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Stories from January 28, 2021

Early data shows striking racial disparities in who's getting the COVID-19 vaccine

A disproportionately small number of Black and Hispanic Americans have gotten vaccinated so far. Samantha Artiga of the Kaiser Family Foundation discusses barriers to access and what needs to be done.
by Ari Shapiro

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Liquid nitrogen leak at Georgia poultry plant kills 6

Liquid nitrogen leak at Georgia poultry plant kills 6

A liquid nitrogen leak at a northeast Georgia poultry plant has killed six people and sent 11 others to the hospital. At least three of those injured at the Foundation Foods Group plant in Gainesville were reported in critical condition Thursday.
by The Associated Press

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Novavax COVID-19 vaccine works, but less so against variants

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine works, but less so against variants

Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine appears 89 percent effective, based on early findings from a British study. The shot also seems to work against new mutated versions of the virus circulating in that country and South Africa, though not as well. 
by The Associated Press

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DFL state lawmakers propose what they say is most ambitious clean energy goal in U.S.

DFL state lawmakers propose what they say is most ambitious clean energy goal in U.S.

With a slate of executive actions this week, President Joe Biden is aiming the country to use 100 percent clean energy by 2050. In a bill introduced this session, Minnesota lawmakers propose doing it by 2040.
by Paul Huttner and Megan Burks

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Governor says help is on the way as state pledges to improve vaccination

Governor says help is on the way as state pledges to improve vaccination, while health experts say the shadow of new COVID variants is looming on the horizon. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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In Warroad, a 2.5-mile skate path is connecting neighbors

In Warroad, a 2.5-mile skate path is connecting neighbors

It started with two neighbors connecting their hockey rinks on the Warroad River. Now it’s a 2.5-mile skate path maintained and enjoyed by an entire community.
by Steven John and Megan Burks

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Sharp divide over election law changes at Minnesota Capitol

Sharp divide over election law changes at Minnesota Capitol

Proposed election law changes have surfaced as a major point of disagreement early in the legislative session between Democrats in the Minnesota House and Republicans in the state Senate.
by Tim Pugmire

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'My Year Abroad' is a fun excursion — just a little light on substance

'My Year Abroad' is a fun excursion — just a little light on substance

Chang-rae Lee's new novel follows an aimless college student on his year overseas, taking readers from the New Jersey suburbs into some of the more luxurious reaches of Asian megacities.
by Maureen Corrigan

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GameStop: How Reddit traders occupied Wall Street's turf

GameStop: How Reddit traders occupied Wall Street's turf

GameStop has seen its stock soar, driven higher by a group of amateur day traders on Reddit, who are taking on Wall Street hedge funds. The frenzy has gotten the attention of regulators and lawmakers.
by Avie Schneider

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After the Capitol attack, does police MAGA sentiment cross the line?

After the Capitol attack, does police MAGA sentiment cross the line?

Many in law enforcement have cheered on former President Donald Trump. After his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, some say police expressions of that support threaten police legitimacy.
by Martin Kaste

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Wisconsin Assembly cancels vote on repeal of mask mandate

Wisconsin Assembly cancels vote on repeal of mask mandate

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly has backed off on voting to repeal Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate. The retreat Thursday came in the face of broad criticism from the state’s health, school and business leaders and out concern the move would jeopardize more than $49 million in federal food assistance.
by The Associated Press

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The new push for immigration reform

The new push for immigration reform

President Joe Biden wasted no time in proposing immigration reform. The same day he was inaugurated, he sent a bill to Congress. But will his ambitious plan work?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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In Focus: Disparities and distrust in BIPOC health care

Minnesota consistently lands on lists of states with the best health care. But if you’re Indigenous or a person of color, you’re not included in the high marks the state receives in metrics like health care access or public health outcomes.
by Angela Davis and Rachel Yang

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Virus variant from South Africa detected in U.S. for 1st time

Virus variant from South Africa detected in U.S. for 1st time

A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the United States for the first time, with two cases diagnosed in South Carolina, state health officials said Thursday.
by The Associated Press

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January rarity: Twin Cities will end the month with no days below zero

Temperatures turn milder into the weekend, and widespread snow returns on Saturday. The return of warmer weather means it is now certain that the Twin Cities will make it through all of January without going below zero.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Pakistani court: Release man accused in Daniel Pearl's death

Pakistani court: Release man accused in Daniel Pearl's death

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the release Thursday of a Pakistani-British man convicted and later acquitted in the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.
by The Associated Press

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Temperatures turn seasonable by Thursday afternoon

After another frigid start for parts of northern Minnesota, warmer air starts spreading across the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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'This Is Our Dream': A crowdsourced poem to inspire hope

'This Is Our Dream': A crowdsourced poem to inspire hope

NPR poet-in-residence Kwame Alexander's latest community poem started with a request to consider what follows after the words "I dream a world."
by Rachel Martin

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Lottery winners begin to receive their vaccinations

Officials said more than 226,000 people signed up online and by phone for a chance at one of the roughly 8,000 doses available in this round. The state says anyone who signed up for this week's lottery but didn't get an appointment, will automatically remain on the list, for as long as the pilot program continues. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Explainer: Why it's hard to make vaccines and boost supplies

Explainer: Why it's hard to make vaccines and boost supplies

With demand for COVID-19 vaccines outpacing the world's supplies, a frustrated public and policymakers want to know: How can we get a lot more, fast? But scaling up vaccine production is a slow and steady process. As one expert explains, it's not simply adding more water to the soup.
by The Associated Press

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How many variants of the coronavirus are there?

How many variants of the coronavirus are there?

Many variants of the coronavirus are circulating around the world, but scientists are primarily concerned about three.
by The Associated Press

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'There’s this pent-up demand': Minnesota restaurants welcome the return of diners

'There’s this pent-up demand': Minnesota restaurants welcome the return of diners

Restaurant owners say Minnesotans are taking advantage of the return to in-person dining. The state's hospitality businesses got the go-ahead to reopen to limited indoor drinking and dining earlier this month. Though they might prefer opening at full capacity, they’re focused on avoiding a return to harsher restrictions.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Art Hounds: Art exhibition undresses the garment industry

Art Hounds: Art exhibition undresses the garment industry

A large, multimedia work contemplates mass-produced clothing and the issues raised in their manufacture.
by Emily Bright

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Should we lift the crushing burden of student loan debt? 

Should we lift the crushing burden of student loan debt? 

Forgiving student loan debt has moved from fringe to mainstream. President Joe Biden supports erasing up to $10,000 in debt and some Democrats want more. Kerri Miller talks to two experts about why student debt has surged and how to help those who need it most. 
by Kerri Miller and Maja Beckstrom

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Proud Boys leader was government informant, records show

Court records show that the leader of the Proud Boys, who was arrested in Washington shortly before the Capitol riot, previously worked undercover and cooperated with investigators after he was accused of fraud in 2012. 
by The Associated Press

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