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Stories from November 12, 2020

Mosque attacker testifies against alleged ringleader of 2017 firebombing

Mosque attacker testifies against alleged ringleader of 2017 firebombing

In response to questions from a prosecutor, 31-year-old Michael McWhorter testified that he drove with 49-year-old Michael Hari and 25-year-old Joe Morris more than 500 miles from their home in Illinois to attack the Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center.
by Matt Sepic

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After court ruling, few Minnesotans risked late ballots

After court ruling, few Minnesotans risked late ballots

Fewer than 2,500 voters had ballots come in after Election Day. It followed an urgent push to get them in after a court’s late ruling that they would be set aside.
by Brian Bakst

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'You can see the regret': ICU nurse on patients who failed to take COVID precautions

'You can see the regret': ICU nurse on patients who failed to take COVID precautions

Lydia Mobley is a traveling ICU nurse who is currently working at a hospital in central Michigan. She describes how hard it's been treating patients during the current surge in coronavirus cases.
by Audie Cornish

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Controversial Minn. pipeline project wins key approvals

Minnesota environmental regulators issued several key permits Thursday that just about clear the way for Enbridge Energy to build its controversial Line 3 oil pipeline. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency both approved permits for the Line 3 project. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Nov. 12, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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State regulators approve Line 3 permits; move pipeline closer to construction

State regulators approve Line 3 permits; move pipeline closer to construction

An Enbridge spokesperson said only that the company would begin construction once it has all approvals in hand, but a union official whose members plan to work on the project said they expect construction to begin in the next month.
by Dan Kraker

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The Twin Cities gets its first-ever 'snow squall warning'

The snow Thursday remained light, but visibility dropped enough to still create travel concerns. After a cold and quiet Friday, another storms brings a rain and snow mix over the weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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How to holiday: A guide to navigating Thanksgiving and COVID-19

How to holiday: A guide to navigating Thanksgiving and COVID-19

Minnesota is seeing its worst COVID-19 numbers since the start of the pandemic — just in time for the winter holiday season. As the state clamps down on large gatherings and social settings, many Minnesotans are wondering where that leaves their holiday traditions. 
by John Enger

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As COVID-19 takes dire turn, Minn. lawmakers avoid clash

As COVID-19 takes dire turn, Minn. lawmakers avoid clash

The Legislature convened and adjourned a special session without taking a vote to reel back Gov. Tim Walz’s executive powers. It followed news of another record day of COVID-19 infections.
by Brian Bakst and Tim Pugmire

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What a divided Congress could mean for Biden's climate agenda

What a divided Congress could mean for Biden's climate agenda

A former Republican Congressman says there’s agreement on clean energy and green jobs. He’s urging President-elect Joe Biden to focus on “durable” bipartisan legislation over executive orders that could be overturned.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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Fever, symptom screening misses many coronavirus cases

Fever, symptom screening misses many coronavirus cases

New research confirms that temperature and symptom checks miss many coronavirus infections. The work has implications for colleges, prisons, meatpacking plants and and other places that rely on symptom screening. Doctors say more COVID-19 testing is needed, especially in younger people who often don't develop symptoms.
by The Associated Press

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9 injured in fiery pileup crash during snow squall on Interstate 94

9 injured in fiery pileup crash during snow squall on Interstate 94

A fiery pileup crash involving nearly 30 vehicles along Interstate 94 in central Minnesota on Thursday morning sent nine people to local hospitals and closed a stretch of the freeway for hours.
by Andrew Krueger

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Virus surge: Schools abandon classes, states retreat

Virus surge: Schools abandon classes, states retreat

School systems in Detroit, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and suburban Minneapolis are giving up on in-person classes, and some governors, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are reimposing restrictions on bars and restaurants or getting more serious about masks.
by The Associated Press

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Can local music venues keep on rocking through the pandemic?

Can local music venues keep on rocking through the pandemic?

