Stories from August 22, 2020

A steamy Sunday
We’ll have another steamy afternoon on Sunday, and the warm temperatures will linger into the coming week. Details on that, plus the tropical storms that could make landfall in Louisiana as hurricanes this week.
As the University of Minnesota considers keeping dorms closed for at least two weeks in the face of the pandemic, students and others show their displeasure in an online petition. This is an MPR News Saturday update for August 22nd 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Summery warmth and humidity will stay with us this weekend. Some locations may see a Saturday thunderstorm, then Sunday looks rain-free. We have your forecast details, including a look at the week ahead.
'Empire of Wild' interweaves mystery and love
Bookseller Nadine Teisberg of Birchbark Books in Minneapolis is recommending the novel “Empire of Wild” by Cherie Dimaline. Teisberg calls the novel an intriguing mystery and a powerful love story, interwoven with Dimaline’s own Georgian Bay Métis culture and traditions. 
AP fact check: What the Dems didn't say, and what Trump did
Joe Biden and fellow Democrats spun an assortment of facts to their benefit in their national convention, omitting inconvenient truths. Meantime President Donald Trump flooded the zone with falsehoods, some so apparent that anyone with access to the internet could see the folly of them at a glance.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Hospitalizations, new cases climb
Minnesota on Saturday reported another eight deaths and 746 newly confirmed cases. With 15 cases linked already to the Sturgis, S.D., motorcycle rally and more expected, officials worry too many Minnesotans are behaving like the pandemic is over.
Making the best of virtual learning: Some advice from the founder of Khan Academy
Sal Khan, a pioneer of online learning, says virtual instruction can't replace the real thing. With many schools going virtual this fall, he says building in one-on-one interaction will go a long way.
More than 550,000 primary absentee ballots rejected in 2020, far outpacing 2016
Tens of thousands of ballots have been rejected in key battleground states, where the outcome in November for the presidency and other races could be determined by a small number of votes.
Steamy summery weather is expected this Saturday, with a few spotty thunderstorms possible in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have the details.
Winning the game of love in 'Loathe At First Sight'
Suzanne Park's debut adult novel is a crackling romance starring a young woman trying to make it in the extremely male-dominated gaming industry — can she find love AND a career? Signs point to yes.