Stories from January 15, 2021

January 15, 2021 5:55 PM

Pandemic shortens U.S. life expectancy, study concludes

The deaths caused by the pandemic appear to be shortening overall life expectancy in the U.S. by 1.13 years, which would be the largest single decline in at least 40 years.

by Rob Stein

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January 15, 2021 5:44 PM

Minneapolis council indicates it will try again with plan to replace MPD

The Minneapolis City Council on Friday took steps — again — toward trying to get a proposal on the ballot this year that would allow the city to replace its Police Department with a new public safety agency.

by Brandt Williams and The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 5:40 PM

Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it 'vote of conscience'

The Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, is telling senators decision on whether or not to convict President Donald Trump over the Capitol riot will be a “vote of conscience.”

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 5:26 PM

Trending colder, but still no prolonged polar vortex in sight

This winter seems broken across the Upper Midwest. Temperatures are running 9 degrees warmer than average so far in January.

by Paul Huttner

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January 15, 2021 5:02 PM

Did the pandemic give you new habits you want to break or keep?

Behavior science experts Katy Milkman and Wendy Wood talk about habits and how to make positive changes that last.

by Kerri Miller and Maja Beckstrom

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January 15, 2021 4:33 PM

NRA declares bankruptcy, plans to incorporate in Texas

The National Rifle Association says the nation's most powerful gun-rights organization has filed for bankruptcy. The announcement comes months after New York’s attorney general sued the NRA over claims that top executives illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars for lavish personal trips.

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 4:18 PM

Walz, governors across U.S. complain over pace of COVID vaccine shipments

Uncertainty over the pace of federal COVID-19 vaccine allotments is triggering anger and confusion in Minnesota and some other states across the nation.

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 3:56 PM

Video: Face it! You're bad at judging physical distance. Here's how to do it

Keeping a physical distance from other humans is more critical than ever in the pandemic, with COVID-19 cases surging and more contagious variants spreading. Yet humans are not very good at it.

by Marc Silver

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January 15, 2021 3:47 PM

MN public safety officials see no credible threat on State Capitol, but preparing

Despite initial concern that Minnesota’s Capitol was a target of militant groups, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said that does not appear to be the case for the moment. State and local law enforcement nevertheless plan to be on duty to protect the building should things change. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.

by Nina Moini

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January 15, 2021 3:35 PM

U.S. says no direct evidence of 'kill/capture teams' so far in Capitol riot

The top U.S. prosecutor for the District of Columbia cited a "disconnect" after federal prosecutors in Arizona said there was "strong evidence" that pro-Trump rioters intended to kill officials.

by Bill Chappell and Merrit Kennedy

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January 15, 2021 2:47 PM

How our unseasonably warm air muted snowfall totals in our latest storm

The lack of Arctic air in mid-January across the Upper Midwest played a role in muting snowfall totals in our latest storm.

by Paul Huttner

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January 15, 2021 2:45 PM

Top safety official: No credible threat at Minn. Capitol

As security ramped up at the Minnesota Capitol, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said a recent FBI bulletin about potential threats to state Capitol buildings across the country is outdated. Nevertheless, top state officials said they were ready to keep Minnesotans safe.

by Tim Pugmire

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January 15, 2021 1:48 PM

'At war with this virus': Biden lays out his COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan

President-elect Joe Biden shared a detailed plan to tackle the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, promising to fight the pandemic with "the full strength of the federal government."

by Pien Huang

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January 15, 2021 12:57 PM

Southwest Light Rail Transit line faces delays

Met Council officials say the 14.5-mile line between Eden Prairie and Minneapolis will not begin service as originally scheduled.

by Brandt Williams

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January 15, 2021 12:48 PM

Poll: Majority of Americans blame Trump for violence at Capitol

In the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, 58 percent say Trump is responsible for the riot at the Capitol, but most Republicans don't — and most of them don't accept the accuracy of the election either.

by Domenico Montanaro

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January 15, 2021 12:20 PM

Twin Cities advisories expired; Blizzard warnings in parts of southwest Minn.

Strong winds and snow continue in parts of Minnesota. We have the updated warnings and advisories, plus a look at snow totals. We also have your weekend forecast details.

by Ron Trenda

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January 15, 2021 11:38 AM

Tell me something good: Hope for the new year

This winter, MPR News with Angela Davis looked for an opportunity to bring you some good news from a bad year. Times are tough, but with the presence of a new year comes hope. Use the audio player and take a listen to hear what is bringing people hope.

by Angela Davis and Myah Christenson

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January 15, 2021 11:30 AM

Trump to leave Washington on morning of Biden's inauguration

President Donald Trump will leave Washington next Wednesday morning, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, according to a person familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made public.

