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Stories from December 24, 2020

At the Vatican, a Christmas Eve Mass shaped by the pandemic

At the Vatican, a Christmas Eve Mass shaped by the pandemic

Only 100 or so people attended the service, and they wore masks and socially distanced. The Mass began two hours early so all could make it home before Italy's virus curfew.
by Laurel Wamsley

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NFL honors Curtis Flowers, a Mississippi man freed after 22 years in prison

NFL honors Curtis Flowers, a Mississippi man freed after 22 years in prison

The NFL says players are wearing helmet decals this season “to honor victims of systemic racism, victims of police misconduct and social justice heroes.” Curtis Flowers says he is “blessed” by the honor.
by The Associated Press

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Minnesota high school bans Steinbeck, Watson novellas

A Minnesota high school has ordered instructors to stop teaching students about two novellas in the wake of complaints about their content.
by The Associated Press

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After major storm, Minnesota roads still expected to be treacherous for holiday travel

After blizzard conditions and sub-zero temperatures blanketed most of the state, the State Patrol says driving will remain a challenge over the holiday weekend. Also, Minnesota has reached another difficult marker in the COVID-19 pandemic: more than 5,000 deaths. This is an MPR News afternoon update for Dec. 24, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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Year of pandemic has been a baptism by fire for COVID-19 contact tracer

Year of pandemic has been a baptism by fire for COVID-19 contact tracer

It's been a baptism by fire for one recent college graduate, who was thrust into the midst of the pandemic this year as a contact tracer, while she was still in school.
by Dan Gunderson

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'Time to leave Brexit behind': EU and U.K. agree to last-minute trade deal

'Time to leave Brexit behind': EU and U.K. agree to last-minute trade deal

The agreement comes a week before the Brexit transition period ends. The pact averts a worst-case divorce that would have hurt the EU economy but damaged the British economy even more.
by Frank Langfitt

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Blizzard snow totals, plus your updated Christmas forecast

Who won the “golden shovel” award from our Wednesday blizzard? We answer that question, and take a look at your Christmas forecast.
by Ron Trenda

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Best TV of 2020: Great shows brought us together in a difficult, distanced year

Best TV of 2020: Great shows brought us together in a difficult, distanced year

COVID-19 precautions kept us physically apart, but Fresh Air TV critic David Bianculli says shows such as “Schitt's Creek,” “Better Call Saul,” “Fargo” and “Lovecraft Country” provided virtual connection.
by David Bianculli

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Correctional facilities are COVID-19 hot spots. Why don't they get vaccine priority?

Correctional facilities are COVID-19 hot spots. Why don't they get vaccine priority?

Prisons, jails and detention centers have much higher coronavirus case and fatality rates than the general public. But attitudes toward inmates mean bank tellers may get vaccinated before they do.
by Ari Shapiro and Becky Sullivan

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MSU Mankato addresses hunger on campus with free groceries now, food pantry in the spring

MSU Mankato addresses hunger on campus with free groceries now, food pantry in the spring

As COVID-19 continues to exacerbate the needs of people in Minnesota, including food access and hunger, those problems can also be found on college campuses. At Minnesota State University, Mankato, the college is stepping in to feed its students.
by Hannah Yang

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Snow and wind reports from around the region

Snow and wind reports from around the region

Snow and wind reports from around Minnesota and neighboring states, for Wednesday’s blizzard.
by MPR News Staff

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Host of The Daily clouds NY Times' effort to restore trust after Caliphate

Host of The Daily clouds NY Times' effort to restore trust after Caliphate

The New York Times issued a big mea culpa, and returned a Peabody award and a citation as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize after retracting the core of its hit podcast series Caliphate.
by David Folkenflik

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GOP blocks $2,000 checks as Trump leaves COVID aid in chaos

GOP blocks $2,000 checks as Trump leaves COVID aid in chaos

House Republicans shot down a Democratic bid on Thursday to pass President Donald Trump's longshot, end-of-session demand for $2,000 direct payments to most Americans before signing a long-overdue COVID-19 relief bill.
by The Associated Press

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Africa CDC: New virus variant appears to emerge in Nigeria

