Stories from March 3, 2021

Going, going, gone.
Mild temperatures and powerful March sunshine are melting snow quickly across Minnesota.
30 years later, echoes of largest inland oil spill remain in Line 3 fight
About 50 people gathered at the Prairie River near the site of a crude oil spill in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Thirty years ago, on March 3, 1991, the Line 3 oil pipeline ruptured at the site, spilling 1.7 million gallons of crude oil into a wetland and onto the frozen Prairie River. It's still the largest inland oil spill in U.S. history.
New COVID vaccines are here, but there won't be any more for a while, with no more Johnson and Johnson doses expected for at least a week. This is an evening news update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
House prepares to pass landmark voting rights, ethics bill
House Democrats are poised to pass a sweeping elections and ethics bill, offering it up as a powerful counterweight to voting rights restrictions advancing in Republican-controlled statehouses. 
We know Minnesota is not out of the woods for accumulating snow well into April lately. The last three years have brought a string of unprecedented heavy snow events.
Looking back: One year of COVID-19 in Minnesota
It’s been a year since the pandemic upended our lives. What has changed about our understanding of the virus, and how we cope with it day to day? Host Angela Davis looks back with the help of a journalist and an infectious disease doctor.
Cuomo addresses harassment claims, vows to stay in office
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday he intends to remain in office in the face of sexual harassment allegations that have weakened his support and led to calls for his resignation, even from some fellow Democrats.
Reports: Myanmar security forces kill at least 34 protesters
Myanmar security forces dramatically escalated their crackdown on protests against last month’s coup, killing at least 34 protesters Wednesday in several cities, according to accounts on social media and local news reports compiled by a data analyst.
Latino small businesses stay resilient through a ‘pandemic year’
Small businesses have never had it easy and over the past year, things got a lot harder — especially for the Latino business community. Now, one year into pandemic-related restrictions, some resilient small businesses are starting to look to the future.
The thaw continues, but mornings stay icy
A dry and mild pattern continues across Minnesota through the end of the week, causing the snow to erode quickly. That massive melt is contributing to concerns of black ice and fog.
How the White House got 2 pharma rivals to work together on a COVID-19 vaccine
A 15-minute call with Johnson & Johnson executives on a Sunday afternoon stretched into a 75-minute turning point. "We have to take bold action and overwhelm this," a senior official said.
There are so many flavors of potato chips; 'Hooked' looks at why
Investigative reporter Michael Moss explores how some food companies tweak their products to take advantage of evolved biology, creating room for novelty that triggers the brain to make us want more.
Both black ice and fog cause travel concerns Wednesday morning, but otherwise it’s another day of widespread snow melt.
'Steps toward healing': Dakota tribe reclaims its land — and its story
The Lower Sioux Indian Community’s homeland lies along the Minnesota River in Redwood County. Last month, 114 acres, formerly controlled by the state, were transferred back to the tribe. “Steps towards healing is what we need,” tribal Chair Robert Larsen said. ‘And this is one of those steps.”
Minnesota Health Department data shows the state’s vaccination trend line is headed in the right direction. The seven-day rolling average is running at nearly 37,000 a day, the highest it’s been since vaccinations began in late December. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, Mar. 3, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
General: Pentagon hesitated on sending Guard to Capitol riot
The Defense Department took more than three hours to dispatch the National Guard to the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol despite a frantic request for reinforcement from police, according to testimony Wednesday that added to the finger-pointing about the government response.
March 3 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations quicken; Walz upbeat about State Fair
Activities set for “June and beyond, those look pretty promising,” an upbeat Gov. Tim Walz told reporters Wednesday. His remarks came hours after state data shows the vaccination trend line at a new high, while active COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations hold fairly steady.
Drug overdose deaths surge among Black Americans during pandemic
Black Americans with addiction face "pervasive and continuing systemic racism" and often struggle to gain access to treatments that prevent fatal overdoses.
Worried about coronavirus variants? Here's what you need to know
Scientists are spotting new coronavirus variants almost on a daily basis. So far public health experts are still most worried about three important ones.
New center to reframe how we research health disparities
A new grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will support antiracism research in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.