Stories from November 13, 2020

Wolves preying on beavers in Minnesota reshape wetlands
When a lone beaver dies, its dam soon collapses. Scientists studying gray wolves in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park have traced how wolves preying on beavers affect the ecosystem by impeding the ability of beavers to build and maintain new dams that create wetlands.
In effort to better serve Black customers, Target taps north Mpls. clothing designer
When the Target store on Lake Street in Minneapolis was damaged and shuttered during the unrest this summer, the company saw an opportunity. It set out to create a store that felt “overtly welcoming” to Black shoppers.
The Minneapolis City Council voted Friday to allow officers from outside law enforcement agencies to help the city's police department respond to an uptick in crime. Also, the three deadliest COVID-19 reporting days occurred this week. This is an MPR News afternoon update for Nov. 13, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Ways Minnesotans can help others during the holiday season
COVID-19 cases are reaching new peaks in the state, and many Minnesotans are still unemployed. The pandemic is still affecting thousands of people. If you are looking for places to donate to, or are looking for help, here is a list of nonprofits and organizations working across the state.
Revisiting the life of Jamar Clark, 5 years after his death
Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Jamar Clark. On Nov. 15, 2015, the unarmed 24-year-old was shot and killed in a confrontation with two Minneapolis police officers. Host Angela Davis spoke with Clark’s birth mother and a racial justice activist to examine what has changed in the past five years.
A pandemic winter is a great time to start a new hobby
Three people who have turned hobbies and crafts into careers joined host Angela Davis to talk about the benefits of indoor hobbies and how to get started if you want to try something new.
ChangeMakers: Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor
Peggy Flanagan, 41, is the first Indigenous person elected to executive office in Minnesota’s 162-year history. She started her political career in 2004, being elected to the Minneapolis School Board, before becoming a state representative and sharing a ticket with Gov. Tim Walz in 2018.
Trump wins North Carolina; speaks publicly for the first time since Biden's victory
President Donald Trump has won North Carolina and its 15 electoral votes, staving off a hard-fought challenge by Democratic nominee Joe Biden and holding the battleground state for Republicans. The president is expected to give an update on the pandemic Friday afternoon, speaking for the first time since Joe Biden became president-elect.
The pandemic this week: 8 things to know about the surge
With record cases and hospitalizations and newly rising deaths, experts wonder, will this surge ever slow down? Find out where the virus is hitting hardest and what is being done to stop it.
With Biden ahead, Georgia begins hand recount of nearly 5 million ballots
"We don't want to be in a hurry and a rush because we want a very methodical process," said one election official as some Republicans continue leveling unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the election.
Timeline: How the president-elect becomes the president
Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 election. While President Trump has challenged the results, Biden's inauguration is still expected Jan. 20. Here's what happens between now and then.
Minneapolis City Council approves police staffing proposal
The Minneapolis City Council narrowly approved a $500,000 measure Friday that will add emergency staffing to the city’s Police Department. The city will get help from Hennepin County sheriff's deputies and Metro Transit police officers.
Booksellers of color lift up diverse voices
Host Kerri Miller talks to three bookshop owners about their recommendations for building empathy through reading.
Officials say an apparent steam explosion in a maintenance building at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Connecticut killed two people and left a third missing.
Overwhelmed by cases, health departments struggle to trace virus' spread
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, testing and tracing have been two key parts of the state's strategy for slowing the spread of the virus. Now, more people are getting tested than ever before. But as COVID-19 cases surge, the contact tracing side of that equation is getting overwhelmed.
Minnesota Hindus light up the dark days of COVID-19 with Diwali celebrations at home
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way people connect. This Diwali, Hindus in Minnesota are experimenting with technology to connect with their community and their traditions. The community’s hope: to keep the light shining in dark times.
After a chilly start Friday, temperatures return close to average by Saturday. The weekend also brings another round of light rain and snow.
Crews battle fire at historic Archer House in Northfield
Firefighters remained at the scene of a fire that damaged Northfield's historic Archer House River Inn, KARE 11 reports. The fire started around 4 p.m. Thursday.
Parts of Minnesota are starting Friday with their coldest morning so far this season, and temperatures remain below average all day.
Bars and restaurants will be required to end in-person service at 10 p.m., though they'll still be allowed to offer takeout and delivery after. Social gatherings will also be limited. The new rules are aimed at tamping down the spread of COVID-19. This is an MPR News morning update for November 13, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Vaccine could unlock trillions in spending, leading to 'Biden boom'
Pent-up demand from households that have been cooped up over the last eight months could drive a spending boom in the spring, providing a big boost to the economy.
After days of silence, China congratulates Biden and Harris
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry offered congratulations at his regular daily briefing. China had been one of the last major nations to hold out recognizing Joe Biden will be the next president.
Nov. 13 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases, deaths climb; Walz signals more curbs coming
Gov. Tim Walz indicated more restrictions on daily life may be needed as the pandemic continues to rage in Minnesota, with the worst still to come. “I think more changes will probably have to happen,” he said Friday.
New Minneapolis NAACP president 'fueled by love'
Angela Rose Myers knows she is taking on the job during an exceptionally difficult time in history.
COVID-19 crashes Minnesota wedding plans
As COVID-19 cases in Minnesota have climbed, Gov. Tim Walz has put into place new restrictions on large gatherings, including weddings. For Minnesotans who’ve been planning weddings, or who work in the industry, it’s one more change in an already tumultuous year.
Top officials: Nov. 3 election most secure in U.S. history
A coalition of federal and state officials say they have no evidence that votes were compromised or altered in last week’s presidential election, rejecting unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud advanced by President Donald Trump and many of his supporters.