Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

Stories from March 12, 2021

Mapping Máaz: NASA uses Navajo language to name features on Mars

Mapping Máaz: NASA uses Navajo language to name features on Mars

Members of NASA's Perseverance rover team, in collaboration with the Navajo Nation, have been naming features of scientific interest with words in the Navajo language.
by Catherine Whelan

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 look at big settlements in U.S. police killings

A look at big settlements in U.S. police killings

The attorney for George Floyd’s family says a $27 million settlement by the city of Minneapolis is the largest pretrial civil rights settlement ever. It “sends a powerful message that Black lives do matter and police brutality against people of color must end,” says attorney Ben Crump.
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!
Coronavirus FAQs: Can I drink between vaccine doses? What is 'vaccine efficacy'?

Coronavirus FAQs: Can I drink between vaccine doses? What is 'vaccine efficacy'?

People who've had dose one are wondering — “Can I have a few drinks before dose 2 or will that muck things up?” Also: Do you really understand the concept of "vaccine efficacy"? It's complicated!
by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

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!

Minneapolis council OKs historic $27M settlement for George Floyd's family

The Minneapolis City Council Friday approved a record $27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd. Until now, the largest misconduct payout in state history was the $20 million settlement in 2019 for the family of Justine Ruszczyk, shot and killed by former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor after she called 911. Also, Gov. Walz announced a major rollback of COVID-19 restrictions. This is the afternoon MPR News update for March 12, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music 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!

Top Foxconn executive buys $2M home in Wisconsin

 A top Foxconn Technology Group executive has purchased a $2.18 million home in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Alan Yeung and his wife, Stella Chan, bought the home in Elm Grove on March 5.
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!
Biden and 'Quad' leaders launch vaccine push, deepen coordination against China

Biden and 'Quad' leaders launch vaccine push, deepen coordination against China

The president was joined virtually by the leaders of Japan, India and Australia, in his first multilateral leaders' meeting. They launched a plan to boost vaccine production and distribution in Asia.
by John Ruwitch 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!
In the pandemic's first year, three huge losses in one family

In the pandemic's first year, three huge losses in one family

The Aldaco family of Phoenix suffered more than most in this year of unfathomable losses. Three brothers perished in the pandemic: Jose in July, Heriberto in December and Gonzalo in February.
by Will Stone

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!
Netflix tests out a possible password-sharing crackdown

Netflix tests out a possible password-sharing crackdown

Netflix is testing a way to crack down on password sharing. The streaming service has been asking some users of the popular streaming site to verify that they live with the holder of the account.
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!
Talking Volumes: A conversation with Reginald Dwayne Betts

Talking Volumes: A conversation with Reginald Dwayne Betts

Reginald Dwayne Betts animates the ideals of justice, integrity and equity in his work as both an attorney and a poet. He went to prison as a teenager for carjacking and later went to Yale to study law. He joined MPR News host Kerri Miller on the virtual Talking Volumes stage for a conversation about race, criminal justice and reading.
by Kerri Miller

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!
Minneapolis council approves $27M Floyd family settlement

Minneapolis council approves $27M Floyd family settlement

It’s a record payout for the city. George Floyd was killed in May while in police custody. “If I could get him back, I would give all of this back,” Philonise Floyd, George’s brother, said of the settlement. “America, we need to heal. This nation needs healing. Our family needs healing.”
by Jon Collins

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!

Effort to increase teachers of color finds bipartisan support at state Capitol

More than a third of the state’s K-12 learners are students of color, but fewer than 6 percent of teachers in Minnesota are educators of color. A set of bills at the state Legislature to close that gap, the Increase Teachers of Color Act, has garnered bipartisan support this year.
by Cathy Wurzer 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!

50s and possibly 60s for part of the weekend

Following cooler weather Friday, temperatures rebound over the weekend, but another storm system brings back cooler weather and snow chances to start next week.
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!
AP-NORC poll: People of color bear COVID-19's economic brunt

AP-NORC poll: People of color bear COVID-19's economic brunt

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that compared with white Americans, Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to have experienced job and other income losses during the pandemic, and those who have lost income are more likely to have found themselves in deep financial holes.
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!

Seasonably cool for Friday

Following higher than average temperatures most of the week, cooler weather Friday brings the state closer to our March averages.
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!
'One take, no CG': How that viral Bryant Lake Bowl drone video was made

'One take, no CG': How that viral Bryant Lake Bowl drone video was made

The video includes jaw-dropping shots such as sneaking past two people through the front door and flying through a tight space where the bowling lanes meet the pin machines. Here’s how the creators pulled it all off.

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!

Gov. Walz to ease COVID-19 restrictions

Gov. Tim Walz is set to announce a major pullback on Minnesota’s remaining COVID-19 restrictions Friday, almost a year after he first imposed emergency measures. Walz said Thursday that it would be his biggest move yet in easing restrictions on proms, sports and other larger gatherings. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, March 12, 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!
Slick Tom Cruise deepfakes signal that near flawless forgeries may be here

Slick Tom Cruise deepfakes signal that near flawless forgeries may be here

When they're not lighthearted movie star cameos, the digital doppelgängers have scary disinformation potential. A deepfakes researcher hopes our wariness keeps up with the tech's quickening advances.
by Emma Bowman

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!
March 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations up; U campuses to reopen fully in fall

March 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations up; U campuses to reopen fully in fall

New numbers show vaccinations heading in the right direction. The University of Minnesota said Friday it will return to full on-campus operations for the fall semester as Gov. Tim Walz eases COVID-19 restrictions. Other schools are likely to follow.
by 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!
Chauvin trial: 7th juror seated; Mpls. to pay $27M to settle Floyd family lawsuit

Chauvin trial: 7th juror seated; Mpls. to pay $27M to settle Floyd family lawsuit

The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously agreed to a $27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd. The settlement was announced Friday as jury selection continues in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former officer charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death.
by Brandt Williams, Jon Collins and Riham Feshir

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!
'Normalcy on the horizon': Walz OKs larger gatherings, fans at Twins games

'Normalcy on the horizon': Walz OKs larger gatherings, fans at Twins games

Gov. Tim Walz’s latest pullback will let people gather in larger groups indoors and outdoors, while bars and restaurants will be able to serve at 75 percent capacity. The May fishing opener also looks like a go. “We’re beating this thing,” Walz said Friday.
by Tim Pugmire and Peter Cox

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!
Shuttered venue grants are coming in April, after a long wait

Shuttered venue grants are coming in April, after a long wait

The live music industry breathed a sigh of relief when Congress passed a $15 billion grant program for struggling venues. But owners still face uncertainty and delays.
by Andrew Limbong

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!
Moderna and Pfizer on track to hit vaccine production goals

Moderna and Pfizer on track to hit vaccine production goals

Pfizer and Moderna each agreed to supply 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the U.S. by the end of March. With just under three weeks left, both companies have their work cut out for them.
by Sydney Lupkin

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!