Stories from August 28, 2020

Comfortable weekend weather; thunder chance late Sunday in the west
Comfortably cooler weather is on tap this weekend. Many areas will be rain-free both days. We have the weekend forecast details and a look at the week ahead.
Pence talks jobs, law and order at campaign stop in Duluth
Vice President Mike Pence made a campaign swing through Duluth Friday on the heels of the Republican National Convention, marking the fourth time either he or President Trump has visited Minnesota this year.
FDA removes top spokesperson after blood plasma blunder
Emily Miller was central in defending the FDA commissioner, Dr. Stephen Hahn, after he falsely said that blood plasma could lower the death rate from COVID-19 by more than a third.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the city is prepared to respond if looting were to flare up. Minneapolis issued curfews over the past two nights after windows were smashed and several stores were looted Wednesday evening. MPR News afternoon update for Friday, Aug. 28. Hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Minnesota looks for additional $300 in weekly jobless aid
The money is available through a new federal program that replaced a larger assistance award, which expired in July.
In northern Minnesota, tracking songbirds to help them thrive in a changing forest
In northern Minnesota, researchers are tracking threatened songbirds through the forest to identify the habitat the birds rely on after they hatch. The goal is to help land managers create the kind of forest these birds need to survive into the future.
Kenosha police reject accusations of assistance from armed vigilantes
Law enforcement officials are pushing back on suggestions that police showed deference to groups of armed whites at Black Lives Matter protests ahead of fatal shootings.
NBA playoffs resume Saturday as sides detail new commitments
The NBA playoffs will resume Saturday after the league and the National Basketball Players Association detailed the commitments that made players comfortable continuing.
I think most people will enjoy our weekend weather, which will be fairly typical for late August. We have your forecast details.
Most of the state saw average temperatures in August that were 1 to 3 degrees hotter than normal. That’s according to retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley, who ran down the month in weather with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer in their weekly chat.
A storm system moving across Minnesota Friday leaves cooler weather in its wake, and that trend of more seasonable temperatures carries through next week.
One author's argument 'In Defense of Looting'
In her new book, writer Vicky Osterweil argues that looting is a powerful tool to bring about real, lasting change in society.
When you create a successful franchise, you want to make sure it keeps going — and at Twin Cities PBS, history is popular. Some of the station’s most-watched documentaries over the years have been the locally produced “Lost Twin Cities” series, which looks at Minneapolis and St. Paul history that has been lost to time.
Police, state troopers, and soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard were on patrol during an overnight curfew in the Twin Cities, after looting and vandalism hit businesses along Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis on Wednesday night. The unrest followed rumors of a police shooting. MPR News morning update for August 28, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
A broad area of showers and storms is moving across the state Friday, while temperatures return closer to average for late August.
Laura victims may go weeks without power; deaths climb to 14
Laura made landfall as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. Most of the deaths were from trees crashing into homes or from carbon monoxide poisoning tied to generators. Meanwhile, the hurricane’s remnants drifted north and threatened to bring flooding and tornadoes to Tennessee.
How many coronavirus cases are happening in schools? This tracker keeps count
Alisha Morris, a Kansas theater teacher, created a database of COVID-19 cases in schools. Now maintained by the National Education Association, it shares data that some schools prefer to keep quiet.
Japan's Shinzo Abe is stepping down as prime minister
Abe announced he is leaving office before his term ends in 2021 because of poor health. His legacy is controversial and successor is unclear.
No curfew for Friday night in the Twin Cities
Minneapolis and St. Paul do not plan to issue curfews for Friday night. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, however, the city is prepared to change that if looting or vandalism flares up. Also on Friday, prosecutors filed felony charges against 16 people in connection with widespread looting in the Twin Cities this week.
7 takeaways from the Republican National Convention
As the United States heads into the post-Labor Day sprint to Election Day, both parties are arguing that the soul of America is at stake. For Republicans, it's all about trying to stick the culture war to Biden.
More space, please: Home sales booming despite pandemic, recession
Despite high unemployment, a severe recession and economic uncertainty, the housing market is on a tear. Sales are booming and prices hit a record high. Low rates and remote work are driving factors.
Aug. 28 update on COVID-19 in MN: State increasing enforcement at bars, restaurants
State health officials announced that bars and restaurants across Minnesota will face increased scrutiny starting Friday over whether they're complying with COVID-19 guidelines. The state reported 862 new cases Friday, in keeping with the steady drumbeat of new cases all month.
When a graphic video can quell unrest but still do harm
As tensions boiled over in Minneapolis, city leaders and journalists wrestled with whether to post graphic footage of a man killing himself. Newsrooms are trained to use extreme caution when reporting on suicide and to refrain from reporting on the details. But this case tested those principles.
As Trump targets Minnesota, DFLers want to see Biden
With Minnesota in the Trump campaign’s focus, Vice President Mike Pence makes another stop in the state. Joe Biden hasn’t come by yet during his presidential run.
Fact check: Trump's address to the Republican convention, annotated
President Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president on Thursday. NPR reporters providing analysis of his remarks.