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Stories from December 21, 2020

Air Force: Blacks are more likely investigated, disciplined

Air Force: Blacks are more likely investigated, disciplined

A new report on racial disparities in the Air Force concludes that Black service members in the service are far more likely to be investigated, arrested, face disciplinary actions, and be discharged for misconduct. 
by The Associated Press

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Congress takes aim at climate change in massive relief bill

Congress takes aim at climate change in massive relief bill

The huge pandemic relief and spending bill includes billions of dollars to promote clean energy such as wind and solar power. It also calls for a 15-year reduction in the use of potent coolants in air conditioners and refrigerators that are considered a major driver of global warming. 
by The Associated Press

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Second FDA-authorized vaccine heading to Minnesota in days

A second COVID-19 vaccine is expected to start arriving in the state within days, after Friday's emergency authorization by federal officials. Like the Pfizer vaccine that Minnesotans started receiving last week, the Moderna vaccine requires two shots weeks apart. This is the MPR News evening update for Dec. 21, 2020. Hosted by Nancy Lebens. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by MPR News Staff

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Minneapolis police officers cleared in shooting of armed man

Minneapolis police officers cleared in shooting of armed man

Eight Minneapolis police officers who fired their guns that killed an armed man outside a home during a domestic disturbance and one officer who fired a nonlethal round have been cleared of wrongdoing, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Monday.
by Brandt Williams and The Associated Press

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Ep. 3: A Christmas special to spread holiday cheer

Ep. 3: A Christmas special to spread holiday cheer

Welcome to the Warming House's first Christmas special, featuring Minnesota’s own Emmy Award-winning Louie Anderson’s special reading, our weekly relationship advice segment, holiday edition, with The Current’s Sanni Brown, a list of holiday lights displays across Minnesota and more!
by Nina Moini, Sean McPherson and Tiffany Hanssen

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Putin and Biden signal chilly relations to come

Putin and Biden signal chilly relations to come

As the president-elect vows to get tough on Moscow, analysts say Russia's leader wants to show he'll take the fight to Washington — and his congratulations delay was just the latest sign.
by Lucian Kim

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Justice Dept. charges bombmaker in 1988 Pan Am explosion

Justice Dept. charges bombmaker in 1988 Pan Am explosion

The Justice Department announced new charges Monday against a Libyan bombmaker in the 1988 explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, an attack that killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground.
by The Associated Press

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Here is what's in Congress' COVID-19 relief package

Here is what's in Congress' COVID-19 relief package

From direct payments for American households to mass transit, the congressional relief package contains money for individuals and institutions affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But there's more.
by Brian Naylor

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Why reading classics matters

Why reading classics matters

Classic literature is more than dusty tomes from the past. It informs our sense of identity and, in many cases, builds foundational values. Here are a few books you might have missed during your education.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Barr undercuts Trump on election and Hunter Biden inquiries

Barr undercuts Trump on election and Hunter Biden inquiries

Outgoing Attorney General William Barr said he saw “no reason” to appoint a special counsel on potential election fraud or the tax investigation into the son of President-elect Joe Biden.
by The Associated Press

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EU regulator clears the way for use of Pfizer vaccine

EU regulator clears the way for use of Pfizer vaccine

If the European Commission greenlights the drug, inoculations can start across Europe. The commission's president has said she expects a decision by this evening.
by Merrit Kennedy and Laurel Wamsley

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A tender act of resistance: Caring for George Floyd’s Square

A tender act of resistance: Caring for George Floyd’s Square

In the four-block radius of where George Floyd was killed, residents and volunteers work together to keep things running at the makeshift memorial as they hold the space while pressing the city to meet their demands. Here’s how one of the caretakers describes his mission to present what he calls an “aesthetic dignity” to the space.
by Christine T. Nguyen

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The Thread: Three books to expand scientific understanding

The Thread: Three books to expand scientific understanding

For this week’s Thread: Kerri Miller finishes a series this to give more attention to authors you might not have heard about, and would be great ideas for the holiday season. If you have someone in your life who loves science, here are some your last-minute, gift-giving recommendations!
by Kerri Miller

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Contractor at Enbridge Line 3 pipeline site dies in accident

