Stories from August 24, 2020

CWD spreads in Minnesota deer, but COVID-19 may make monitoring harder
This spring, an infected animal was found in the southern Twin Cities metro area. The finding coincides with a suspension of mandatory testing over concerns hunters could spread the coronavirus at testing stations.
Revved by Sturgis rally, COVID-19 infections move fast, far
Public health departments in multiple states are trying to measure how much and how quickly the virus spread in the bars, tattoo shops and gatherings before people traveled home to nearly every state in the country. The city of Sturgis is also conducting mass testing for its roughly 7,000 residents.
How Minnesota's evictions ban is playing out
With money tighter amid the pandemic, what rights and protections do tenants have? What rights do property owners have? Two experts in the housing industry joined the program to talk about the pandemic’s impact on tenants and landlords.
Developing storms may produce severe weather Monday night.
Classes in southwestern Minnesota have been cancelled and the University of Minnesota says it is delaying students moving in and in-person classes, as COVID-19 continues to play havoc with back-to-school plans. This is an MPR News evening update for Monday, August 24, 2020, hosted by Tim Nelson. Our music is by Gary Meister.
GOP senators air grievances in job review for MPCA leader
Senate Republicans aired grievances as they reviewed the job performance of Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop. She's the latest cabinet member to face tough questions and potential removal amid disputes between Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and the Senate GOP majority. 
TikTok sues Trump to block U.S. ban
The White House has targeted the Chinese-owned app with an executive order that would effectively ban it from operating in the U.S. Lawyers for TikTok say the president's action is unconstitutional.
Cracking the 'giant jigsaw puzzle': Minnesota schools scale back reopening plans
Minnesota’s constellation of school plans is beginning to take shape. But rising case rates, uncertainty, budget constraints and pushback from teachers means many districts have already scaled back plans for in-person learning.
Minn. Trump supporters say they trust him on the economy
As Republicans gather remotely for the first night of their national convention, we checked back with some Minnesotans who voted for Trump four years ago to see how they think he's done as president. 
Tiny elephant shrew resurfaces after more than 50 years on 'lost species' list
The mouse-sized Somali sengi — a kind of elephant shrew with a pointy nose and large, adorable eyes — was thought to be a lost species. It was recently spotted by researchers in Djibouti.
Thousands allowed to bypass environmental rules in pandemic
Thousands of oil and gas operations and other sites have won permission to stop monitoring for hazardous emissions or otherwise break government rules because of the coronavirus outbreak. The findings come in an investigation by The Associated Press. 
How to talk to vaccine skeptics so they might actually hear you
With the advent of flu season, and COVID-19 cases rising, a public health disaster even worse than what we’re now experiencing could occur this fall and winter. Here are some myths and truths about how to increase rates of vaccinations.
The Thread: Three books to read during the GOP convention
The Republican National Convention starts today. For her Thread must-read, Kerri Miller brings us three more books that will make a political junkie out of anyone!  
Marco fizzles as it nears Gulf Coast; Laura still to become hurricane
The storms had been seen as a rare chance for two hurricanes to occupy the Gulf of Mexico at the same time. That won't happen — but they'll both hit Louisiana's coast.
The weather stays active this week, with the possibility of severe weather. Meanwhile, temperatures stay high through Wednesday, then return to more seasonable highs by the weekend.
Republican convention takeaways: All Trump, all the time
There was little mention of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 175,000 Americans and imperiled Trump's presidency. Republicans did try to make the case that Trump and the party have done a lot to help minorities.
Active weather targets central and southern Minnesota Monday with everything from dangerous heat to a risk for severe storms.
Big California wildfires burn on as death toll reaches 7
Three massive wildfires chewed through parched Northern California landscape as firefighters raced to dig breaks and make other preparations ahead of a frightening weather system packing high winds and more of the lightning that sparked the huge blazes.
The fall semester might begin even more differently than expected this year for undergraduates on several University of Minnesota campuses. University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced Friday 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 is expected to take up Gabel's proposal in a special meeting Monday morning. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Aug. 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases steady as U of M delays on-campus classes
Minnesota’s COVID-19 case numbers continued their climb Monday, as the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents approved a proposal to delay in-person classes for some of its campuses.
Kellyanne Conway to leave White House job, citing family concerns
Conway, who is married to conservative lawyer George T. Conway III, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, said the couple "disagree about plenty," but "are united on what matters most: the kids."
Trump’s grip on GOP is firm in once-shaky Minnesota
Minnesota’s delegation to the Republican National Convention is much more unified around Donald Trump than the one that attended the convention four years ago where he first accepted the Republican presidential nomination.
NPR special report: Summer of racial reckoning
Since the police killing of George Floyd on May 25, the summer has unfolded with an outpouring of grief, anger and calls to action. NPR produced three one-hour specials on racial injustice, the protests that have swept the country, and where the nation is headed.