

The weather across Minnesota has turned warm and humid once more, and storm chances increase as we head toward the weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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U.S. jobless claims jump back above 1 million in face of virus

U.S. jobless claims jump back above 1 million in face of virus

The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose to 1.1 million last week after two weeks of declines, evidence that employers are still cutting large numbers of jobs as the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. economy.
by The Associated Press

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Hotter, more humid weather returns

Temperatures stay above average all of Thursday, with more showers and storms moving across northern Minnesota.
by Nicole Mitchell

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ND’s top health official resigns

Dr. Andrew Stahl is leaving after three months as North Dakota’s interim state health officer. The previous state health officer resigned suddenly in May. MPR News morning update for August 20, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Northern California wildfires threatening thousands of homes

Northern California wildfires threatening thousands of homes

Fire officials say hundreds of thousands of acres and well over 100 buildings have burned, including homes. At least 8,000 people were ordered to evacuate Wednesday night because of fires in the Russian River area of Solano County. Other fires north, east and south of San Francisco are causing terrible air quality over the city.
by The Associated Press

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Source: Michigan reaches $600M deal in Flint water crisis

Source: Michigan reaches $600M deal in Flint water crisis

The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by lead-tainted drinking water. That's according to an attorney involved in settlement negotiations.
by The Associated Press

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Art Hounds: Escape from puzzle rooms; stream a play about microaggressions and 'Minnesota Nice'

Art Hounds: Escape from puzzle rooms; stream a play about microaggressions and 'Minnesota Nice'

Microaggressions and “Minnesota Nice” in a streamed stage production, an outdoor multimedia show at Jungle Theater and virtual escape rooms are all on the list recommended by this week’s Art Hounds.
by Emily Bright

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Aug. 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: School guidance map shifts again

Aug. 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: School guidance map shifts again

In the latest batch of calculations released Thursday, 11 counties saw their recommendations change for the worse if school started today, away from in-person learning for all students, while six counties saw improvements. Here’s the latest map.
by David H. Montgomery and MPR News Staff

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How to tell a real COVID-19 contact tracer's call from a scammer's

How to tell a real COVID-19 contact tracer's call from a scammer's

A loved one's health could depend on the truth if you get a call from a real contact tracer about your exposure to the coronavirus. But beware impostors who ask you for payment or to click on a link.
by Julie Appleby

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Key takeaways from night 3 of the Democratic convention

Key takeaways from night 3 of the Democratic convention

Democrats’ persistent theme: President Donald Trump is unsuited for the White House both in skills and temperament. And no one, not even former President Barack Obama, held back Wednesday night.
by The Associated Press

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Georgia teachers' back-to-school rap about virtual learning goes viral

Georgia teachers' back-to-school rap about virtual learning goes viral

Callie Evans and Audri Williams rap about online learning and the COVID-19 pandemic from the empty halls of Monroe Comprehensive High School, backed up by mask-wearing, move-busting cheerleaders.
by Rachel Treisman

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