Across the country, music venues are closing, shuttered due to the financial pressures and social distancing requirements of the pandemic. So what’s next for Minnesota’s local music venues — including the iconic First Avenue? How have they pivoted to endure the pandemic? Guest host and MPR News reporter Brandt Williams talks with two guests with insight into the industry.
by Brandt Williams and Katie Moritz

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Michael Osterholm speaks at St. Olaf College on facing winter of 'COVID hell'

Michael Osterholm speaks at St. Olaf College on facing winter of 'COVID hell'

Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, took questions from staff, students and alumni of St. Olaf College during a virtual event on Tuesday.
by MPR News Staff

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Mike Osterholm speaks at St. Olaf College on facing winter of 'COVID hell'

Mike Osterholm speaks at St. Olaf College on facing winter of 'COVID hell'

Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, took questions from staff, students and alumni of St. Olaf College during a virtual event on Tuesday.
by MPR News Staff

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Former President Obama tells his story his way — and makes his case for history

Former President Obama tells his story his way — and makes his case for history

Former President Barack Obama's ascent thrilled millions but also stirred a countermovement that is still on the march. His new memoir, “A Promised Land,” covers his rise through the second year of his presidency.
by Ron Elving

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Dems, GOP take different approaches on Georgia Senate blitz

Dems, GOP take different approaches on Georgia Senate blitz

Republicans need one of the Georgia seats for a majority. Democrats must win both to yield a 50-50 Senate, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris then holding the tie-breaking vote.
by The Associated Press

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Biden moves forward without help from Trump's intel team

Biden moves forward without help from Trump's intel team

President-elect Joe Biden says he’s not worried that President Donald Trump has broken with tradition by not letting him read the ultra-secret daily brief containing the nation’s most sensitive intelligence before inauguration. Biden says he can't make national security decisions yet anyway so he doesn't need it.
by The Associated Press

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Snow squalls disrupt travel into Thursday afternoon

Snow squalls disrupt travel into Thursday afternoon

A period of heavy snow and extremely low visibilities can be expected as snow squalls move across eastern Minnesota during the late morning and early afternoon hours.
by Ron Trenda

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A burst of snow Thursday, then weekend rain

Behind a cold front, snow and chillier temperatures spread across Minnesota Thursday. A weekend storm brings rain and snow chances.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Virus surge engulfs U.S. with millions of new cases

Virus surge engulfs U.S. with millions of new cases

Across the U.S., over 10.3 million cases have been recorded. Cases per day are now on the rise in 49 states, and deaths per day are climbing in 39.
by The Associated Press

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A quick round of snow for Thursday

Behind a cold front, Minnesota sees chilly temperatures Thursday along with areas of light snow.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Is it safe yet to fly during the pandemic?

Is it safe yet to fly during the pandemic?

Public health experts say staying home is best to keep yourself and others safe from infection. But if you're thinking about flying for the holidays, you should know what to expect. Flights are getting more crowded and more airlines plan to stop blocking seats to accommodate the growing number of people taking to the skies again.
by The Associated Press

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Another special session for Minnesota lawmakers

Lawmakers will decide whether to extend Gov. Walz’s peacetime emergency powers by another 30 days, as the state sees a surge in COVID-19 cases.  This is an MPR News morning update for November 12, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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ChangeMaker: Maggie Lorenz, preserving cultural heritage through land conservation

ChangeMaker: Maggie Lorenz, preserving cultural heritage through land conservation

Maggie Lorenz, 37, is the head of Lower Phalen Creek Project and the director of the Wakan Tipi Center. She hopes that future generations will have access to “places like Wakan Tipi Center where they can come together with community and fully be themselves as Dakota and Anishinaabe people in Minnesota.”
by Christine T. Nguyen

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The cider-sipping, mitten-wearing guide to 2020 holiday movies

The cider-sipping, mitten-wearing guide to 2020 holiday movies

We've got the goods on a large number of movies coming to cable and streaming over the holiday season, complete with notes to help you find the ones that are right up your alley.
by Linda Holmes

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Art Hounds explores art 'Out of the Box'

Art Hounds explores art 'Out of the Box'

Art Hounds explores an interactive theater-in-your-home production for kids, an interactive “outstellation” at Modus Locus, and public art by Winona’s Creative Laureate.
by Emily Bright

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Pfizer CEO sold millions in stock after coronavirus vaccine news, raising questions

Pfizer CEO sold millions in stock after coronavirus vaccine news, raising questions

Pfizer's CEO sold $5.6 million worth of stock on Monday. The company says the stock sale was made as part of a preset plan. But NPR found irregularities about when the CEO entered into that plan.
by Tom Dreisbach

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The census is not over: What's ahead during the Biden transition

The census is not over: What's ahead during the Biden transition

The legal fight continues over whether President Donald Trump can alter numbers that set up the next Electoral College map, and there's a question of whether Congress will give more time for quality checks.
by Hansi Lo Wang

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U.S. nuclear lab partnering with Xcel to produce hydrogen

U.S. nuclear lab partnering with Xcel to produce hydrogen

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded just under $14 million for an attempt to build a hydrogen-energy production facility at a nuclear power plant in Minnesota with the help of a research lab in Idaho.
by The Associated Press

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