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Stories from October 15, 2020

Sexual assault charges dropped against Renaissance Festival manager

Sexual assault charges dropped against Renaissance Festival manager

Jury selection had been set to start Monday in the trial of Carr L. Hagerman, 62. Scott County prosecutors say he raped a freelance photographer on the Renaissance Festival grounds in September 2017.
by Matt Sepic

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Cube Critics discuss "Time" and "Clouds"

Two films about families facing hard realities: a 60 year sentence, and a teenager with terminal cancer. Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff discuss "Time" and "Clouds."
by Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff

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Elections efforts are moving into high gear

Elections efforts are moving into high gear, with tens of thousands of ballots already cast, and many more expected. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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During COVID-19, student enrollment is declining in Twin Cities public school districts

During COVID-19, student enrollment is declining in Twin Cities public school districts

Fewer families are sending their children to Twin Cities public school districts during the coronavirus pandemic than expected, portending financial troubles for many K-12 districts. School leaders say the pandemic is driving down student enrollment, as families opt to keep their children home or send them to private school.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Experts worry NOAA appointees will undermine climate science

One of the appointees has questioned the link between climate change and extreme weather events. The other questions humans’ role in climate change.
by Paul Huttner

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Senate passes massive public works bill; ends special session

Senate passes massive public works bill; ends special session

DFL Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign a $1.8 billion package of public construction borrowing, tax cuts and supplemental spending. The state Senate passed it Thursday with an overwhelming majority after the House passed it Wednesday night.
by Tim Pugmire

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Filmmaker finds an unlikely underwater friend in 'My Octopus Teacher'

Filmmaker finds an unlikely underwater friend in 'My Octopus Teacher'

Craig Foster spent a year diving — without oxygen or a wetsuit — into the frigid sea near Cape Town, South Africa. One octopus began coming out of her den to hunt or explore while Foster watched.
by Sam Briger

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Rethinking the holidays: Traditions, change are on the table

Rethinking the holidays: Traditions, change are on the table

Lots of people are already looking for creative and safe ways to celebrate the holidays this year. Some plan to cook their traditional Thanksgiving feast — but with a twist forced by the pandemic. Other folks are holding early Christmas celebrations so they can be with elderly parents outdoors while the weather still allows it. 
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota jobless rate falls to 6 percent, but fewer seeking jobs

Minnesota jobless rate falls to 6 percent, but fewer seeking jobs

Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped sharply last month to 6 percent, down from 7.4 percent in August. That corresponded with a significant dip in the number of people seeking work.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Halloween is trickier this year. How do you stay safe while celebrating?

Halloween is trickier this year. How do you stay safe while celebrating?

Halloween will look different during the pandemic. Should parents send their kids out to knock on doors? Should we open our doors to trick-or-treaters? A doctor joined the show to discuss how to stay safe during the Halloween festivities.
by Angela Davis and Karen Zamora

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Poll: Biden takes double-digit lead over Trump

Poll: Biden takes double-digit lead over Trump

Democratic nominee Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump now 54 percent to 43 percent among likely voters, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll.
by Domenico Montanaro

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Novel by Yaa Gyasi explores addiction, immigration and family ties

Novel by Yaa Gyasi explores addiction, immigration and family ties

Kerri Miller talked with writer Yaa Gyasi about growing up in Alabama, sibling relationships and her new book “Transcendent Kingdom.”
by Kerri Miller

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Intelligence Squared debate on policing in America

Intelligence Squared debate on policing in America

Historic protests calling for police reform have erupted across the nation. But just what could these reforms mean? And how should we see the criminal justice system today? Staged in our “Unresolved” format, this debate brings together five experts to tackle pressing questions on the history and future of policing in the United States.
by MPR News Staff

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Weekend forecast: Saturday snow accumulates in northern Minn.; Sunday is our chilliest day

Let it snow? Northern Minnesota has the best chance of accumulating snow this weekend. We have details on that, plus the rest of your weekend forecast. We also have an updated Minnesota fall color report.
by Ron Trenda

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GOP pushes Barrett toward court as Democrats decry 'sham'

GOP pushes Barrett toward court as Democrats decry 'sham'

Republicans are racing to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick and Democrats acknowledging there is little they can do stop them. Her confirmation would lock conservative majority on the court for years to come. 
by The Associated Press

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Being a mom is tough. Being a mom in a pandemic is even tougher

