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Stories from December 15, 2020

Vaccines are going into arms in Minnesota and Myon Burrell is freed

Vaccines are going into arms in Minnesota, with federal health officials administering the first doses. Also, the man convicted of killing an 11-year-old girl in Minneapolis 18 years ago is freed. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Brainerd man pleads guilty in precinct fire at Floyd protest

Brainerd man pleads guilty in precinct fire at Floyd protest

A federal complaint accuses 23-year-old Dylan Shakespeare Robinson of lighting a Molotov cocktail that another person threw toward the 3rd Precinct headquarters on May 28. 
by The Associated Press

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Hopeful sign: Midwestern states see drop in new virus cases

Hopeful sign: Midwestern states see drop in new virus cases

States including Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska have seen a decrease in the numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19. All, however, are still experiencing an alarming number of deaths and hospitalizations because of the earlier surge of cases.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota Capitol won’t spring back to normal in 2021

Minnesota Capitol won’t spring back to normal in 2021

A fence surrounding the Capitol will remain in place and many legislative activities will be conducted at a distance early and perhaps throughout next year’s session.
by Brian Bakst

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'I'm walking on thin ice here': Hospitality industry workers struggle

'I'm walking on thin ice here': Hospitality industry workers struggle

Gov. Tim Walz says he’ll announce Wednesday what's next for the bars and restaurants he shut down a month ago as a pandemic precaution. Out-of-work Minnesotans on the verge of exhausting their unemployment benefits are getting some relief. But is it enough to help the tens of thousands of hospitality workers in Minnesota who are without jobs? 
by Mark Zdechlik

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Life sentence commuted, Myon Burrell leaves Stillwater prison

Life sentence commuted, Myon Burrell leaves Stillwater prison

Myon Burrell, a man who was sentenced to life behind bars as a teenager, walked out of a Minnesota prison Tuesday to the sound of ringing bells and cheers from supporters, hours after a pardons board commuted his sentence in a high-profile murder case.
by Robin McDowell, Margie Mason and Jon Collins

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Poll: Americans are growing less reluctant to take COVID-19 vaccine

Poll: Americans are growing less reluctant to take COVID-19 vaccine

In a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 71 percent of respondents said they would definitely or probably get inoculated — a significant leap over the 63 percent who said so in an August/September poll.
by Colin Dwyer

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How to talk to your child about failing grades

How to talk to your child about failing grades

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with an editor at a national education news publication about what he’s learned about pandemic grades. A local director of student support services also joins the show to discuss how parents and caregivers can talk to their students about their grades during this difficult time.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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McConnell congratulates Joe Biden as president-elect

McConnell congratulates Joe Biden as president-elect

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated Democrat Joe Biden on Tuesday, calling him the president-elect and saying the Electoral College "has spoken."
by The Associated Press

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‘Great day’: VA starts vaccinations at Minneapolis hospital

‘Great day’: VA starts vaccinations at Minneapolis hospital

Shots are heading into arms now at the veterans hospital in Minneapolis, one of the state’s largest medical centers, and at selected hospitals across the state, bringing cheers and a bit of relief.
by Tim Nelson

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A couple rounds of light snow in the forecast

Temperatures shift from seasonable cold back to above average, making it less likely for upcoming snow to stick.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Light snow for northern Minnesota Tuesday

Temperatures turn slightly milder Tuesday, with a few snowflakes in the forecast.
by Nicole Mitchell

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U.S. vaccinations ramp up as 2nd COVID-19 shot nears

U.S. vaccinations ramp up as 2nd COVID-19 shot nears

Hundreds more U.S. hospitals are set to begin vaccinating their workers Tuesday as federal regulators issued a positive review of a second COVID-19 vaccine shot needed to boost the nation’s largest vaccination campaign.
by The Associated Press

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Which winter sports are safest to play during COVID-19?

Which winter sports are safest to play during COVID-19?