Another new variant of the coronavirus appears to have emerged in Nigeria, Africa's top public health official said Thursday, but he added that further investigation was needed.
by The Associated Press

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Extreme cold Thursday, then milder on Christmas Day

In the wake of Wednesday’s crippling snowstorm, dangerous cold has spread across the state.  However, temperatures rebound by Christmas Day and stay seasonable through the holiday weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Thursday stays dangerously cold all day

In the wake of Wednesday’s crippling snowstorm, arctic air has spread across Minnesota. Combined with lingering winds, wind chills stay brutally cold through the day.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Practical advice we turned to to get us through the pandemic in 2020

Practical advice we turned to to get us through the pandemic in 2020

Navigating life in 2020 hasn’t been easy, and as we prepare to welcome the new year, the pandemic will continue to force us to adapt and find solutions to the disruption.
by Angela Davis

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Vaccines not arriving in MN as quickly as hoped

State infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann says several providers are anticipating they’ll see delays in receiving Moderna vaccines. Wednesday’s winter storm did not help. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, December 24, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Sauk Centre offers COVID-19 hospital workers a show of support

Sauk Centre offers COVID-19 hospital workers a show of support

Last month, the CentraCare health system in central Minnesota announced it would shift its hospital in Sauk Centre to caring almost exclusively for patients with COVID-19. It was a big change for health care workers and residents of the close-knit town.
by Kirsti Marohn

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COVID-19 relief bill could stave off historic wave of evictions

COVID-19 relief bill could stave off historic wave of evictions

A rental assistance program in the bill is key for helping millions of struggling renters at risk of losing their homes in the middle of winter as the pandemic rages on.
by Chris Arnold

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In blizzard's wake, bitter cold grips Minnesota

In blizzard's wake, bitter cold grips Minnesota

Blowing snow will continue to re-cover roadways that may have been cleared by plows. Travel conditions will remain dangerous across Minnesota into early Thursday. Meanwhile, a wind chill advisory is in effect for most of Minnesota through the morning.
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota author Peter Geye on ‘Northernmost’

Minnesota author Peter Geye on ‘Northernmost’

Novelist Peter Geye described the inspiration behind his family saga, the undercurrent of angst within relationships and how time forces us to reflect on the legacies we leave behind.
by Kerri Miller

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'Trusted messengers, trusted messages': How to overcome vaccine hesitancy

'Trusted messengers, trusted messages': How to overcome vaccine hesitancy

As the first COVID-19 vaccines begin to be rolled out across the U.S., community leaders in diverse groups already are working hard to dispel misinformation and reach skeptics with the truth.
by Fran Kritz

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The Minnesota roots of Pixar's 'Soul'

The Minnesota roots of Pixar's 'Soul'

Both co-directors of Pixar’s latest movie have Minnesota connections. It’s the story of a jazz musician’s struggle to get back to Earth after a fatal accident just minutes after getting a gig he’s been seeking his entire life. Like previous Pixar films, it works both on a child and adult level, and both Pete Docter and Kemp Powers say there is a certain amount of Minnesota in the film.
by Euan Kerr

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Millions of Christmas gifts may arrive late due to overload at the Postal Service

Millions of Christmas gifts may arrive late due to overload at the Postal Service

"We're really busy. It's been unbearable," sighed Manny Huenchunir, a Postal Service truck driver who was unloading and reloading crates of mail at a post office outside Boston on Tuesday night.
by Tovia Smith

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Photos: Major winter storm brings heavy winds, snow

Photos: Major winter storm brings heavy winds, snow

A major winter storm brought strong winds and heavy snow Wednesday. Here are some photos from around the Twin Cities, which was included in the blizzard warnings.
by MPR News Staff

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2-year-old dies after being shot in St. Paul

The child was found in an apartment on Rice Street with an apparent gunshot wound, and died in an ambulance nearby.
by MPR News Staff

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Trump pardons former campaign chairman Paul Manafort

Trump pardons former campaign chairman Paul Manafort

President Trump has issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law. Also receiving a pardon is Roger Stone, another longtime Trump associate caught up in the probe of Russia and the Trump campaign.
by The Associated Press

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