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Stories from February 5, 2021

Minnesota hospitals say state's vaccine distribution is at 'untenable crossroads'

Minnesota hospitals say state's vaccine distribution is at 'untenable crossroads'

In a letter to the Minnesota Department of Health, a coalition of Minnesota’s hospitals say the state’s vaccine distribution system is inequitable, leaving some clinics and hospitals without doses to give to older, vulnerable patients.
by Catharine Richert

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Minneapolis Park Board won't permit homeless encampments

Minneapolis Park Board won't permit homeless encampments

Commissioners voted 5 to 3 this week to work with other government and social service agencies to help people who are unsheltered.
by Matt Sepic

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Bitter, sustained 10-day mostly subzero cold wave kicks in

Bitter, sustained 10-day mostly subzero cold wave kicks in

The coldest air of winter is pushing into Minnesota this weekend. Most of Minnesota will likely remain near or below zero for the next 10 days.
by Paul Huttner

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Little Free Sled libraries provide the slides for winter rides

Little Free Sled libraries provide the slides for winter rides

The idea behind the Little Free Library is pretty common throughout the country. If you need a book, pick a book. That idea has bloomed into a new cold weather version, the "Little Free Sled Library." MPR News host Tom Crann had a chance to speak to Tim Hereid of Minneapolis, the originator of this new twist on the idea.
by Tom Crann

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Awards season is here; these are the movies you need to see now

Awards season is here; these are the movies you need to see now

Two longtime film critics joined the program to talk all things awards season. What are the best films of the year? The worst? The ones you know you should like but just couldn’t get through? The ones that surprised you? After the show, you’ll know exactly what to stream this weekend.
by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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Gov. Walz deploys MN National Guard for Chauvin trial security

Gov. Walz deploys MN National Guard for Chauvin trial security

Gov. Tim Walz has issued an order authorizing the National Guard to respond in the event that high-profile trials spark civil unrest. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, charged in the death of George Floyd, is scheduled to go on trial next month.
by Brandt Williams and The Associated Press

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COVID patient's case offers surprising clues to origins of coronavirus variants

COVID patient's case offers surprising clues to origins of coronavirus variants

Scientists are looking at a possible link between the coronavirus mutations in the U.K. and South Africa — and those in a patient in Boston who had living, growing virus in his body for five months.
by Michaeleen Doucleff

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Music venue owners, artists reflect on how the pandemic changed their industry

Music venue owners, artists reflect on how the pandemic changed their industry

NPR's Audie Cornish checks in with music venue owners and artists to gauge how they're managing during the pandemic and what funding from the Save Our Stages Act would do for the live music industry.

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NFL offers all 30 stadiums for use as coronavirus vaccine sites

NFL offers all 30 stadiums for use as coronavirus vaccine sites

Each NFL team "will make its stadium available for mass vaccinations of the general public," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to President Biden.
by Bill Chappell

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Evers plans to veto Republican-backed COVID-19 bill

Evers plans to veto Republican-backed COVID-19 bill

Gov. Tony Evers promises to veto the first bill passed by the Legislature to address the coronavirus pandemic in 10 months, a Republican-backed measure that Democrats say would do nothing to combat the virus or help reopen the state. 
by The Associated Press

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Walz targets smoking, vaping with higher taxes

Walz targets smoking, vaping with higher taxes

Gov. Tim Walz wants to discourage young people from using nicotine by raising taxes, but Republicans in the Legislature say no matter what the aim, they won’t support higher taxes.
by Tim Pugmire

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Cold now, but just wait until the weekend hits

MPR meteorologist Nicole Mitchell says temperatures in Minnesota were actually around normal for this time of year earlier Friday, but a sustained dip is settling in. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Feb. 5, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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Congress approves budget, paving the way for Biden's COVID-19 relief package

Congress approves budget, paving the way for Biden's COVID-19 relief package

Congressional committees now move to the to the next stage of finalizing the details of President Biden's $1.9 trillion bill. Democrats are using process that could approve it with a party-line vote.
by Kelsey Snell and Jaclyn Diaz

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Biden pledged historic cabinet diversity. Here's how his nominees stack up

Biden pledged historic cabinet diversity. Here's how his nominees stack up

President Joe Biden's core group of advisers is more racially diverse and has more women than those of former Presidents Donald Trump or Barack Obama. See a list of the picks and their experience.
by Alana Wise

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Oscar winner, ‘Sound of Music’ star Christopher Plummer dies

Oscar winner, ‘Sound of Music’ star Christopher Plummer dies

Christopher Plummer, the dashing award-winning actor who played Captain von Trapp in the film “The Sound of Music” and at 82 became the oldest Academy Award winner in history, has died. He was 91.
by The Associated Press

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Weekend forecast: Arctic cold and dangerous wind chills

Find your warmest coat, gloves/mittens and stocking cap if you have outdoor plans this weekend. We have the very cold forecast details.
by Ron Trenda

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Get ready for a deep freeze this weekend

After a warmer-than-average January in Minnesota, the other shoe is dropping in February.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Women leaders in MN share the mic to broaden the conversation

Women leaders in MN share the mic to broaden the conversation

Young women of color in Minnesota are “taking over” the social media platforms of established women business owners, politicians and other state leaders to bring fresh perspectives and solutions. 
by Kerri Miller and Maja Beckstrom

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Senate says no to $15 minimum wage for now, but Democrats vow to push on