To stay physically active this winter while limiting the risk of coronavirus infections, experts suggest activities you do alone or with members of your household. That could include running, skiing and snowshoeing.
by The Associated Press

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Legislature passes COVID aid bill for businesses, workers

Minnesota lawmakers passed legislation Monday night designed to help businesses and workers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure approved in a special session includes grants to struggling small businesses and an extension of unemployment benefits for out-of-work Minnesotans.  This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Line 3 construction barrels ahead, despite efforts to block it

Line 3 construction barrels ahead, despite efforts to block it

More than 4,000 workers are expected in northern Minnesota over the next couple weeks to help build the contentious Line 3 oil pipeline replacement. At the same time, activists are escalating their efforts to block it, while law enforcement officials are trying to keep the peace.
by Dan Kraker

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Walz to keep COVID bar, restaurant curbs in place through holidays

Walz to keep COVID bar, restaurant curbs in place through holidays

Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday will announce a plan to extend his current ban on in-person bar and restaurant service through the year-end holidays, and he’ll also detail a strategy to get elementary schools back to in-person learning, an aide to the governor said Tuesday night.
by Brian Bakst and MPR News Staff

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Report: Water protection rollbacks not based on solid science

Report: Water protection rollbacks not based on solid science

A new report by a group of environmental economists says the Trump administration used flawed methodology to justify rolling back federal protections for wetlands and streams.
by Kirsti Marohn

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News outlets push for livestream of trial in Floyd case

News outlets push for livestream of trial in Floyd case

The judge in the trial of four former Minneapolis police officers has already announced plans to allow an unprecedented level of recording and livestreaming of the trial, acknowledging that space in the courtroom is limited due to the pandemic. The defendants and a coalition of media organizations are arguing for the heightened access, but prosecutors disagree.
by Jon Collins

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Federal Reserve banks focus on solutions to racism's impact on our economy

Federal Reserve banks focus on solutions to racism's impact on our economy

The Federal Reserve Banks of Minneapolis, Atlanta and Boston convened an event in November as part of a series on “Racism and the Economy.” This session focused on employment issues.
by MPR News Staff

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Legislature passes COVID aid bill for businesses, workers

Legislature passes COVID aid bill for businesses, workers

Minnesota lawmakers passed a plan that includes $216 million for businesses struggling with COVID-19 restrictions and extends unemployment benefits by 13 weeks.
by Tim Pugmire

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Minnesota Senate passes virus aid for businesses, workers

Minnesota Senate passes virus aid for businesses, workers

The Senate voted 62-4 to approve the bill and send it to the House, which was expected to pass it later Monday night and send it to the governor for his signature. 
by The Associated Press

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'He makes us love George Smiley:' Robert Harris on the legacy of John Le Carré

'He makes us love George Smiley:' Robert Harris on the legacy of John Le Carré

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with British writer Robert Harris about the legacy of John le Carré, whom he's called "one of the great post-war British novelists" and who died Saturday at age 89.
by Mary Louise Kelly

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As hospitals fear being overwhelmed by COVID-19, do the disabled get the same access?

As hospitals fear being overwhelmed by COVID-19, do the disabled get the same access?

In an Oregon hospital, a disabled woman fought for her life as her friends and advocates pleaded for proper care. Her case raises the question: Are disabled lives equally valued during a pandemic?
by Joseph Shapiro

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Crystal man charged for wounding Brooklyn Park officer

A man accused of shooting and wounding a Brooklyn Park police officer has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office says.
by The Associated Press

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No charges in fatal shooting during George Floyd unrest

No charges in fatal shooting during George Floyd unrest

Calvin Horton Jr. was found shot outside Cadillac Pawn & Jewelry on May 27 and he died at a hospital. Authorities arrested the pawn shop owner but released him without charges. Prosecutors said Monday that there's not enough evidence to prove that the shooting wasn't self-defense. 
by The Associated Press

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