Stories from February 28, 2021

A chapter in U.S. history often ignored: The flight of runaway slaves to Mexico
As the U.S. Treasury considers putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill to honor her role in the northbound Underground Railroad, new attention is being paid to the often overlooked southbound route that brought enslaved people to freedom in Mexico.
Trump calls for GOP unity, repeats lies about election loss
Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump on Sunday called for Republican Party unity, even as he exacerbated intraparty divisions and trumpeted lies about the election.
People share 'the moment' they realized the pandemic was changing life as they knew it
It's been nearly a year since the World Health Organization officially declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro asked people to share the moment they realized COVID-19 was changing their lives.
Obesity specialist says BMI is a 'good measure' for vaccine priority plans
As some cities and states offer vaccine appointments for people with a BMI of at least 30 — the medical benchmark for obesity — Dr. Fatima Stanford pushes back against the shame faced by those with the disease.
Updated snow reports and a look at the week ahead
We have some additional snow reports to relay to you, plus a look at who may see some flakes overnight. Temps retreat on Monday, but they rebound nicely on Tuesday.
U.N. Human Rights Office says 18 killed in Myanmar crackdown
Security forces in Myanmar opened fire and made mass arrests Sunday as they sought to break up protests against the military’s seizure of power, and a U.N. human rights official said it had “credible information” that 18 people were killed and 30 were wounded.
It's not just Texas: The entire energy grid needs an upgrade for extreme weather
The U.S. power grid was designed for technology and weather that existed in the 1950s, '60s and '70s, says energy consultant Alison Silverstein. Now, she says, it needs to be updated for a future that includes climate change.
Feb. 28 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations reach new record high
Minnesota set a new record for COVID-19 vaccinations Sunday, with nearly 70,000 new doses reported. That beats the old record, set the day before, of around 56,000 doses.
Minnesota offering more energy assistance in wake of severe winter weather
The Minnesota Department of Commerce says qualifying households can now receive up to $1,200 in emergency energy assistance this year, up from the usual $600 maximum, in the wake of this month’s severe winter weather that drove up utility costs.
Sunday snow update and a look at the week ahead
There have been some impressive snow totals in parts of Minnesota. We take a look at that, plus the forecast for the rest of today and a peek at the week ahead.
Snow reports from around Minnesota
Parts of central and western Minnesota saw more than a half-foot of snow on Sunday, as Saturday’s spring-like conditions were followed by a rapid return to winter to end February across much of the state.
'Not a good idea': Experts concerned about pope's upcoming trip to Iraq
Infectious disease experts are expressing concern about Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to Iraq, given a sharp rise in coronavirus infections there, a fragile health care system and the unavoidable likelihood that Iraqis will crowd to see him.
Sunday morning snow, breezy and cooler
Snow continues Sunday morning, with heavy snow in some areas. We have the updated forecast details.
Two people are dead and a sheriff's deputy was wounded after an attempted traffic stop ended in gunfire Saturday night in Wadena County. It’s the third fatal police shooting in the state in less than a week.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Saturday that a Duluth man who fatally shot a police dog and engaged in a nearly 20-hour standoff with authorities was shot and killed by law enforcement.
Snow moves in Saturday night, lingers into Sunday morning
Many areas will see accumulating snow Saturday night and early Sunday. We have details on that, plus a look at temps for Sunday and into the beginning of March.