Senate says no to $15 minimum wage for now, but Democrats vow to push on

Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 remains a priority of President Joe Biden and Democrats after the Senate approved an amendment prohibiting a wage increase during the pandemic.
by Andrea Hsu, Sam Gringlas and Audie Cornish

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The coldest stretch of the winter begins this weekend

The coldest stretch of the winter begins this weekend

The weather turns noticeably chillier Friday, but even more frigid air and dangerously cold wind chills target Minnesota over the weekend.
by Nicole Mitchell

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A sexy Alexa, Dan Levy's M&M habit: Super Bowl ads to watch

A sexy Alexa, Dan Levy's M&M habit: Super Bowl ads to watch

This year there are more than 20 newcomers as well as old favorites. Amazon shows off a sexy new body for its Alexa assistant, Dan Levy apologizes for eating M&M's and Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade makes a downpour of lemons a metaphor for 2020's troubles. And as always, there are likely to be some surprises as well.
by The Associated Press

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66 people rescued from ice floes adrift on Wisconsin bay

Ice boats and helicopters were used to bring the people who were ice fishing to safety Thursday in Door County. Three separate ice floes broke away after cracks developed between the shore and groups of people, the Coast Guard said. No one was injured.
by The Associated Press

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Cold, gusty winds keep Friday frigid

Cold winds prevent Minnesota from warming much Friday and also cause frigid wind chills throughout the day.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Senate OKs fast-track of COVID aid, Harris casts tie-breaker

Senate OKs fast-track of COVID aid, Harris casts tie-breaker

The Senate early Friday approved a budget resolution that's a key step toward fast-track passage of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.
by The Associated Press

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Prosecutors push for additional charge against officers in Floyd case

Prosecutors want all four former officers charged in the killing of George Floyd to get an additional charge of third-degree murder. Former officer Derek Chauvin’s trial is set to start next month. The other three defendants are scheduled to stand trial in August. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Trends steady; vaccination path unclear

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Trends steady; vaccination path unclear

After an early-week stumble, vaccination counts in the latest data are better but still not matching levels from last week, suggesting the prior week’s vigorous pace may have been the exception.
by MPR News Staff

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Suppliers field growing demand for seeds from pandemic gardeners

Suppliers field growing demand for seeds from pandemic gardeners

Many people stuck at home during the pandemic turned to gardening for the first time. The unexpected spike in demand has seed suppliers struggling to keep up.
by Dana Cronin

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One thing millennials aren't killing? Public transportation

One thing millennials aren't killing? Public transportation

Urban living, concern for the environment and a lack of romanticism about cars are some of the reasons why many are trying to save it.
by Emma Peaslee

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Amid huge demand, food shelves urge people to seek help

Amid huge demand, food shelves urge people to seek help

One of the nation’s largest food banks — Minnesota-based Second Harvest Heartland — says it's seeing huge demand for its services amid the pandemic. And it’s urging people in need to go to a food shelf. 
by Mark Zdechlik

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All the home’s a stage: Far-flung actors, crew unite for Theater Mu’s new show

All the home’s a stage: Far-flung actors, crew unite for Theater Mu’s new show

After months of planning and with pandemic restrictions still in place, Theater Mu in St. Paul will launch its mainstage season on Saturday with a new production merging theater and film — a play that’s designed for, and speaks to, the times we’re living in. 
by Emily Bright

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Johnson & Johnson applies for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccine

Johnson & Johnson applies for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccine

The company's vaccine has shown to be 85 percent effective against severe forms of the disease. Patients will only need to receive one shot instead of two, as with other vaccines already in use in the U.S.
by Dustin Jones

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Election officials say combating lies will be big challenge

Election officials say combating lies will be big challenge

Top election officials across the country are looking ahead to future elections and grappling with how they can counter a wave of lies and misinformation, after a 2020 election season dominated by conspiracy theories and false claims about voting. 
by The Associated Press

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U.S. rushes to catch up in the race to detect mutant viruses

U.S. rushes to catch up in the race to detect mutant viruses

Despite its world-class medical system and its vaunted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. fell behind in the race to detect dangerous coronavirus mutations. And it’s only now beginning to catch up. 
by The Associated Press

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U.S. virus deaths surpass 450K; daily toll is stubbornly high

U.S. virus deaths surpass 450K; daily toll is stubbornly high

The number of daily deaths remains stubbornly high at more than 3,000 a day, despite falling infections and the arrival of multiple vaccines. Infectious disease specialists expect deaths to start dropping soon, after new cases hit a peak right around the beginning of the year
by The Associated Press

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Minneapolis police staffing woes worse than anticipated

Minneapolis police staffing woes worse than anticipated

A City Council committee gives initial approval for the chief’s plan to hire dozens more officers by the end of the year.
by Brandt Williams

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Referee Sarah Thomas to make Super Bowl history

Referee Sarah Thomas to make Super Bowl history

For the first time, a woman will be among the referees working during a Super Bowl. Sarah Thomas is part of a growing number of women officiating at the highest level of men's sports leagues.
by Tom Goldman

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Voting company sues Fox, Giuliani over election fraud claims

Voting company sues Fox, Giuliani over election fraud claims

A voting technology company is suing Fox News, three of its top hosts, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell for $2.7 billion, charging that the defendants conspired to spread false claims that the company helped steal the U.S. presidential election away from former President Donald Trump. 
by The Associated Press

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