Stories from September 8, 2020

If we have to endure chilly weather, we might as well set a record! We accomplished that feat in the Twin Cities on Tuesday. Details on that, plus a look at frost/freeze warnings in northern Minnesota and who has the best chance of rain on Wednesday.
Minnesota Orchestra will mount fall season without live audiences
Even playing to an empty hall, the music will be of the high quality the audience expects, says Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska.
Pandemic, 'Floyd effect' hamper Minneapolis crime prevention efforts
During one of the most violent summers in more than a decade, the city’s public health initiatives to prevent retaliatory violence have been constrained by efforts to contain the outbreak of COVID-19 and public reaction to the police killing of George Floyd.
It's a first day of school like no other in Minnesota, as the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes learning yet again for the traditional kickoff of the school year. This is an MPR News evening update for Tuesday, September 8th, 2020, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music is by Gary Meister.
Now that NFL supports Colin Kaepernick's fight, what's next
Four years later, the NFL admitted it was wrong and said it now supports Colin Kaepernick in his fight against racial injustice, encouraging players to take a stand — or a knee — for the cause. What happens next?
Records shed light on Guard call-up during May chaos
A Minnesota agency is set to hire an evaluator to review state government’s response to the civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s killing in May. Newly released documents detail some high-level deliberations.
Minding your pandemic manners
Two etiquette experts join MPR News host Angela Davis to talk about how to politely ask someone to put a mask on and how to navigate other sticky situations, too.
Personal finance in uncertain times
The economy — and our personal budgets — have had an interesting and challenging year so far. We turn to a financial coach to discuss why we should improve our understanding of money and credit and talk about a new MPR News podcast.
Amid a deep recession, outdoor equipment is flying off the shelves
Kayaks and bicycles are now almost impossible to find in stores across the country. People who were able to keep their jobs and those who got expanded unemployment benefits have been driving demand.
Fast-moving wildfire destroys 80% of small town in eastern Washington state
The town of Malden lost its fire station, post office, City Hall, library and most of its homes, according to the Whitman County Sheriff's Office. Police went door to door telling residents to flee.
House investigating DeJoy over campaign finance allegations
House Democrats will investigate whether Postmaster General Louis DeJoy encouraged employees at his business to contribute to Republican candidates and then reimbursed them in the guise of bonuses, a violation of campaign finance laws.
Unseasonably cold weather, including some morning temperatures below freezing in northern Minnesota, lingers through mid-week. Temperatures slowly warm as we head toward the weekend.
View from Duluth: Ursa Minor Brewing on the challenges ahead
The transition into fall has many restaurant and bar owners in Minnesota worried. Cold weather will mean an end to patio dining, and scraping by on even a meager income this winter will be difficult.
Tuesday starts with frost and freeze conditions in northern Minnesota and stays well below average all day. Southern Minnesota sees lingering light rain.
As California burns, the winds arrive and the lights go out
New wildfires ravaged bone-dry California during a scorching Labor Day weekend that saw a dramatic airlift of more than 200 people trapped by flames and ended with the state's largest utility turning off power to 172,000 customers to try to prevent its power lines and other equipment from sparking more fires.
Thousands of other teachers and students across Minnesota will find similar changes and new norms when they return to school buildings Tuesday for the first time since the spring, when the state suspended in-person learning as the pandemic took off. It promises to be a first day of school like no other. This is a MPR News morning update for Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Trump fired a 'faux-Bama,' Michael Cohen says in tell-all memoir
In his book “Disloyal: A Memoir,” President Donald Trump's former personal attorney catalogs a laundry list of accusations, ranging from racism and sexual misconduct to financial misdeeds.
Zoom towns and the new housing market for the 2 Americas
One America is living in a housing boom. The other needs support from the government or family for an affordable place to live.
Eating disorders thrive in anxious times, and pose a lethal threat
Eating disorders strike nearly 1 in 10 Americans, with the second-highest death rate of all psychiatric disorders. The pandemic's food insecurity, stockpiling and stress are triggering flare-ups.
Minnesota shipwreck hunters locate long-sought Lake Michigan wreck
More than a century ago, the Pere Marquette 18 started taking on water while crossing Lake Michigan, and jettisoned its cargo of rail cars into the lake in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. It sank with the loss of more than two dozen lives and the wreck site had eluded searchers for decades — until two Minnesotans found it this summer.
No hugs, lots of hope: Pandemic brings a first day of school like no other
Thousands of teachers and students across Minnesota will find big changes and new norms when they return to school buildings Tuesday. Hastings offers a good look at the challenges ahead.
NPR Special Report: "The Summer of Racial Reckoning: Part 3"
Since the killing of George Floyd in an arrest by Minneapolis Police on May 25th, the summer has unfolded with an outpouring of grief, anger and calls to action. This is the third of three one-hour specials produced by NPR.