Stories from December 3, 2020

New research into Alzheimer’s disease and dementia 
What’s new with Alzheimer’s disease research? Two dementia investigators talk about racial disparities, sleep and a blood test that may tell you if you could someday be at risk. 
A handful of Minneapolis businesses established a fund they hope would help avoid cuts to the city’s police department. The announcement Thursday came as the city council began discussing whether to approve an amendment that would move nearly $8 million from next year’s police budget to other programs designed to reduce officers’ workload. This is your MPR News afternoon update for Dec. 3, 2020. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Deadline looms for Minnesotans to seek COVID-19 housing aid
Minnesota officials are urging residents who have fallen behind on their rent, mortgage or utility payments amid the coronavirus pandemic to apply for state aid before a looming Monday night deadline.
In his final weeks, Trump could dole out many pardons to friends, allies
The president could shield his allies from some prosecution. Critics say Trump is trying to help cronies — and maybe himself — escape accountability.
Eddie Benton-Banai, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, dies at 89
Eddie Benton-Banai co-founded the American Indian Movement and founded the Red School House, a St. Paul community school focused on Indigenous education. Benton-Banai was Anishanaabe Ojibwe from the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. He died in Hayward, Wis., on Monday.
Shaking up your quarantine cooking habits
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with New York Times food columnist and cookbook author Melissa Clark for ideas to spice up our quarantine cooking as the days get colder and darker.
Facebook bans debunked claims about COVID-19 vaccines
The new ban is an expansion of the social network's rules against misinformation that could lead to imminent physical harm. It comes as governments prepare to roll out the first vaccinations.
Wisconsin Supreme Court declines to hear Trump election lawsuit
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear President Donald Trump’s lawsuit attempting to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the battleground state, saying the case must first wind its way through lower courts.
There isn’t any weather drama in the weekend forecast. Temps and winds look reasonable for early December, and any flakes will be minimal.
Ivanka Trump deposed in inauguration fund lawsuit
President Donald Trump's eldest daughter gave a deposition this week in connection with the suit, being heard in a Washington, D.C. court. She condemned the investigation on Twitter.
'Time' names its Kid of the Year: water-testing scientist Gitanjali Rao
Rao, a Colorado teenager who has won praise for her innovation in detecting lead levels in water, said, "I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it."
Questions remain in St. Paul police shooting of Black man
A St. Paul officer who shot and wounded a Black man who was being sought by police when the man emerged naked from a dumpster was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself, according to his attorney.
The recent mild and uneventful pattern Minnesota has been stuck under stays in place through at least late next week.
Statewide sunshine returns Thursday, along with temperatures that are warm for December.
Trump seriously considering 2024 run as he continues false 2020 claims
Three sources in President Donald Trump's orbit tell NPR he is considering running for a second term as president in 2024. Trump himself alluded to it at a private party this week.
Top Democrats back off demands for larger COVID-19 bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are breaking from their demand for more than $2 trillion in coronavirus relief spending to move toward a compromise.
Once again, public safety and the Minneapolis Police Department’s budget dominated a public hearing on the mayor’s proposed 2021 budget.  The Wednesday evening hearing was the second of three opportunities for the public to weigh in and this time more than 400 people signed up to speak. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 3, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. Take our listener survey here: http://mprnews.org/minnesotatoday
In marathon public hearing, hundreds weigh in on proposed cuts to Minneapolis police
More than 400 people signed up to speak at the Wednesday evening hearing, the second of three opportunities for the public to provide input. Last week, three council members introduced a proposal to move $7.9 million from the police budget to fund a nonpolice 911 mental health crisis response function and expand the city’s Violence Prevention Program and neighborhood safety organizing programs.
Authorities: Small plane crash-lands on Minnesota interstate
A single-engine Bellanca Viking plane crash-landed and hit a vehicle on northbound Interstate 35W in Arden Hills Wednesday night, authorities said. No injuries were reported.
Dec. 3 update Latest on COVID-19 in MN: 92 more deaths add to grim 7-day toll
About 1 in 3 recent Minnesota deaths are tied to COVID-19. The latest numbers come as officials brace for another expected wave of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in coming weeks originating from Thanksgiving gatherings.
U.S. hits 100,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations; more than 3,100 deaths
Data from the COVID Tracking Project show 100,226 people were hospitalized Wednesday, while Johns Hopkins reports 3,157 deaths — a new one-day record.
Trump allies discourage Georgia residents from voting in January runoff
Some Georgia Republicans have continued the president's crusade to seek to have the state's election results overturned following Donald Trump's White House loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Art Hounds: Pandemic portraits in Winona
Plus a new jazz album from the High School for Recording Arts and jewelry by St. Paul artisan Peter Mielech.