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Stories from January 21, 2021

House and Senate approve waiver for Lloyd Austin, Biden's pick to head Pentagon

House and Senate approve waiver for Lloyd Austin, Biden's pick to head Pentagon

The House normally has no role in Cabinet nominations, but because Austin, a retired Army general, has been out of uniform for less than seven years, both chambers of Congress must approve a waiver.
by Brakkton Booker and Claudia Grisales

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'The separate and unequal health system' highlighted by COVID-19

'The separate and unequal health system' highlighted by COVID-19

A South Los Angeles hospital has long provided for an underserved community where private insurance is scarce and chronic illnesses can flourish. And then came a devastating coronavirus surge.
by Leila Fadel

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Nearly 1 In 5 defendants in Capitol riot cases served in the military

Nearly 1 In 5 defendants in Capitol riot cases served in the military

Amid rising concern over domestic extremism, an NPR analysis found military veterans were overrepresented in those charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol when compared to the general population.
by Tom Dreisbach and Meg Anderson

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As COVID deaths pass 6,000 state says it will fix vaccine distribution issues

As COVID deaths pass 6,000, the state says it will fix vaccine distribution issues and the latest tech headache for people seeking scarce doses. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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A tale of two dentists: Why some providers are getting vaccinated and some aren’t

A tale of two dentists: Why some providers are getting vaccinated and some aren’t

As Minnesota expands who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, some health care providers say they still don’t know how and when they will get theirs. Demographics, vaccine supply and inconsistent rules are adding to the confusion. 
by Catharine Richert

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For some Minnesota Latinos, the future is filled with cautious hope

For some Minnesota Latinos, the future is filled with cautious hope

Latino voters were wildly misunderstood in the 2020 presidential election. Pollsters and pundits who spoke of a Latino “bloc” that would vote reflexively for Democrats came to discover it did not exist. We asked Minnesota Latinos what motivated their 2020 vote for president, and how hopeful they were feeling about the coming year. 
by Kathryn Styer Martinez

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Tracking Saturday snowfall trends

Arctic air is blowing into Minnesota Thursday. Saturday brings a good chance of snow. The heaviest snowfall totals favor southern Minnesota.
by Paul Huttner

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Judge refuses to reinstate Parler after Amazon shut it down

Judge refuses to reinstate Parler after Amazon shut it down

U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein sided with Amazon, which argued that Parler would not remove posts from its site that threatened public safety in the wake of the riots on the Capitol.
by Bobby Allyn

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Can a Biden-Harris administration deliver unity? 

Can a Biden-Harris administration deliver unity? 

A new administration takes charge amid economic troubles, a deadly virus and deep divisions. Host Angela Davis talked with two community leaders and listeners about the inauguration and what comes next. 
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Minneapolis will recoup some of Trump campaign rally costs

Minneapolis will recoup some of Trump campaign rally costs

City officials identified $200,000 in municipal costs that they believe were eligible for reimbursement, including traffic control, installing temporary barriers, public works construction and other services.
by The Associated Press

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Just move: Scientist author debunks myths about exercise and sleep

Just move: Scientist author debunks myths about exercise and sleep

Paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman says the concept of "getting exercise" is relatively new. His new book, “Exercised,” examines why we run, lift and walk for a workout when our ancestors didn't.
by Terry Gross

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Weekend forecast: Snow moves in on Saturday; a quiet Sunday

If you’ve been hoping for some fresh snow cover, you’re in luck. A low pressure system passing to our south with spin moisture over Minnesota and much of Wisconsin this weekend. We have your weekend forecast details.
by Ron Trenda

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Frey to run for another term as Minneapolis mayor

Frey to run for another term as Minneapolis mayor

After a tumultuous 2020, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Thursday launched a 2021 reelection effort.
by MPR News Staff

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Judge denies motion to delay Chauvin trial

Judge denies motion to delay Chauvin trial

A Hennepin County judge on Thursday ordered that the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will go on as scheduled in March.
by Brandt Williams

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Biden revokes Trump report promoting 'patriotic education'

Biden revokes Trump report promoting 'patriotic education'

President Joe Biden revoked a recent Trump administration report that aimed to promote "patriotic education" in schools but that historians mocked and rejected as political propaganda.
by The Associated Press

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Buttigieg aims for 'generational' change at Transportation

Buttigieg aims for 'generational' change at Transportation

President Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg, is pledging to carry out the administration's ambitious agenda to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, calling it a "generational opportunity" to create new jobs, fight economic inequality and stem climate change.
by The Associated Press

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What’s next for the ‘Never Trumpers’?

What’s next for the ‘Never Trumpers’?

It wasn't just Democrats who worked to elect President Joe Biden. Many prominent Republicans did too — most notably, the Lincoln Project and Republican Voters Against Trump. What’s next for these so-called Never Trumpers?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Cold returns, then weekend snow

A potent cold front sends temperatures plunging Thursday, then a weekend snowstorm brings plowable snow, especially for southern Minnesota. 
by Nicole Mitchell

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Falling temperatures across Minnesota Thursday

Temperatures drop and light snow falls as a cold front makes its way through Minnesota Thursday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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First vaccinations for adults 65 and older begin today

The first vaccinations scheduled for adults 65 and older begin today. Around 6,000 Minnesotans signed up to receive a vaccine, as part of a pilot program rolled out by the state Tuesday. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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6 takeaways from President Biden's inauguration

6 takeaways from President Biden's inauguration

After a chaotic four years under former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden is calling for calm. A new tone was set, but a return to the same old partisan bickering won't solve the problem of millions fed a daily diet of false information.
by Domenico Montanaro

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Jan. 21 update on COVID-19 in MN: Death toll tops 6K; no post-holiday case surge

Jan. 21 update on COVID-19 in MN: Death toll tops 6K; no post-holiday case surge

Minnesota appears to have dodged a major post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases that officials had feared was coming, the state’s health commissioner said Thursday. The death toll, however, continues to climb.
by MPR News Staff

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On Day 2, Biden focuses on COVID-19 strategy with 10 executive actions

On Day 2, Biden focuses on COVID-19 strategy with 10 executive actions

President Joe Biden laid out his COVID-19 strategy before he took office. On Thursday, he signed 10 orders, aimed at jump-starting his plan to increase vaccinations and testing.
by Ayesha Rascoe

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Art Hounds: Art North International showcases Minnesotans' work

Art Hounds: Art North International showcases Minnesotans' work

Plus, sculptures and skating at Franconia Sculpture Park, and an appreciation for the efforts to preserve the art on plywood following the killing of George Floyd.
by Emily Bright

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Intelligence Squared: Who gets vaccinated first?

Intelligence Squared: Who gets vaccinated first?

Intelligence Squared program with epidemiologist Dr. Larry Brilliant. “Who gets vaccinated first?”
by MPR News Staff

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Democrats control Senate; Biden intelligence chief confirmed

Democrats control Senate; Biden intelligence chief confirmed

Three new senators were sworn into office Wednesday after President Joe Biden's inauguration. In a first vote, the Senate confirmed Biden's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines.
by The Associated Press

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Stocks close on record highs after Biden inauguration

Stocks close on record highs after Biden inauguration

The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all hit new records as markets closed on Wednesday. Former President Donald Trump frequently cited stock market gains as a personal accomplishment.
by Camila Domonoske

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