Being a mom is tough. Being a mom in a pandemic is even tougher

Being a mom is challenging enough. Add the pressures of a pandemic — and how do you cope? Mothers in Jordan, the Netherlands and Wisconsin share their stories and strategies.
by NPR Staff

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U.S. jobless claims rise to 898,000 with layoffs still high

U.S. jobless claims rise to 898,000 with layoffs still high

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 898,000, a historically high number that is evidence that layoffs remain a hindrance to the economy’s recovery from the pandemic recession that erupted seven months ago. 
by The Associated Press

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Census whiplashed by changing deadlines, accuracy concerns

Census whiplashed by changing deadlines, accuracy concerns

Minority groups have historically been undercounted in the once-a-decade census that determines how many congressional seats each state gets, as well as how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is distributed each year. Advocates say the shortened schedule will make that even worse.
by The Associated Press

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Harris suspends travel after staffers test positive for COVID-19

Harris suspends travel after staffers test positive for COVID-19

Joe Biden's presidential campaign said Thursday that vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will suspend in-person events until Monday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for coronavirus.
by The Associated Press

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Most of Minnesota sees a chance for snow this weekend

Colder weather has settled across the state, and likely stays in place through next week.  This means upcoming precipitation includes chances for snow.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Falcons — Vikings' opponent Sunday — close facility after positive COVID test

Falcons — Vikings' opponent Sunday — close facility after positive COVID test

The Atlanta Falcons have closed their team facility in Georgia due to at least one confirmed case of COVID-19, just days before the team is scheduled to play in Minneapolis. An NFL spokesperson told the NFL Network there is no change to the game at this time.
by Tim Nelson

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Outside witnesses testifying in final day of Barrett's confirmation hearing

Outside witnesses testifying in final day of Barrett's confirmation hearing

Republicans are bringing supporters of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to testify, while Democrats call on advocates for issues they believe are threatened by Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court.
by Brian Naylor

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Colder and still windy for Thursday

Much of Minnesota is beginning Thursday below freezing, and it stays cold and breezy throughout the day.
by Nicole Mitchell

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House passes $1.8 billion public works borrowing bill

After months of stalemate, the Minnesota House on Wednesday night passed a $1.8 billion package of construction projects that would be funded mostly by the sale of state bonds.  This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, October 15, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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With debate canceled, Trump and Biden appear in dueling town halls

With debate canceled, Trump and Biden appear in dueling town halls

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden appeared on two different news networks at the same hour for town hall-style events, in lieu of what had originally been a scheduled debate. 
by NPR Staff

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Underestimating these 'Maids' is a fatal mistake

Underestimating these 'Maids' is a fatal mistake

Katie Skelly's uncanny new graphic novel retells the real-life story of sisters Christine and Léa Papin, who were working as maids when they brutally murdered their employers.
by Etelka Lehoczky

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Takeaways from Amy Coney Barrett's judiciary confirmation hearings

Takeaways from Amy Coney Barrett's judiciary confirmation hearings

President Donald Trump's nominee deflected answering most questions, citing precedent that she can't weigh in on issues she may rule on. Weeks before the election Democrats largely honed in on health care.
by Deirdre Walsh

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When false information goes viral, COVID-19 patient groups fight back

When false information goes viral, COVID-19 patient groups fight back

Health communication experts say that misinformation spread through support groups can undermine trust in medicine and science. But some patients work to counter falsehoods with facts.
by Alex Smith

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Judge in George Floyd case: No restrictions on public access to evidence

Judge in George Floyd case: No restrictions on public access to evidence

The judge in the case of four ex-police officers charged in George Floyd's killing will not restrict access to evidence and motions, a move that had been sought by prosecutors.
by Jon Collins

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Biden announces record $383 million September haul

Biden announces record $383 million September haul

The total is a record-breaking one-month sum, topping its August record of $364.5 million. The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have not released September numbers yet.
by Amita Kelly

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House passes $1.8 billion public works borrowing bill

House passes $1.8 billion public works borrowing bill

The Minnesota Senate is the next and maybe last hurdle for a $1.8 billion package of construction projects. The House passed the bill Wednesday night after a lengthy debate.
by Brian Bakst

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Facebook and Twitter limit sharing New York Post story about Joe Biden

Facebook and Twitter limit sharing New York Post story about Joe Biden

The social media companies said they wanted to slow the spread of possibly false information. But their actions drew charges of censorship from President Donald Trump and his allies.
by Shannon Bond

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