Contractor at Enbridge Line 3 pipeline site dies in accident

A contractor working on the Enbridge Energy Line 3 pipeline project in northern Minnesota died Friday in an accident. An Enbridge spokesperson said the accident happened at a construction yard in Hill City.
by The Associated Press

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Virginia removes its Robert E. Lee statue from U.S. Capitol

Virginia removes its Robert E. Lee statue from U.S. Capitol

The Confederate general's statue is expected to be replaced by one of civil rights activist Barbara Johns, who at 16 led a student walkout protesting inferior conditions at an all-Black high school.
by Merrit Kennedy

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A major storm targets Minnesota Wednesday

A major storm targets Minnesota Wednesday

The first days of winter stay above average, then a strong storm brings both snow and the coldest weather so far this season.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Winter started mild, now temperatures fall

The official start of winter was warm, but cold winds send temperatures falling for most of Minnesota during the day Monday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Highlights of $900 billion COVID-19 relief, wrap-up bills

Highlights of $900 billion COVID-19 relief, wrap-up bills

Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. The huge, still-unreleased bill is slated for votes on Monday — with lawmakers having only a few hours to read it before casting their votes.
by The Associated Press

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With winter at hand, the virus whips up winds of uncertainty

With winter at hand, the virus whips up winds of uncertainty

Even with an end in sight, Americans have an arduous trail to break before reaching it. It was winter when the pandemic began, and it will be winter long before it's over.
by The Associated Press

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Cases, positivity rate trend downward

COVID-19 statistics in Minnesota passed several encouraging milestones over the weekend: The rolling seven-day average of new cases each day dropped below 3,000; the average number of hospital admissions fell below 150 a day; and the average test positivity rate over the past week dropped below 7 percent. While those are still alarmingly high numbers, they’re levels not seen in six weeks or longer. But the positive signs came amid a mounting December death toll. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, December 21, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Explainer: Are new coronavirus strains cause for concern?

Explainer: Are new coronavirus strains cause for concern?

Reports from Britain and South Africa of new coronavirus strains that seem to spread more easily are causing alarm, but virus experts say it's unclear if that's the case or whether they pose any concern for vaccines or cause more severe disease.
by The Associated Press

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Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts on Big Island

The volcano last erupted in 2018, destroying hundreds of homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands around Hawaii's Big Island.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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Rescuing the plywood — and memorializing a movement

Rescuing the plywood — and memorializing a movement

Among those who protested the police killing of George Floyd last spring were artists who expressed their grief and anger through painting. They created hundreds of murals on the plywood that Twin Cities businesses used to protect their windows during the civil unrest. With winter on the way, two young Black women are leading a major effort to preserve the artwork.
by Matt Sepic

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Researchers find insecticides widespread in Minnesota lakes and rivers

Researchers find insecticides widespread in Minnesota lakes and rivers

A widely used class of insecticides is found at low levels in Minnesota lakes and streams, according to to research from the University of Minnesota. The potential impact on aquatic life is still to be unraveled.
by Dan Gunderson

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This holiday season, NDSU students are hacking toys so kids can play

This holiday season, NDSU students are hacking toys so kids can play

Many popular kids’ toys talk, sing or move at the push of a button — but kids who can’t physically push those buttons are often left to watch as other kids play. This year, some engineering students in Fargo, N.D., are spending their evenings adapting popular toys so kids with disabilities can enjoy their own toys.
by Dan Gunderson

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Millions of people flying despite public health pleas to stay put

Millions of people flying despite public health pleas to stay put

More than 1 million people went through checkpoints at U.S. airports on each of the past two days. That's down considerably from a year ago, but still an increase over typical pandemic travel levels.
by Matthew S. Schwartz

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Defense, play at home damage Vikings' playoff hopes

Defense, play at home damage Vikings' playoff hopes

The Vikings allowed 397 total yards, including a career-high 146 yards rushing to David Montgomery, in a 33-27 loss to the Bears on Sunday that dropped them to 6-8 and badly damaged their faint playoff hopes.
by The Associated Press

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Snow north, mix south Sunday evening into early Monday; colder midweek

Northern Minnesota will see the most snow Sunday evening into Monday, with lighter amounts to the south. We have details on that, plus a look at the week ahead, which includes some arctic chill on Thursday.
by Ron Trenda

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