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Stories from August 21, 2020

Two men charged in fire at Minneapolis bank during unrest

Two men charged in fire at Minneapolis bank during unrest

Federal prosecutors in Minneapolis have charged two people with arson in connection with a fire at a bank during the civil unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd in May.
by Matt Sepic

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Pentagon: Use of surveillance planes in protests was legal

Pentagon: Use of surveillance planes in protests was legal

The probe was ordered by Defense Secretary Mark Esper in response to questions within the department and Congress about whether the military illegally conducted surveillance of American citizens during the unrest after the killing of George Floyd.
by The Associated Press

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St. Paul man charged with stealing $841K in virus loans

A federal grand jury has indicted a St. Paul man on charges that he fraudulently obtained $841,000 in federal coronavirus loans for a business that doesn't exist. 
by The Associated Press

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As campus cases rise nationwide, U of M president proposes delaying on-campus start

As campus cases rise nationwide, U of M president proposes delaying on-campus start

In a note to the campus community Friday, University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel said that she’s proposing that three of the U’s campuses — in the Twin Cities, Rochester and Duluth — begin classes online for at least the first two weeks of school this fall. The university’s Board of Regents will take up her proposals Monday.
by MPRNews Staff

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Twin Cities school districts mostly choose hybrid model of distance, in-person

Just over half of the 46 districts surveyed by the Association for Metropolitan Area School Districts will bring students back to in-person classes in some capacity. Also, health officials suggest parents model mask-wearing and distancing for their kids to prepare for school. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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Coronavirus FAQ: So do lots of people get COVID-19 from flying?

Coronavirus FAQ: So do lots of people get COVID-19 from flying?

A study released this week points to two passengers infected on a 4-hour flight. But there hasn't been a lot of documentation of transmission on planes. So how risky is flying?
by Pranav Baskar

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Listen: Joe Biden's acceptance speech at Democratic National Convention

Listen: Joe Biden's acceptance speech at Democratic National Convention

Listen to Joe Biden’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, as well as other speeches by members of Congress, a child from New Hampshire, and more.

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Golden State Killer sentenced to life for 26 rapes, slayings

Golden State Killer sentenced to life for 26 rapes, slayings

A former California police officer dubbed the Golden State Killer told victims Friday hew was “truly sorry" before he was sentenced to multiple life prison sentences for a decade-long string of rapes and murders that terrorized a wide swath of the state.
by The Associated Press

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Senate showdown begins over commerce commissioner

Senate showdown begins over commerce commissioner

Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley defended his job performance during a Senate hearing Friday, with Republicans signaling that he is in trouble.
by Tim Pugmire

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Weekend forecast: Summery both days; thunder chance Saturday

It’ll be a summery weekend. You might want to jump into a lake or swimming pool. We have your forecast details, which include a Saturday thunderstorm chance.
by Ron Trenda

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What comes next for Mayo’s COVID-19 plasma program?

The New York Times is reporting this week that a group of top federal health officials have privately voiced concern about a prominent COVID-19 research program run by the Mayo Clinic. The program is testing the use of blood plasma from recovered patients to treat those who are seriously ill with the virus.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Weather chat: Storms brought more storms, tornadoes this week

Storms brought several tornadoes and record-breaking rainfalls to many parts of the state last weekend. Retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley discussed the storms with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer in their weekly weather chat.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Woodbury pilot killed in crash of small plane near Ely

The Lake County Sheriff's Office says that the plane left the Ely Airport around 9 p.m. Thursday and crashed into White Iron Lake. It was headed toward the Grand Marais/Cook County Airport, about 116 miles to the east, officials said.
by The Associated Press

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Storms impact part of the weekend

A storm system moving across Minnesota brings more active weather Friday and Saturday, then the heat returns early next week for parts of the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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For students with disabilities, schools say they have to do better in the fall

For students with disabilities, schools say they have to do better in the fall

When U.S. schools went online-only in the spring, many struggled to provide vital services to students with disabilities. Families, advocates and many educators say this fall has to be different.
by Cory Turner

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Postmaster DeJoy vows post office can handle mail-in ballots, in Senate hearing

Postmaster DeJoy vows post office can handle mail-in ballots, in Senate hearing

The new postmaster general faces a public backlashes over changes and delivery delays since he took the helm of the Postal Service in June. President Donald Trump praises DeJoy, a Republican donor and ally. But Democrats warn his cost-cutting initiatives are causing an upheaval that threatens the election.
by Miles Parks and Barbara Sprunt

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St. Olaf suspends 17 students after off-campus party

At least one person who attended the party was infected with COVID-19. The college says 50 students are now in quarantine due to lack of social distancing, many with ties to the party. MPR News morning update for August 21, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.    

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Friday brings scattered storms

Scattered showers and storms move across most of Minnesota by Friday evening, bringing an isolated chance for severe weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Harris' dual identities challenge America's race labels

Harris' dual identities challenge America's race labels

While Kamala Harris’ Indian and Jamaican heritage represents several slices of the minority experience in America, many have puzzled over how to define her. And that in turn has prompted people of multiracial backgrounds to think about how they define themselves.
by The Associated Press

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California fires claim 5 lives, threaten thousands of homes

California fires claim 5 lives, threaten thousands of homes

Although the temperatures were expected to ease slightly Friday, they were expected to be hot enough that firefighters couldn't count on cool evening weather to aid them. Erratic winds also could drive the fires unpredictably in multiple directions, state fire officials said.
by The Associated Press

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Wisconsin election officials: Kanye off presidential ballot

Wisconsin election officials: Kanye off presidential ballot

Wisconsin elections officials have decided to keep rapper Kanye West off the battleground states' presidential ballot in November because he turned in his nomination papers moments late. The state Elections Commission voted 5-1 on Thursday to keep West and running mate Michelle Tidball's names off the ballot.
by The Associated Press

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Aug. 21 update on COVID-19: 15 cases tied to Sturgis, more expected

Aug. 21 update on COVID-19: 15 cases tied to Sturgis, more expected

State health officials have worried for weeks about Minnesotans carrying COVID-19 back from the massive motorcycle rally in Sturgis, S.D. On Friday, they confirmed that Sturgis cases are surfacing, with one person hospitalized.
by MPR News Staff

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Day care, grandparent, pod or nanny? How to manage the risks of pandemic child care

Day care, grandparent, pod or nanny? How to manage the risks of pandemic child care

At least two-thirds of U.S. families are struggling to find safe and affordable child care as the pandemic rages on. NPR asked infectious disease experts to help sort the health risks of each option.
by Katherine Harmon Courage

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Behind on rent? A new $100 million housing assistance program may help

Behind on rent? A new $100 million housing assistance program may help

Starting Monday, Minnesotans who are behind in their rent or mortgage can apply for housing assistance intended for those struggling financially because of COVID-19. But there will be challenges in getting the money into the hands of people who need it most, so officials want to enlist landlords to help get out the word.
by Melissa Townsend

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Fact check: Biden's address to the DNC, annotated

Fact check: Biden's address to the DNC, annotated

Joe Biden formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president on the fourth night of the convention. Here are fact checks and analysis of his remarks.
by NPR Staff

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Minneapolis to spend $4.8 million on temporary police station

Minneapolis to spend $4.8 million on temporary police station

The city of Minneapolis plans to rent an office building for at least three years to serve as a temporary headquarters for police displaced from the 3rd Precinct. 
by Matt Sepic

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