Stories from February 16, 2021

Southwest U.S. snowstorms cause Moorhead power outages
Parts of western Minnesota face the possibility of rolling blackouts this week because of a winter storm that hit Texas and other parts of the southwestern U.S.
Court revives lawsuit over Minnesota family's 2015 killing
Relatives of Brian Short had sued Park Nicollet health system, alleging that doctors did not do enough to treat Short’s mental illness before he fatally shot his wife, their children and himself in 2015.
Winter's grip is finally easing, at least a little, with temps in the 30s this weekend, although the arctic chill still has repercussions around Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Biden administration says it has increased vaccine supply
Officials announced a boost of about 3 million doses to the states and an additional 1 million to the federally run pharmacy program.
David Pogue on ‘How to Prepare for Climate Change’
Record heat and warming oceans mean life on planet Earth is changing. Science and technology writer David Pogue outlined the scale of those changes and offers advice for how humans can adjust. 
COVID-19 vaccine: Don't miss 2nd dose because of scheduling glitches
After getting one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, some people are having trouble getting their second shot. Here's how to maximize the likelihood you'll get both doses, to be fully immunized.
Drive for low-cost housing finds bipartisan buy-in
This legislative session is already showcasing sharp divides over COVID-19 measures, civil unrest response, taxes and more. But Minnesota lawmakers could find harmony on another critical issue: Housing.
To understand police reform, law professor volunteered to join the force
For four years, Rosa Brooks carried a badge and a gun and worked a minimum of 24 hours a month for the D.C. police — all on a voluntary basis. She writes about her experiences in “Tangled Up in Blue.”
St. Paul mayor, local alums share experiences of historically Black colleges, universities
Host Angela Davis is joined by four local graduates of historically Black colleges and universities to talk about their experiences attending schools created for Black students — and the importance of these institutions today.
Owners of burned, looted businesses plead for state help
State lawmakers heard appeals for rebuilding assistance from shop and restaurant owners whose businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul suffered heavy damage during widespread riots last spring.
APM Reports: The Living Legacy — Black Colleges in the 21st Century
Before the civil rights movement, African Americans were largely barred from white-dominated institutions of higher education. And so Black Americans, and their white supporters, founded their own schools, known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In this documentary, we hear first-person testimony from students about why they chose an HBCU; and we travel to an HBCU that’s in the process of reinventing itself wholesale.
Growing pains: How one southern Minnesota city is taking steps to address diversity, inclusion
As part of the city’s strategic plan, Marshall has formed a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission. Its goal: To launch tough conversations, so that, eventually, the city becomes a more welcoming place for all of its residents.
Ep. 10: The Valentine's Day Industrial Complex
Polar Vortex bringing you down? For episode 10 we did the one thing we in The Warming House are really, really good at: we hunkered. We hunkered down thinking about Valentine's Day!
Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in Capitol riot
Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson accused Donald Trump in a federal lawsuit on Tuesday of inciting the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and of conspiring with his lawyer and extremist groups to try to prevent the Senate from certifying the results of the presidential election he lost to Joe Biden.
Bitter cold eases this week; 30s by Sunday
Extreme cold has a grip on the U.S. with subzero temperatures all the way to Texas Tuesday morning.
Hospitals still ration medical N95 masks as stockpiles swell
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States finds itself with many millions of N95 masks pouring out of factories and heading into storage. Yet there still aren't nearly enough going to hospitals. The Associated Press finds that this logistical breakdown is due to federal failures over the past year to coordinate supply chains.
'I'm not a cover girl': Halima Aden on why she decided to leave a modeling career
Halima Aden, the first supermodel to wear a hijab, thought a career in fashion might help her be a role model. But it left her feeling disconnected from her own image. So she's leaving it behind.
Gov. Tim Walz’s plan to create a $35 million fund to pay for security around the upcoming trial of the first former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd ran into a roadblock in the Minnesota House on Monday.  This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Security funding for Chauvin trial hits roadblock at Capitol
Security planning around the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin remains in doubt amid divisions over who should pay and what standards police should be held to as they respond to protests.
In Tuskegee, painful history shadows efforts to vaccinate African Americans
A lingering mistrust of the medical system among many Black people is rooted in the infamous 20th century U.S. study of syphilis that left Black men in Tuskegee, Ala., to suffer from the disease.
Minnesota schools plan to continue virtual learning options in fall 2021
Many Minnesota students, parents and school leaders are hoping the next school year will look more normal. But the pandemic has transformed the face of education and some schools are planning to keep virtual learning as an option come fall. 
Wolf hunt approved in Wisconsin as legal fight continues
Wisconsin's wolf hunt will begin next week with up to 200 animals to be harvested, the state Department of Natural Resources Board determined at a hastily called meeting Monday in reaction to a court order requiring a hunt this month.
Minnesota House pulls $35M security fund for officer trials
A proposal by Gov. Tim Walz to create a $35 million fund to bolster security during the murder trial of a former Minneapolis officer charged with killing George Floyd has stalled out in the Democratic-controlled Minnesota House. Leaders abruptly pulled the bill Monday, acknowledging that they lacked enough votes to pass it.