Stories from August 27, 2020

More MLB games postponed in response to racial injustice
At least four more Major League Baseball games have been postponed. Oakland’s game at Texas along with Philadelphia at Washington, Minnesota at Detroit and Boston at the Blue Jays were postponed a day after three games weren't played in response to the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin.
Minnesota's boreal forest is a climate change hot spot
Northern Minnesota is among the fastest warming areas on the planet, and that’s beginning to change the makeup of forests there.
At least four businesses were set on fire and dozens were damaged Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The unrest erupted after what authorities describe as misinformation about the suicide of a homicide suspect in downtown Minneapolis. The city's curfew will run from 8 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. St. Paul also has a curfew during that time. MPR News evening update for August 27, 2020. Hosted by Dan Kraker. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Biden, Harris criticize Trump response to unrest, pandemic
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stepped up their criticism of President Donald Trump on Thursday, saying he’s rooting for violence amid unrest in Wisconsin and blasting him for a lack of leadership on the coronavirus pandemic, hours before Trump’s planned address on the final night of the Republican National Convention.
Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff discuss "The Personal History of David Copperfield" and "Get Duked." And it has to be said their reviews are mixed.
WNBA games postponed for 2nd straight night over shooting
For the second consecutive day, the WNBA postponed three games following the weekend shooting of Jacob Blake.
Listen: Vice President Mike Pence, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and others at Day 3 of RNC
Speeches from the third day of the Republican National Convention, including Vice President Mike Pence, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and others.
Fact-checking 6 claims Pence made about Biden's record in his RNC speech
Pence warned that a Biden administration would threaten American freedoms and crumble the nation's economy. In making that case, Pence deployed several inaccurate or questionable claims.
What did we learn from the conventions?
This year’s unconventional conventions are wrapping up. What did they tell us about the final stretch of the 2020 presidential campaign?
If you like cooler weather with low humidity, you’ll like the weekend forecast. Some spots may see a bit if rain late on Sunday.
In Focus: The Future of Policing
The police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin has brought new urgency to the discussion over the role police and police departments play in communities. MPR News hosted an online event to talk about what changes are needed.
RNC wraps with Trump’s promise of ‘record prosperity’
“In a new term as president, we will again build the greatest economy in history, quickly returning to full employment, soaring incomes and record prosperity,” he said, as the country faces massive unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Supporters worry mining company’s bankruptcy filing could leave fate of prairie undecided
When one of the country’s largest silica mining companies filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this summer, it left the future of a southern Minnesota prairie in limbo. Now, as the case winds its way through bankruptcy court, local environmental activists are worried about who will be responsible for the 240 acres of restored prairie land that the company had promised to maintain.
Severe weather is likely for the southern half of Minnesota late Thursday and into the overnight. Meanwhile, temperatures continue to cool back toward, and even slightly below, average.
'The Socrates Express' takes readers on a ride through applied philosophy
Eric Weiner's book is an invitation to experience philosophy, as he explores his relationship to the works of well-known philosophers and shows us how their ideas can help us improve our lives.
As one family navigates COVID-19, they ask whether it’s safe to disagree during a pandemic
For months, members of the sprawling Hochstetler family disagreed on how seriously to take the coronavirus pandemic. But when four family members — and two close friends — got sick, they had to grapple with a challenging question: Whether it’s safe to agree to disagree in a pandemic.
Thursday stays above average across the state but not as hot as recent days, and strong storms move in late.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued a curfew Wednesday night to try to curb potential for violence downtown following rumors that a man who died by suicide had been shot by officers. Loose groups of people smashed windows, grabbed merchandise from stores on and around Nicollet Mall. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, August 27, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
 Minneapolis under curfew again after businesses looted, vandalized
The curfew will run from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Friday. "Let's restore order. Let's restore peace," Mayor Jacob Frey implored residents. "Stay in, stay safe and please help us all bring about peace." St. Paul will also have a curfew in effect for the same duration.
Bro, this is not the 'Beowulf' you think you know
This new translation of the ancient epic poem drags it kicking and screaming into the 21st century, giving us tales of blood, guts and glory told as if over beers in a loud sports bar.
Ill. teen charged in Kenosha shooting that killed 2, hurt 1
Prosecutors on Thursday charged a white 17-year-old from Illinois in the fatal shooting of two protesters and the wounding of a third in Kenosha, Wis., during a night of unrest following the weekend police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Laura carves destructive path through Louisiana; 4 dead
Laura has weakened to a tropical storm after blasting the Louisiana coast with high winds and heavy rain for hours. The system that came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane is being blamed for two deaths and widespread damage around Lake Charles, an industrial and casino city of 80,000 people.
Key takeaways from Day 3 of the Republican National Convention
Vice President Mike Pence stressed a law and order message as protests over racism and policing continue. Republicans also worked to shore up support from suburban women and contrast visions of the future.
Aug. 27 update on COVID-19 in MN: Highest daily case count reflects lab's reporting backlog
The state reported its highest daily number of new positive COVID-19 cases Thursday. But it comes with a caveat: The report was larger than expected because of a two-week backlog of tests and results from a single Minnesota lab. Backlog aside, cases continue their steady climb as the school year inches closer.
Art Hounds: Drive-in music videos and other art you can enjoy outdoors
Battle of the bands meets drive-in in Olmsted County, paintings inspired by Zoom and music from the sidewalk are among the recommendations from this week’s Art Hounds.
Mpls. mayor imposes curfew, National Guard activated to quell unrest
Mayor Jacob Frey imposed a curfew effective 9:45 p.m. Wednesday night in downtown after people broke windows to stores and looted some. Police and community leaders tried to tamp down rumors about a police shooting, after a man shot himself.
CDC's changed testing guidelines could lead to less testing, experts fear
The agency now says contacts of people with COVID-19 don't necessarily need to get tested. Public health experts say less testing of potential carriers could lead to more spread of the disease.