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 11:10 AM

'We will continue on': White Earth doctor finds hope, resilience in connection despite pandemic

Native nations in Minnesota managed the early months of the coronavirus pandemic with relatively few cases and deaths. But that changed in the fall, as COVID-19 cases and deaths surged. A doctor helping lead the coronavirus response for the White Earth Nation talks about fighting the virus with science and spiritual practices.

by Dan Gunderson

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January 15, 2021 10:20 AM

ICU nurse says careless attitudes around COVID-19 are 'a slap in the face'

Lydia Mobley has experienced the pandemic's deadliest days from the inside of a Michigan hospital. "You see people not wearing masks. And then you go to work and you watch people die," the nurse says.

by Ailsa Chang

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January 15, 2021 9:21 AM

Justice Dept. watchdog opens probe of response to riot

The Justice Department's internal watchdog said Friday that it will investigate how the department and its law enforcement agencies prepared for and responded to last week's riots at the U.S. Capitol.

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 9:01 AM

Windy, wintry weather continues Friday, then a quieter weekend

A persistent winter storm continues to bring gusty winds and a messy mix of precipitation across Minnesota Friday. Then the weekend turns quieter and cooler.

by Nicole Mitchell

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January 15, 2021 8:33 AM

Response to Capitol riot could hurt minorities, civil libertarians say

They say new police and surveillance powers could, if history is a guide, be used against Blacks and other people of color in the justice system, not the white rioters who stormed the Capitol.

by Carrie Johnson

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January 15, 2021 8:28 AM

A closer look at this slow-moving winter storm

A slow-moving winter storm has made travel hazardous in southwestern Minnesota, while the Twin Cities have so far escaped the worst of what was forecast.

by Cathy Wurzer

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January 15, 2021 8:01 AM

Are you 65 or older? What you need to know about getting your COVID-19 vaccine

The state says health care providers are now allowed to vaccinate people 65 and older, and those who have underlying health conditions — if they have extra doses. The announcement appears to be the first step in following new federal guidance on who should be next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

by Catharine Richert

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January 15, 2021 7:11 AM

A messy mix of wind, snow, rain and ice continue Friday

The winter storm that has been plaguing Minnesota since Thursday continues to bring light snow, rain and freezing drizzle through much of Friday, keeping travel difficult.

by Nicole Mitchell

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January 15, 2021 7:07 AM

'I may not get there with you': An eyewitness account of MLK's final days

Clara Jean Ester was a college student in 1968 when she saw Martin Luther King Jr. give his final speech. A day later, Ester was at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., when he was assassinated.

by Abe Selby

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January 15, 2021 6:29 AM

More vaccine eligibility, not enough vaccine

Minnesota officials say it’s OK now for the state’s health care providers to expand the pool of people eligible for a COVID-19 shot. The problem: Minnesota doesn’t have the supplies yet to vaccinate them. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, January 15, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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January 15, 2021 6:18 AM

With impeachment trial and relief plan on deck, Harris stresses need to 'multitask'

The vice president-elect joins NPR to discuss the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the looming impeachment trial in the Senate and the massive rescue plan the president-elect just unveiled.

by Scott Detrow

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January 15, 2021 6:06 AM

Biden picks familiar faces for top roles at FEMA, CIA

President-elect Joe Biden is nominating New York emergency department commissioner Deanne Criswell to serve as the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator and has tapped former CIA deputy director David Cohen to return to the agency in the same role he served during the Obama administration.

by The Associated Press

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January 15, 2021 5:30 AM

Jan. 15 update on COVID-19 in MN: Walz blasts feds for 'lying' about vaccine supply

Minnesota officials hoping to expand the pool of people eligible to get a COVID-19 shot got a jolt Friday after learning the federal government does not have the doses it promised to do the job.

by MPR News Staff

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January 15, 2021 5:21 AM

Mask-wearing, social distancing improve, but too slowly, survey shows

Mask-wearing hit an all-time high, but other COVID-19 precautions are less common now than last spring, a survey finds. Experts worry we're ill-prepared for the spread of more infectious new variants.

by Rob Stein

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January 15, 2021 4:00 AM

'Two pandemics’: Drug overdoses spike, stretching help even further

When all the data is in, 2020 is likely to be the deadliest year in American history for drug overdoses. Preliminary federal and state numbers show that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for people who use drugs to stay alive and healthy. It's also taxing the advocates and organizations who work to keep them safe.

by Jon Collins

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January 14, 2021 8:02 PM

Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Klete Keller charged in Capitol attack

Klete Keller, 38, is facing three counts: obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

by Brakkton Booker

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January 14, 2021 7:14 PM

Trump impeachment trial to focus on his attacks on election

President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment could go to trial as soon as Inauguration Day, with U.S. senators serving not only as jurors but as shaken personal witnesses and victims of the deadly siege of the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.

by The Associated Press