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Stories from February 18, 2021

Can poetry be a force for social change?

Can poetry be a force for social change?

Host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota poets Tish Jones and Mary Moore Easter about the power of poetry during hard times and how National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman is raising the profile of spoken word poetry. 
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Couple found in Mexico after being charged in connection with arson after Floyd's killing

Couple found in Mexico after being charged in connection with arson after Floyd's killing

A couple from Rochester, Minn., wanted on federal arson charges connected to last spring’s riots that followed the police killing of George Floyd, was apprehended in Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minneapolis has announced.
by Matt Sepic

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Minn. Senate passes bill to stop future school closures

Minn. Senate passes bill to stop future school closures

A governor could no longer use emergency powers to close schools under a bill that the Minnesota Senate passed Thursday.
by Tim Pugmire

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A club, a coach and a conversation: In southern Minnesota, a town grapples with what it means to belong

A club, a coach and a conversation: In southern Minnesota, a town grapples with what it means to belong

In Caledonia, Minn., football reigns — and looming just as large is the team's highly regarded coach. So when he wrote a letter to the local paper questioning whether a new student diversity club would accept students who believe homosexuality is wrong, it prompted a candid conversation over what it's like to be a member of the LGBTQ community in this small town.
by Catharine Richert

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New state website promises to alert Minnesotans when they can get vaccine

An online enrollment form asks for personal data including age, occupation, and pre-existing health conditions. Supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine are still well short of demand, and may be even shorter because of weather-related shipping delays. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Feb. 18, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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How herd immunity works — and what stands in its way

How herd immunity works — and what stands in its way

Scientists say the pandemic will only end in the U.S. when we achieve what's called herd immunity. Play with our simulations to see how immunity can stop an outbreak in its tracks.
by Thomas Wilburn and Richard Harris

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'In her DNA': Ex-Hopkins phenom Bueckers already a star in women's college hoops

'In her DNA': Ex-Hopkins phenom Bueckers already a star in women's college hoops

Minnesota-native Paige Bueckers is already the go-to player for top-ranked UConn. The 19-year-old leads UConn in scoring,  minutes played, 3-point shooting, assists and steals. She has already hit 3-pointers that sealed wins against Tennessee and then-No. 1 South Carolina.
by The Associated Press

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How to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in your state

How to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine in your state

Use NPR's tool to find out where to start when it's your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, helpful advice about how to navigate the system.
by Selena Simmons-Duffin

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February thaw ahead: 40s likely next week

February thaw ahead: 40s likely next week

A Pacific airflow favors above average temperatures for the next 1-2 weeks.
by Paul Huttner

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Lawmakers face off with GameStop saga's key players

Lawmakers face off with GameStop saga's key players

Key players in the GameStop saga are testifying to a House committee Thursday. Lawmakers are examining whether the wild swings in the stock price of the video game retailer exposed conflicts in the market's structure that can hurt unsophisticated investors.

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'A disaster within a disaster': Carbon monoxide poisoning cases are surging in Texas

'A disaster within a disaster': Carbon monoxide poisoning cases are surging in Texas

Harris County has reported at least 300 incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning from the improper use of home heating devices like grills, stoves and generators, as residents scramble to find warmth.
by Rachel Treisman

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Democrats unveil sweeping immigration bill

Democrats unveil sweeping immigration bill

The legislation includes setting up a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but its fate in Congress, which has rejected such measures for the past two decades, is uncertain.
by Barbara Sprunt and Claudia Grisales

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Michael Osterholm on how new COVID variants could change the pandemic's trajectory

Michael Osterholm on how new COVID variants could change the pandemic's trajectory

As vaccinations continue, new variants of the virus are spreading. Scientists worry that the vaccine could be less effective against these mutations and that infection rates might rise again if one of these variants becomes the dominant strain.
by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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'Obviously a mistake': Cruz returns from Cancun after uproar

'Obviously a mistake': Cruz returns from Cancun after uproar

The Republican senator said he began second-guessing the trip since the moment he first got on the plane Wednesday. He said, “In hindsight, I wouldn’t have done it."
by The Associated Press

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Female Olympic veteran chosen as Tokyo Games organizing chief

Female Olympic veteran chosen as Tokyo Games organizing chief

Seiko Hashimoto competed as a speed skater in four winter games and as a cyclist in three summer games. She replaces Yoshiro Mori, who resigned under pressure after complaining women talk too much.
by Anthony Kuhn

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Highs in the 40s by Monday

Minnesota has finally turned the corner on the dangerous cold, and temperatures shoot back above average by next week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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New vaccine tool will tell Minnesotans when they're eligible for COVID shots

New vaccine tool will tell Minnesotans when they're eligible for COVID shots

The “vaccine connector” will alert Minnesotans of their eligibility, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment and provide information on nearby vaccination opportunities. Minnesotans will still have to make their own appointment to get a shot through a vaccine provider.
by Tim Nelson

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Temperatures in the teens Thursday

Although still below average, temperatures for Minnesota nudge milder Thursday, reducing the risk of dangerous wind chills.
by Nicole Mitchell

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'It's life and death': Texans still without power as nation faces more winter storms

'It's life and death': Texans still without power as nation faces more winter storms

Nationwide, more than 40 deaths have been blamed on the weather this week — some who died trying to stay warm in their homes. Thousands of Texans remained without electricity or safe drinking water after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state's power grid and utilities.
by Scott Neuman and The Associated Press

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Minneapolis plans to increase security for upcoming Chauvin trial

Minneapolis leaders said Wednesday they are beefing up security plans, preparing to close streets and making sure businesses and residents are well informed as the trial approaches for the former police officer charged in the death of George Floyd. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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You actually will be talking about 'No One is Talking About This'

You actually will be talking about 'No One is Talking About This'

Patricia Lockwood's first novel follows an extremely online woman whose life changes forever when her niece is born with a serious illness — which sounds Hallmark-ready, but Lockwood pulls it off.
by Heller McAlpin

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Feb. 18 update on COVID-19 in MN: Trends solid; vaccination pace ticks up

Feb. 18 update on COVID-19 in MN: Trends solid; vaccination pace ticks up

Minnesota’s COVID-19 numbers continue to show pandemic conditions improving to the point where the state will allow middle and high school buildings to reopen starting next week. The vaccination pace is improving modestly.
by MPR News Staff

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U.S. life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII

U.S. life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII

A new report finds that life expectancy in the United States dropped a staggering one year during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused its first wave of deaths. Minorities suffered the biggest impact, with Black people losing nearly three years and Hispanics, nearly two years.
by The Associated Press

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'I'm safe on Mars': NASA'S new rover to scour ancient lake bed for life signs

'I'm safe on Mars': NASA'S new rover to scour ancient lake bed for life signs

It's been a long journey for Perseverance, NASA's latest Mars rover, which landed safely on the red planet at 3:55 p.m. ET. "I'm safe on Mars," the rover announced on Twitter upon its arrival. "Perseverance will get you anywhere."
by Scott Neuman

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Art Hounds: Photography three ways

Art Hounds: Photography three ways

Tony Duran’s celebrity portraits are on display in Winona; Steve Ozone pays homage to flowers and Chinese vegetables; and Melissa Borman captures female figures as active participants within landscapes.
by Emily Bright

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More deadly storms coming so prepare better, experts say

More deadly storms coming so prepare better, experts say

The crisis sounded an alarm for power systems throughout the country about the need to prepare for severe conditions, even those that go beyond historical trends. Experts say a lot needs to be done to prepare better for the storms sure to come.
by The Associated Press

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