Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Stories from February 19, 2021

Mars landing team 'awestruck' by photo of descending rover

Mars landing team 'awestruck' by photo of descending rover

The world got its first close-up look at a Mars landing on Friday, as NASA released a stunning picture of its newest rover being lowered onto the dusty red surface.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Trump repeats election claims in interviews, is unchallenged

Trump repeats election claims in interviews, is unchallenged

Former President Donald Trump repeated false claims about election results 10 times during interviews this week on Fox News Channel, Newsmax and One America News Networks. The claims were unprompted but also unchallenged in each case. 
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
How to deal with pandemic-induced insomnia

How to deal with pandemic-induced insomnia

Stress, anxiety, a lack of routine — and in some cases, COVID-19 itself are contributing to a surge in insomnia. What can we do about it?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Minnesotans have received over 1 million vaccine doses, Gov. Walz says

The milestone comes as the pace of vaccinations ticked up recently. Other promising COVID-19 trends this week included fewer weekly deaths on average and hospitalizations at levels not seen since September. This is an afternoon MPR News update for Feb. 19, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Investigators say alleged clinic gunman angry after being denied opioids

Investigators say alleged clinic gunman angry after being denied opioids

Newly unsealed search warrant applications indicate that Gregory Ulrich, 67, had sought pain pills at multiple clinics and was the subject of a “threat assessment” by Stellis Health.
by Matt Sepic

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Extreme winter weather creates backlog of 6 million vaccine doses

Extreme winter weather creates backlog of 6 million vaccine doses

The White House COVID-19 Response Team said Friday that while this week's storm affected deliveries to all 50 states, it is confident it can make up the backlog within the next week.
by Rachel Treisman

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Sports and community with Tony Sanneh and La Velle E. Neal III

Sports and community with Tony Sanneh and La Velle E. Neal III

MPR News host Angela Davis talks to the Star Tribune’s newest sports columnist and a former professional soccer player whose organization is helping boost the ranks of teachers of color. 
by Angela Davis

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Weekend forecast: 20s, then 30s; Sunday flakes

Weekend forecast: 20s, then 30s; Sunday flakes

Are you ready for a warming trend? If so, you’ll like the weekend forecast. Snow lovers will be interested in our updated Sunday snow forecast and the Minnesota snow depth map.
by Ron Trenda

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Biden to authorize broader disaster relief for Texas

Biden to authorize broader disaster relief for Texas

The state has for the last week suffered through a major winter storm that left many of its residents without heat, power or potable water.
by Alana Wise

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
COVID drives home schooling surge; public school enrollment drops

COVID drives home schooling surge; public school enrollment drops

The COVID-19 crisis is driving dramatic changes in Minnesota public school enrollments, including a drop of some 17,000 students in the past year, with families delaying kindergarten and choosing options outside the public system, the state Education Department says.
by Elizabeth Shockman and MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Was this the coldest Valentine’s Day in MN history?

An MPR listener wanted to know whether Feb. 14 set any records for cold in Minnesota.
by Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Twin Cities artist Lady Midnight moves from stage to virtual reality

Twin Cities artist Lady Midnight moves from stage to virtual reality

Her latest project, “Practice for Relief,” is an immersive virtual reality experience featuring sounds meant to promote calm, peace and healing.  
by Cathy Wurzer

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Back in Paris accord, U.S. vows no more sidelining of climate

Back in Paris accord, U.S. vows no more sidelining of climate

The United States officially returned to the Paris global climate accord on Friday, and U.S. leaders declared the nation could not afford to ever sideline the growing climate crisis again.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Accumulating snow likely Sunday

The warmup continues, with the state expected to be another 20 degrees warmer by early next week. Meanwhile, a weekend storm could bring a couple inches of snow to southern Minnesota.
by Nicole Mitchell

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
It's final: Harry and Meghan won't return as working royals

It's final: Harry and Meghan won't return as working royals

Buckingham Palace confirmed Friday that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will not be returning to royal duties, and Harry will give up his honorary military titles.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Security funding plan for Chauvin trial fails in House

A $35 million plan to pay for an additional police presence during the trial of one of the former officers charged in the death of George Floyd failed to pass in the Minnesota House on Thursday. It was the second time this week Democrats tried to pass the bill. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A little more sunshine Friday

Temperatures continue their slow warmup on Friday, and the state sees a bit more sunshine.
by Nicole Mitchell

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Biden takes his 'America's back' message to the world in Munich speech

Biden takes his 'America's back' message to the world in Munich speech

President Joe Biden will try to turn the page on the Trump administration's "America First" ethos in a speech to the Munich Security Conference where he'll try to repair frayed transatlantic ties.
by Franco Ordoñez and Michele Kelemen

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Why Native Americans are getting COVID-19 vaccines faster

Why Native Americans are getting COVID-19 vaccines faster

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe is vaccinating its community at rates faster than the rest of South Dakota. That mirrors a trend in Indian Country which has been hard hit by the coronavirus.
by Kirk Siegler

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Southern cities hit hard by storms face new crisis: No water

Southern cities hit hard by storms face new crisis: No water

Busted water pipes ruptured by record-low temperatures have created a shortage of clean drinking water, forced the closure of the Memphis airport for passenger flights on Friday and left hospitals scrambling to maintain sanitary conditions.
by The Associated Press

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Texas officials warn of price gouging as state faces food, water shortages

Texas officials warn of price gouging as state faces food, water shortages

Houston-area residents are reporting exorbitant prices of food, water and hotel rooms while the state continues to deal with shortages of essential items after a winter storm hit the state.
by Jaclyn Diaz

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Security funding plan for Chauvin trial fails in Minnesota House

Security funding plan for Chauvin trial fails in Minnesota House

A $35 million plan to pay for an additional police presence during the trial of one of the former officers charged in the death of George Floyd failed to pass in the Minnesota House Thursday. It was the second time this week Democrats tried to pass the bill.
by Brian Bakst

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!