Stories from October 23, 2020

Battleground postal delays persist with mail voting underway
U.S. Postal Service records show delivery delays have persisted across the country as millions of Americans are voting by mail, raising the possibility of ballots being rejected because they arrive too late. Parts of the presidential battleground states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio are missing delivery goals by wide margins as the agency struggles to regain its footing after a tumultuous summer.
Another shot of (light) snow ahead for Sunday
Saturday looks quiet but chilly. Sunday brings more snow to southern Minnesota.
Man arrested in N.C. had plan to kill Joe Biden, feds say
Alexander Hillel Treisman, 19, was indicted on child pornography charges. Federal agents presented evidence suggesting he was obsessed with mass shootings — and drove within 4 miles of Biden's home.
Will FDA heed its outside experts' advice on COVID-19 vaccines?
A panel of doctor and scientists raised questions about the expedited regulatory path the Food and Drug Administration is considering for COVID-19 vaccines.
Federal prosecutors Friday announced criminal charges against a Texas man and says he has ties to the “Boogaloo Bois”. Ivan Hunter, 26, allegedly traveled from Texas to Minneapolis with the intent to riot in May following the police killing of George Floyd. This is your afternoon update for Oct. 23, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Nearly 1.2 million Minnesotans have already voted
Early voting continued on a record pace over the past week in Minnesota and more ballots are likely to be cast before Nov. 3.
Appeals court rules 2nd District race should proceed
A three-judge panel declined to place a stay on voters from deciding the race between Democratic Rep. Angie Craig and Republican Tyler Kistner in November. The litigation arises from the death of a third-party candidate.
Feds charge alleged 'Boogaloo Bois' member with rioting in Floyd protests
A federal criminal complaint alleges Ivan Harrison Hunter, 26, of Boerne, Texas, was identified as the person in a May 28 video shooting 13 rounds from an “AK-47 style semiautomatic rifle” into the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building after it was overrun.
A cold and unseasonably snowy week in Minnesota
Wide swaths of Minnesota saw record daily snowfall totals this week — and there’s more snow in the forecast for this weekend. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley about the early-season snow.
Matt Blair, star linebacker for Vikings, dies at 70
The Minnesota Vikings say Matt Blair, one of the great linebackers in team history, has died. Drafted in the second round out of Iowa State in 1974, Blair played all 12 of his NFL seasons for the Vikings, from 1974 to 1985.
Another snowstorm targets Minnesota over the weekend
A few lingering light snow showers remain Friday behind Thursday’s snowstorm. It also remains mostly cloudy and cold.
Tribal leaders urge caution as COVID-19 cases surge
In the past month, the number of COVID-19 cases among Native Americans in Minnesota has grown by 75 percent. As a result, tribal leaders across Minnesota are pleading with community members to take precautions to slow the spread of the virus.
MPR News congressional debates: 7th District and 8th District
The candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s 7th and 8th districts debated the major issues, on Politics Friday with host Mike Mulcahy.
A few light snow showers remain Friday behind Thursday’s snowstorm. Mostly cloudy and cold conditions continue.
The saliva testing program launched Thursday in two dozen counties and tribal nations, allowing residents to order and return COVID-19 tests by mail. MPR News morning update for October 23, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Former Chisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan has pleaded guilty to harassment and misconduct by a public official for stalking and harassing a female employee.
Talking Volumes: A conversation with Sarah Broom
Kerri Miller hosts a conversation with award-winning author Sarah Broom about her book “The Yellow House.”
Researchers find doubts about COVID-19 vaccine among people of color
At a series of listening sessions, participants voiced worries that the development of a COVID-19 vaccine is being politicized and rushed. Public health experts are taking vaccine hesitancy seriously.
Trump and Biden had a real debate, and 4 other takeaways
The final debate showed candidates far apart on issues like health care, climate change and criminal justice. Trump tried to focus on alleged corruption, but the pandemic remains 2020's central issue.
Oct. 23 update on COVID-19 in MN: 13 more deaths, record hospitalizations
The newest numbers come at the end of a week where Minnesota’s COVID-19 data continued to head in the wrong direction. “There is more disease out there, and not just because we’re doing more testing,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters Friday.
Judge’s ruling paves the way for Floyd case to proceed
While Thursday’s headlines focused on the dropping of a third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin, some legal experts say the bigger takeaway from the 107-page ruling is that the trial against all four officers can move forward. 
Despite pullbacks, Trump team says Minnesota still in its sights
President Donald Trump has been saying for years he wants to win Minnesota, but with just over a week to go until Election Day, it appears he is walking back that goal. Until Friday, that is, when the campaign said it would increase ad spending and put a new focus on the state in the closing days of the race.
Trump, Biden go after each other on coronavirus, taxes
President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden offered sharply different visions of how to handle the surging pandemic and fought over how much Trump pays in taxes during their final debate of a tumultuous campaign.
ACLU: Minnesota failing to protect inmates from COVID-19
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is suing the state, alleging prison officials have not taken adequate precautions to protect inmates from COVID-19.