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Stories from March 15, 2021

Deb Haaland confirmed as first Native American Interior Secretary

Deb Haaland confirmed as first Native American Interior Secretary

Her historic role is also symbolic, as the agency was long a tool of oppression against Indigenous peoples. Haaland will be key to President Biden's ambitious efforts to combat climate change.
by Nathan Rott

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Floyd settlement hangs over Chauvin trial, even as jury selection continues

Floyd settlement hangs over Chauvin trial, even as jury selection continues. Also, Minnesota Department of Health officials issue new concern about UK variant. This is an evening update from Minnesota Public Radio News, hosted by Tim Nelson.

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As second year of emergency begins, GOP again pushes to limit Walz powers

As second year of emergency begins, GOP again pushes to limit Walz powers

Even as DFL Gov. Tim Walz relaxes some long-standing COVID-19 restrictions, Republicans in the Legislature sought once again to limit the emergency powers he has used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
by Brian Bakst

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'The Impudent Ones' shows signs of future greatness

'The Impudent Ones' shows signs of future greatness

Marguerite Duras' never-before-translated debut novel “The Impudent Ones,” first published in 1943, isn't a pleasant read — but it is a signpost to what she would later achieve with “The Lover.”
by Martha Anne Toll

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Why is it taking so long to get high-speed internet to all of greater Minnesota? 

Why is it taking so long to get high-speed internet to all of greater Minnesota? 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks to Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove and the president and CEO of the Blandin Foundation about how the pandemic underscored the need for better broadband. 
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Major European nations suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine

Major European nations suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine

Germany, France and Italy on Monday became the latest countries to suspend use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine over reports of dangerous blood clots in some recipients, though the company and European regulators have said there is no evidence the shot is to blame.
by The Associated Press

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What do domestic extremists and ISIS have in common? A social media strategy

What do domestic extremists and ISIS have in common? A social media strategy

People who stormed the Capitol were radicalized by what they consumed online and in social media. That should sound familiar: Ten years ago, ISIS used a similar strategy to lure Americans to Syria.
by Dina Temple-Raston

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2 charged in assault of Capitol officer who died after riot

2 charged in assault of Capitol officer who died after riot

U.S. officials have arrested and charged two men with assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with bear spray during the Jan. 6 riot, but they do not know yet whether it caused the officer's death.
by The Associated Press

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Ep. 14: The kids are alright

Ep. 14: The kids are alright

This week in The Warming House, we reveal more winners in our Great Minnesota Burger Bracket competition, Gov. Tim Walz goes head-to-head with his daughter Hope for Smarter Than Your College Kid and if you don't know what-in-the-*beep* Kidz Bop is, you're gonna find out! (Sorry, not sorry.)
by Nina Moini, Sean McPherson and Tiffany Hanssen

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Politics preview: What’s ahead at the state Capitol

New dialbacks in Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions take effect at noon on Monday. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are still grappling with how to best to aid businesses and communities going forward.
by Cathy Wurzer and MPR News Staff

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Syria's civil war started a decade ago. Here's where it stands

Syria's civil war started a decade ago. Here's where it stands

The conflict has not only pitted the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad against a band of rebels, but drawn the U.S., Iran, Russia and Turkey, among others, into a complex proxy war.
by Ruth Sherlock and Scott Neuman

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Read more romance by Black authors

Read more romance by Black authors

A new report on race and romance novels finds that although many publishers have promised to publish more romance from writers of color that feature diverse characters, very little progress has been made.
by Kerri Miller

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'Mank' leads Academy Awards nominations with 10 nods

'Mank' leads Academy Awards nominations with 10 nods

David Fincher's "Mank" has led nominations to the 93rd Academy Awards with 10 nods, and for the first time, two women — Chloé Zhao and Emerald Fennell — were nominated for best director.
by The Associated Press

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Parts of southern Minnesota could get 6+ inches of snow

Parts of southern Minnesota could get 6+ inches of snow

Most of southern Minnesota is under either a winter storm warning or winter weather advisory through Monday evening, including the western and southern Twin Cities metro area.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Vatican excludes gay union blessing

Vatican excludes gay union blessing

The Vatican decreed Monday that the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions.
by The Associated Press

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Planning a spring break? These 5 tips can help minimize risk

Planning a spring break? These 5 tips can help minimize risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still advises against nonessential travel, but many infectious disease experts say a trip to the beach or a family vacation can be done pretty safely if you do it right.
by Allison Aubrey

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Chauvin trial: Halfway to a jury as new week begins

Jury selection continues Monday in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-police officer facing murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of George Floyd. The work this week starts in the wake of a historic $27 million settlement announced Friday between the city and Floyd’s family. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, March 15, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Beyoncé, Swift make history as women rule the Grammys

Beyoncé, Swift make history as women rule the Grammys

Beyoncé — with her 28th win — became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. Four women won the top four prizes, including Taylor Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times.
by The Associated Press

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March 15 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination pace flat; Carver Co. worries grow

March 15 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination pace flat; Carver Co. worries grow

Active case counts have been rising slowly over the past week, upping the urgency to get people vaccinated quickly. Officials are increasingly concerned about a Carver County outbreak that includes two deaths and the very contagious U.K. strain.
by MPR News Staff

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Pandemic brought more people outdoors — and parks are planning for a busier future

Pandemic brought more people outdoors — and parks are planning for a busier future

The pandemic has inspired a surge of interest in outdoor recreation. Some in the industry predict lasting interest in being outside, long after the pandemic and its demand for social distancing have passed.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Chauvin trial: Civil settlement roils criminal case; 9th juror chosen

Chauvin trial: Civil settlement roils criminal case; 9th juror chosen

Derek Chauvin’s attorney told the court Monday he wants his client’s criminal trial postponed following Friday's news of a $27 million civil settlement between Minneapolis and George Floyd’s family. The judge says he'll consider it.
by Riham Feshir, Brandt Williams and Jon Collins

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'Useful Delusions' examines how beliefs can be powerful in positive and negative ways

'Useful Delusions' examines how beliefs can be powerful in positive and negative ways

In a new book, former NPR reporter Shankar Vedantam suggests attaining "a deeper psychological understanding of why people believe what they believe," being empathetic and considering costs involved.
by Steve Inskeep

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How the pandemic can reinvent schools and learning

How the pandemic can reinvent schools and learning

Keynote speakers from the Global Minnesota’s International Day of Education event in January: California’s Linda Darling-Hammond and Audrey Azoulay of UNESCO.
by MPR News Staff

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