Stories from March 20, 2021

After leaving Isle Royale on an ice bridge, wolf made epic journey
A recently published study details the epic journey of a lone female wolf after leaving Isle Royale National Park on an ice bridge. The wolf was one of the first relocated to the park as part of a landmark effort to bolster the wolf population on the Lake Superior island.
Hundreds in Atlanta rally against hate, demand justice after shootings
"I know there's a lot of fear in the Asian American community — fear to walk outside their door, fear to go to their businesses," said Georgia state Rep. Sam Park. "I want to tell anyone who may be scared today: Do not be afraid. This is our home. This is our country. And we will not go back."
Mild temperatures continue Sunday with areas of rain
South winds will bring another mild day for Sunday, but the sky will be less sunny. Rain will reach northwestern Minnesota Sunday morning and spread east across the north. Scattered showers will break out in the southern half of the state in the afternoon. A much larger, soggier storm system with rain and snow will arrive late on Monday and stay into Wednesday.
New lockdowns in Europe as COVID-19 cases soar; Pakistan's PM tests positive
Several European countries have imposed new lockdown restrictions as COVID-19 cases are surging. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan is self-isolating at home after testing positive for the virus.
The celebration over, Deb Haaland now faces a long to-do list at Interior
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has a long and seemingly insurmountable to-do list, including a pledge to begin repairing a legacy of broken treaties and other abuses against tribes.
Men's and women's NCAA March Madness facilities, separate and unequal, spark uproar
When female athletes saw the workout room the NCAA provided for the women’s basketball tournament bubble — and compared it to the men's — they cried foul. NCAA officials belatedly acknowledged the disparity.
South Dakota governor pushes changes to transgender sports ban
Noem's proposal would limit the ban to high school and elementary sports and exclude collegiate athletics. Opponents of the bill had warned it would cause the state to lose out on millions of dollars if it prompted the NCAA to withdraw tournaments from South Dakota.
Major developments in the Chauvin trial, a potential boom of Johnson & Johnson vaccines heading our way, and checking in with Minnesota’s Asian American communities who are feeling pain and fear after the shootings in Atlanta.
Sunny, mild, windswept Saturday; rain mainly north Sunday
Bright sun and a brisk south wind is warming us nicely for Saturday. Rain will reach northwestern Minnesota Sunday morning and advance eastward across mainly the northern half of the state. A stronger weather system from the southwest will bring rain beginning late Monday in southern Minnesota, eventually changing to snow in the north on Tuesday.
'A Beginner's Guide To America' shows us the States through new eyes
Roya Hakakian was a teenager when she came to the United States from Iran. She says she hopes her book will help native-born Americans see all the small signs of democracy they don't usually notice.
Mild, breezy weekend; wet next week
Sunshine and a strong southerly breeze will treat us to a mild spring weekend. Showers will break out on Sunday beginning in northwestern Minnesota. A stronger weather system will bring prolonged rain, snow and cooler temperatures from later Monday into Wednesday.
How Asian American leaders say the Biden administration can address hate
President Joe Biden has spoken out against a surge of violence directed at Asians and Asian Americans. In the wake of this week’s shootings in the Atlanta area, community leaders are calling for concrete, measurable responses from Biden and his Justice Department.
Ask a bookseller: A picture book about recognizing value where others don’t
Zsamé Morgan travels across Minneapolis and St. Paul with her bookmobile, Babycake’s Book Stack. She is excited to spread the word about the picture book “Daisy” by Jessixa Bagley, which was published at the start of March. 
March 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: 'A race between the variants and the vaccine'
While the state’s made progress in vaccinations, it hasn’t yet vaccinated enough people to establish a herd immunity, and there’s a danger of another surge. Officials suspect the U.K. COVID-19 variant is kindling hot spots around the state.
'Firekeeper's Daughter' forges a new path between cultures and genres
A contemplative exploration of existing between two cultural identities meets fake relationship romance meets backwoods thriller in this powerhouse YA debut from Ojibwe author Angeline Boulley.
Week 2 of Chauvin trial:  A special edition of Minnesota Today
The second week of the Chauvin trial made clearer the who would sit on the jury and what issues will be most important after attorneys make their opening statements, expected on March 29. Race, attitudes toward police and impartiality continued as themes. This is Minnesota Today’s Chauvin trial recap. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.