Stories from December 6, 2020

A small plane crashed Sunday morning after taking off from a southern Minnesota airport, killing the pilot.
Some areas will see dense fog Sunday night and Monday. We have details on that, plus who may actually see some sunshine Monday afternoon. We also have an update on the rain/snow potential later in the week.
Vikings outlast error-prone Jaguars in overtime
The Vikings kept the playoffs well within reach with their fifth win in six games after their bye, in a game with a steady stream of gaffes by both teams.
1st doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be administered this week in the U.K.
The U.K. was the first Western country to approve Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration could vote to approve the vaccine as early as Thursday.
Minnesota ice fishing contests adapt amid pandemic
Because of restrictions on large social gatherings aimed at preventing the coronavirus’ spread, organizers of many ice fishing events are considering whether to cancel their contests — or even make them virtual events.
New highway in southern Minnesota will include passageway designed for deer
All across Minnesota, highways of concrete and asphalt cross thoroughfares of a different kind: corridors used by wildlife as they seek food and shelter. A new highway in southern Minnesota is taking that into account, in a way that’s a first for state road construction projects.
Study: Tipped service workers are more vulnerable amid pandemic harassment spike
More than half of workers surveyed said they were reluctant to enforce COVID-19 safety measures with customers from whom they would receive tips, according to the One Fair Wage study.
Minnesotan designed a smartwatch app to help stop his dad's PTSD-related nightmares
Patrick Skluzacek suffered from PTSD-related nightmares, which were ruining his life. His son, Tyler, created a smartwatch application to disrupt them. The app recently won FDA approval.
Police in Hudson, Wis., are investigating stabbings early Sunday that left one man dead and two other people injured.
Dec. 6 update on COVID-19 in MN: Death toll nears 4,000
Minnesota health officials reported another 64 COVID-19 deaths on Sunday, bringing the overall pandemic death toll in the state close to 4,000. The state also recorded another 5,588 COVID cases, pushing the total number past 350,000.
We’ll see mild (for December) temps today and tomorrow. Wednesday’s highs might qualify as warm. We have details on that, plus a look at our season snowfall so far and the possibility of flakes on Friday and Saturday.
U.K. gears up for huge vaccination plan watched by the world
Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, which will be the U.K.’s biggest ever and which is being closely watched all around the world.
Will the U.S. ever have a national COVID-19 testing strategy?
As the coronavirus epidemic worsens, U.S. health experts hope Joe Biden's administration will put in place something Donald Trump's has not — a comprehensive national testing strategy. Such a strategy, they say, could systematically check more people for infections and spot surges before they take off.
 Minnesota’s Biden electors pledge to stay on script
After a Minnesota member of the Electoral College broke ranks in 2016, state Democrats made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat in 2020. The 10 electors for Joe Biden gather at the Capitol on Dec. 14.
St. Cloud sidewalk chalk artist spreads joy with masked paintings
An artist in St. Cloud is spreading a little cheer during the COVID-19 pandemic through sidewalk chalk murals of classic paintings — with their famous subjects wearing masks.
New map lets Crow Wing County residents track snowplow progress
The web-based mapping tool, called "Where's My Snowplow,” uses GPS technology to track the county's 15 snowplows in real time and show their current locations. During a snow event, the map updates every five minutes.
Trump's legal losses come fast and furious
The Trump campaign and allied Republicans had sought to overturn results in six states. After a string of legal losses, Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that “we don't need courts," arguing state lawmakers can just declare Trump the winner.
A 19-year-old man is dead after being shot by sheriff's deputies on Saturday on northern Minnesota's Iron Range.