Stories from March 22, 2021

NOAA upgrades forecasts as climate change drives more severe storms
The computer model that predicts the weather is getting more power. Climate change is upping the stakes for forecasters as extreme weather gets more common and residents demand earlier warnings.
Authorities say a 6-year-old boy died from a fatal gunshot wound in a Moorhead apartment where he was left Sunday night with several other unsupervised children.
Police: 10 people killed in Colorado supermarket shooting
Police say 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. Boulder police Chief Maris Herold said at a news conference Monday night that a suspect is in custody and is getting medical treatment.
Minnesota's COVID toll takes a pause for the first time in nearly a year, as jury selection winds down in the Derek Chauvin trial. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Elgin Baylor, silky-smooth Lakers Hall of Famer, dies at 86
Elgin Baylor, the Lakers’ 11-time NBA All-Star who soared through the 1960s with a high-scoring style of basketball that became the model for the modern player, died Monday.
A 300-year-old tale of one woman's quest to stop a deadly virus
In 1721, London was in the grips of a deadly smallpox epidemic. One woman learned how to stop it, but her solution sowed political division.
Chippewa tribes blast Wisconsin wolf hunt, say it was about killing
Chippewa tribal officials in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan have blasted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for putting on what they say was a poorly planned wolf season during which state-licensed hunters blew past their quota in a matter of days.
Utility bills are hitting Minnesotans harder than ever
Host Angela Davis is joined by two guests to talk about the impact of the pandemic and extreme weather on low-income households’ ability to pay utility bills, and what resources are available for Minnesotans who need help.
Out of whack: Lack of homes for sale sends prices surging, frustrates buyers
Sales of existing homes fell 6.6 percent in February from the month before. Meanwhile, prices are up 16 percent over the past year, giving homeowners about $2 trillion more in equity and widening the wealth gap.
Biden sends top officials to Mexico as border surge continues
Two members of President Joe Biden's National Security Council, Roberta Jacobson and Juan Gonzalez, will travel to Mexico, a senior administration official told reporters.
Saudi Arabia offers cease-fire plan to Yemen rebels
Saudi Arabia announced a plan Monday to offer Yemen's Houthi rebels a cease-fire in the country's yearslong war and allow a major airport to reopen in its capital, the kingdom's latest attempt to halt fighting that has sparked the world's worst humanitarian crisis in the Arab world's poorest nation.
Elton John opens his Oscar night party to all this year
Attending Elton John's long-running Oscar-night party has always been one of the hardest tickets to get. Now you can go — if you have $20.
COVID cases surge in Europe. Could the U.S. experience another wave?
Europe is struggling with a third wave of coronavirus cases, leading to new restrictions and lockdowns. Here in the United States, the nation’s leading health officials say it’s a race between the vaccines and the variants.
Ep. 15: Friends, not food!
Spring officially sprung this week and things were definitely poppin' in The Warming House. Between the equinox, Norwuz (Persian New Year), #meatlessmarch, NCAA basketball madness, and our very own Great Minnesota Burger Bracket, we were certifiably giddy.
After a mostly quiet Monday, precipitation moves in late and brings parts of Minnesota a soaking rain that lingers through midweek.
Minnesota may add climate impacts to environmental review
Changes to Minnesota's environmental review program would require proposers to add up their project’s carbon footprint — and consider ways to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.
The weather remains relatively quiet Monday, until a major storm starts to push in rain from the south.
Miami Beach curfew aims to shut down spring break partying
Miami Beach officials are extending an emergency 8 p.m. curfew for at least another week. Sunday's decision by city commissioners comes after days of intense partying, where unruly crowds gathered by the thousands on South Beach, fighting in the streets, destroying property and ignoring masks and other COVID-19 orders.
A flurry of key decisions Friday has set a path for Derek Chauvin’s trial to start on time and stay in place. A jury of 12 plus two alternates is within reach Monday, although the court may end up choosing as many as 16 jurors to serve. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, March 22, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
AstraZeneca: U.S. data shows vaccine effective for all adults
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection against disease and complete protection against hospitalization and death across all age groups in a late-stage U.S. study, the company announced Monday.
March 22 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination pace flat; no new deaths reported
The race is on to vaccinate Minnesotans quickly enough to avoid another statewide COVID-19 surge. The state did get some good news Monday — zero new deaths reported, the first time that’s happened since mid-April.
Chauvin trial: 1 more juror to choose; opening statements draw near
A juror selected Monday brought the total to 14, enough for a jury of 12 plus two alternates. The judge intends to seat one more juror. The trial is set to start on time with opening statements expected March 29.
Minnesota lawmakers in final push before holiday break
With four days left before an extended break, the Legislature is looking to break its logjam on time-sensitive items.
Humankind documentary: Ida B. Wells' Battle to Uncover the Truth
Born into slavery, Ida B. Wells became a ground-breaking investigative reporter in the 1890s exposing the domestic terrorism practiced by white supremacists. This Humankind special tells the true story of a fearless journalist, whose life was threatened while she revealed the truth.
Weather observer program seeks more volunteers from around Minnesota
As Minnesota heads into the spring and summer thunderstorm season, volunteer observers across the state will be sharing weather reports from their communities. And there's an effort underway to get more observers signed up.
New effort to clean up space junk prepares to launch
Known as ELSA-d, the mission will demonstrate technology that could help capture space junk, the millions of pieces of orbital debris that float above Earth.
More Black and Latinx Americans are embracing COVID-19 vaccination
In late 2020, national surveys found that Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely than white respondents to say they planned to get a vaccine. Surveys done in the past month suggest that gap has diminished or disappeared.