Stories from February 10, 2021

Buffalo clinic shooting victim remembered as devoted mom and caretaker as her alleged killer awaits possible murder, attempted murder and explosives charges. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Is one day a week enough? Biden's school goal draws blowback
Biden’s initial pledge in December was to reopen “the majority of our schools” in his first 100 days in office. The White House now says schools will be considered opened as long as they teach in-person at least one day a week.
Court: Regulators were correct in applying drinking-water standards to groundwater in Minntac permit
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday said state regulators correctly applied drinking-water standards to groundwater when issuing a permit to an Iron Range mine in 2018, reversing a lower court's 2019 decision.
Biden orders sanctions against Myanmar after military coup
President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered new sanctions against the military regime in Myanmar, taking action after the military this month staged a coup in the Southeast Asian country and arrested de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior politicians.
Government investigating massive counterfeit N95 mask scam
Federal authorities are investigating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agencies. The foreign-made knockoffs are becoming increasingly difficult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus.
Electronic health records may be delaying COVID-19 vaccinations
The same electronic systems used to record when patients get a physical or go to the ER are also used to log data when coronavirus vaccines are given. But the systems don't share information easily.
Red River diversion backers laud decision affirming permit
Supporters of a Red River diversion project said Wednesday a decision by a Minnesota agency to reject an appeal of a permit it issued in 2018 should remove one of the last hurdles to building the channel.
Minn. agencies roll out plan to tackle ‘forever chemicals’
The statewide “blueprint” calls for the state to enact stronger regulations, including designating PFAS as hazardous substances under Minnesota’s Superfund law.
Prosecutor: Alleged Health clinic shooter to face murder, explosives charges
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes vowed to "aggressively prosecute” Gregory Paul Ulrich. Lindsay Overbay, a 37-year-old medical assistant, was killed in the clinic shooting. She was a mother of two children ages 5 and 8.
What you need to know about NASA’s next mission to Mars
The Perseverance rover is set to land on Mars Feb. 18. What do NASA scientists want to learn from the next mission to explore the Red Planet?
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office says 12-year-old Tajiddien Abdullah (“Josiah”) has been found safe and is now with his family.
CDC study finds two masks are better than one vs. COVID-19
A new government study finds that wearing two masks can be better than one in protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. But health officials are stopping short of recommending that everyone double up.
One Minn. health care provider using AI to prioritize patients for COVID-19 shots
How should health care providers decide who gets to the front of the line for a coronavirus vaccine? The state Health Department has mostly left that decision up to individual providers, most of whom are prioritizing their patients based on age. Others are taking a more complicated approach. Experts say those choices raise important ethical and moral issues.
Wednesday brings one more day of slightly milder temperatures before another extended period of below-zero weather return.  While this is the chilliest stretch of the winter, it is significantly warmer than what our winters used to bring. 
Lost a job or income? Don't lose access to key tax credits
Americans who lost their job or some of their income in 2020 should pay attention to a new, one-time provision that ensures they don't lose access to valuable tax credits as well. These credits could be key to getting a refund.
Taxing time: How the pandemic will affect filing your taxes
Tax filing season will start a bit later and look a bit different this year. That's because the pandemic that defined 2020 has seeped into tax time as well. If you worked from home, received a relief payment, took on some gig work or filed unemployment benefits _ or someone filed a fake claim in your name _ there are things you need to be aware of. Likewise if you normally receive certain tax credits. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Feb. 12.
Cat-astrophe! Filter makes lawyer look like a kitten in court
A Zoom court hearing in Texas took a detour when an attorney showed up looking like a kitten. That's because of a Zoom filter that had been activated on the attorney's device, which obscured his appearance and made him look like a cat.
Similar to Tuesday, Wednesday brings another day of milder temperatures relative to the rest of the week.
Police beg for help, senators flee in Trump trial video
Prosecutors in Donald Trump's impeachment trial have unveiled chilling new security video for Senate jurors and the nation. The footage shows the mob of rioters breaking into the Capitol, smashing windows and doors and searching menacingly for Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Overwhelmed police begged on their radios for help.
What to watch: Democrats to argue Trump alone incited mob
House Democrats will begin two days of arguments in Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, trying to convince skeptical Republicans that the former president alone was responsible for inciting his mob of supporters who broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and interrupted the presidential electoral count.
Analysis: What's to blame for Minnesota's slow vaccination pace?
After a one-time surge last month, Minnesota’s seen vaccinations trend the wrong way for eight straight days. MPR News data reporter David H. Montgomery digs into the numbers to break down what’s happening.
Multiple people were shot Tuesday morning at an Allina Health clinic in Buffalo, northwest of the Twin Cities, killing one person and injuring four others. Police arrested a local man they said was well known to them and has a history of conflict. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Mobile ‘strike team’ brings COVID vaccine to the most vulnerable
Because of their age and their close living arrangements, the nuns at St. Benedict’s Monastery are at high risk from the coronavirus. But traveling to a clinic or hospital to get a vaccination would be a challenge for many of them. So, the vaccine came to them.
DFLers debate mask law while GOP seeks to undo Walz's COVID-19 powers
Minnesota lawmakers are taking a close and mostly partisan look at the emergency orders DFL Gov. Tim Walz began issuing last year in response to COVID-19. 
Patience is a virtue: How northern Minnesota wolves ambush their prey
A study released Tuesday shows for the first time the sophisticated ambushing strategies that wolves in northern Minnesota have developed to hunt beaver. It builds on earlier research countering the traditional notion that wolves only hunt prey by outrunning and outlasting it.  
Dems attempt to push through school funding, wage increase
House Democrats are muscling past Republicans on major portions of President Joe Biden’s pandemic plan, including a proposed $130 billion in school relief and a gradual increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. 
'Wizard of Oz' remake planned with 'Watchmen' director
Are we off to see the wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz — again? New Line Cinema is making a new adaptation of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” L. Frank Baum children’s novel, with Nicole Kassell, the visual architect of “Watchmen,” set to direct.