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Stories from January 12, 2021

Governor calls out National Guard ahead of possible unrest heading toward Biden inauguration

Governor calls out National Guard ahead of possible unrest heading toward Biden inauguration, and judge splits trials of former police officers charged in George Floyd’s death. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Wisconsin man arrested after being part of Capitol riot

Wisconsin man arrested after being part of Capitol riot

An Eau Claire, Wis., man who posted on Facebook that he was among those wanted for illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during last week’s riot has been arrested in Wisconsin and faces charges in federal court.
by The Associated Press

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Why you should still wear a mask and avoid crowds after getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Why you should still wear a mask and avoid crowds after getting the COVID-19 vaccine

It takes time after vaccination for immunity to the virus to build up, and no vaccine is 100 percent effective. Plus, scientists don't yet know if the vaccine stops viral spread. Here's what's known so far.
by Joanne Silberner

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Plowable winter storm likely Thursday and Friday

Plowable winter storm likely Thursday and Friday

Highs likely reach the 50s in southwest Minnesota Wednesday. Then, a significant winter storm looks likely for much of Minnesota Thursday and Friday.
by Paul Huttner

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Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe

Michigan plans to charge ex-Gov. Snyder in Flint water probe

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, his health director and other ex-officials have been told they’re being charged after a new investigation of the Flint water scandal, which devastated the majority Black city with lead-contaminated water and was blamed for a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2014-15, The Associated Press has learned.
by The Associated Press

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Angela Davis interviews civil rights leader and scholar Angela Davis

Angela Davis interviews civil rights leader and scholar Angela Davis

MPR News host Angela Davis interviews the woman who shares her name. Angela Davis, the civil rights leader, feminist, scholar and advocate of prison abolition talks about the turmoil in Washington, D.C., and why she still has hope America will see a more equitable society.
by Angela Davis

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How years of disinformation led to an insurrection at the Capitol

How years of disinformation led to an insurrection at the Capitol

A pandemic of disinformation overwhelmed America in 2020, some of it culminating in armed, pro-Trump extremists taking over the U.S. Capitol. How did we get here? And what can we do about it?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Trump says his comments before Capitol riot were 'totally appropriate'

Trump says his comments before Capitol riot were 'totally appropriate'

President Donald Trump denied culpability for the violence and expressed no regret for comments made last week that many have criticized as being a catalyst for mob violence at the U.S. Capitol.
by Domenico Montanaro

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Remembering pioneering adwoman Betty Burmeister

Burmeister was shaping major campaigns during the “Mad Men” era, when very few women held executive roles. She continued the work well into her 80s.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Visit to George Floyd's memorial brings Roseau family to Twin Cities — permanently

Visit to George Floyd's memorial brings Roseau family to Twin Cities — permanently

A trip to George Floyd’s memorial service more than six months ago prompted Kate Lundquist to move her whole family from their mostly white hometown of Roseau to Brooklyn Park, one of the most diverse cities in the state.
by John Enger

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Minnesota Power plans to retire Cohasset coal plant, go carbon-free by 2050

Minnesota Power plans to retire Cohasset coal plant, go carbon-free by 2050

The Duluth-based company is the second major utility in Minnesota to announce a goal of producing all its electricity from carbon-free sources by midcentury, following Xcel Energy, which was the first utility in the country to make the pledge in late 2018.
by Dan Kraker

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Chauvin to be tried separately in Floyd case

Chauvin to be tried separately in Floyd case

Citing COVID-19 restrictions, the judge overseeing the trial of four former police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd says Derek Chauvin will be tried months before the three other officers are scheduled to go on trial. 
by Jon Collins

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Storm targets Minnesota with a wintry mix

Temperatures remain very mild through Wednesday, then a late-week storm brings a wintry mix of rain, snow and freezing rain plus the return of seasonable cold.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Sheldon Adelson, conservative donor and casino titan, dies at 87

Sheldon Adelson, conservative donor and casino titan, dies at 87

Sheldon Adelson built a casino empire that stretched from Las Vegas to Singapore. His huge donations to conservative causes in the U.S. and Israel helped shape politics in both countries.
by Peter Overby

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More mild weather Tuesday

Other than a couple areas of fog, Tuesday remains fairly quiet with dry skies and highs in the 30s.
by Nicole Mitchell

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U.S. shifts to speed COVID shots as cases and deaths rise

U.S. shifts to speed COVID shots as cases and deaths rise

The Trump administration is asking states to speed delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to people 65 and older and to others at high risk by no longer holding back the second dose of the two-dose shots, officials said Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I've had the coronavirus?

Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I've had the coronavirus?

Yes. Regardless of previous infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people should plan on getting vaccinated. Vaccines are designed to bring about a more consistent and optimal immune response. And they should boost whatever preexisting immunity a person might have from an infection, experts say.
by The Associated Press and MPR News Staff

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Minneapolis police Lt. Bob Kroll moves up retirement to end of January

Minneapolis police union president Lt. Bob Kroll has announced that he will retire at the end of January, citing the impact of his job on his family. Kroll attracted support from his union, but also withering criticism and demands to leave from those who sought accountability of officers accused of brutality or were involved in fatal incidents. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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There's not a single off note in 'That Old Country Music'

There's not a single off note in 'That Old Country Music'

In his new story collection, Kevin Barry proves to be a master at evoking the landscapes of both western Ireland and the human heart; he seems to have an innate sense of why people do what they do.
by Michael Schaub

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What 1919 teaches us about pent-up demand

What 1919 teaches us about pent-up demand

A hundred years ago, a world war and a pandemic wreaked havoc on baseball and other industries. But pent-up demand helped them come roaring back.
by Greg Rosalsky

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Jan. 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Feds urge expanded vaccination; officials ask where's the vaccine

Jan. 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Feds urge expanded vaccination; officials ask where's the vaccine

Minnesota officials reacted with caution Tuesday to the federal government’s call for states to expand the pool of people who should get priority for COVID-19 vaccinations, saying the feds weren’t yet backing up those calls with more vaccine deliveries.
by MPR News Staff

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Tech giants join corporate reckoning over political spending

Tech giants join corporate reckoning over political spending

Money-in-politics groups have welcomed this unusually widespread — and self-initiated — reckoning by corporations over their own role in contributing to the nation's current political state.
by Alina Selyukh

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As Minn. rolls through first round of vaccinations, some providers worry about being left out

As Minn. rolls through first round of vaccinations, some providers worry about being left out

Minnesota is inching toward the last phase of its initial COVID-19 vaccinations. But some providers, like residential substance abuse treatment centers and mental health providers, say they’re still in the dark about when and where their staff will get the vaccine.
by Catharine Richert

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House approves 25th Amendment resolution against Trump, Pence says he won't invoke

House approves 25th Amendment resolution against Trump, Pence says he won't invoke

Vice President Mike Pence made his intention clear in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Tuesday evening, as the House was taking up a resolution calling on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump.
by Alana Wise

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Humankind documentary about compassionate care provided by nurses

Humankind documentary about compassionate care provided by nurses

During this coronavirus pandemic, health care providers have been called on to do heroic duty for long hours, day after day and month after month. This hour, you'll hear a Humankind documentary, “Compassionate Nurses,” about the skill and compassion involved in being a nurse — even in the best of times.
by MPR News Staff

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Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world's insects

Scientists decry death by 1,000 cuts for world's insects

Scientists worry that the world is losing about 1 or 2 percent of its insects each year. They say climate change, insecticides, herbicide, land use changes, invasive species and light pollution are killing the world's bugs.
by The Associated Press

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St. Croix GOP refuses to remove 'prepare for war' post

A local Republican group in northwestern Wisconsin refused to take down an online message urging conservatives to “prepare for war” despite urging from the state GOP and the violence last week at the U.S. Capitol.
by The Associated Press

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2 gorillas in California contract the coronavirus

2 gorillas in California contract the coronavirus

Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park developed a cough last week. The apes were tested and found to have the virus. It may have come through a human staffer, despite precautions.
by Dustin Jones

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