Stories from March 24, 2021

Springy: Highs in the 70s in sight
The warmest air mass of 2021 blows into Minnesota in the next two weeks.
School counselors on how to support students through a trial and COVID-19
As most Minnesota students now have the option to be back in school for in-person learning, there are still many distractions, like the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Host Angela Davis talked with two school counselors on strategies they’re using with kids who are stressed out or struggling in school.
State Supreme Court has a surprising ruling on consent in sex assault cases, saying intoxication doesn’t necessarily qualify for incapacitation. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Stunning new image of black hole reveals surrounding magnetic fields
The Event Horizon Telescope project, which produced the world's first image of a black hole in 2019 in the M87 galaxy, unveiled a new view of its magnetic fields as captured by polarized light.
Women's soccer stars join Biden to promote closing pay gap
President Joe Biden is making the case that the pay disparity between men and women has hurt the economy. This Wednesday marks “Equal Pay Day” — which is how far into the year women must work on average to make up the pay disparity between what men and women earned the prior year.
There are 45,000 laws, policies and administrative sanctions in the U.S. that target people with criminal records. Reuben Jonathan Miller researches how they affect people's lives in Halfway Home.
3 things to know about immigrants' contributions to Minnesota's economy
A new report from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce analyzed immigrants’ contributions to the state economy. From health care to agriculture, Minnesota industries wouldn’t be as robust without immigrants, the numbers show.
Popcorn machine nixed at North Dakota Capitol after alarms
A popcorn machine has been removed from the North Dakota Capitol after it twice triggered fire alarms that brought firefighters to the building this week and caused legislators to evacuate.
 How climate change impacts health
Host Angela Davis talks to MPR News meteorologist Paul Huttner and two Minnesota doctors about the health impacts of warm winters, heavy rains, more pollen, wildfire smoke and the other effects of climate change.
Biden taps VP Harris to lead response to border challenges
President Joe Biden has tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the White House effort to tackle the migration challenge at the U.S. southern border.
First dogs return to White House after Major Biden causes minor injury
Champ and Major Biden are back in Washington, D.C., after spending some time in Delaware, where Major underwent remedial training after causing a "minor injury" at the White House earlier this month.
U.S. outlook improving as vaccinations rise and deaths fall
More than three months into the U.S. vaccination drive, many of the numbers paint an increasingly encouraging picture. Seventy percent of Americans 65 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and COVID-19 deaths have dipped below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November. 
Records suggest defendant called 911 during Minnesota attack
Emergency dispatch transcripts show that among the calls to 911 reporting a shooting at a health clinic in Minnesota last month was one that apparently came from the man who said he carried out the attack.
Lawsuit seeks greater protection for endangered bumblebee
Conservation groups want a federal court to require more protection for the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year decided not to order special habitat protections to help the bee population recover.
40,000 evacuated, at least 2 dead in massive Australian floods
Torrential rain has inundated parts of Australia, forcing evacuations and sending waterfalls down the side of the country's majestic — and normally arid — Uluru rocks.
A tractor-trailer crash dumped tons of gypsum drywall into the roadway in the Lowry Hill Tunnel Wednesday morning, backing up traffic for miles.
Rain and even areas of snow continue across Minnesota much of Wednesday, then the weather briefly turns quieter before another rain and snow chance on Saturday.
George Floyd’s family and friends say when they saw him take his last breath on video, they were left in tears. They remember him as an athlete, a gentle giant, and as someone who didn’t deserve to be killed. MPR News reporter Riham Feshir brings us a remembrance of George Floyd through the voices of those who knew him, and who watched his televised death in shock.
UConn's Bueckers, Iowa's Clark dominating women's tourney
Paige Bueckers, a Hopkins High School graduate, and Caitlin Clark seem to be playing a personal game of horse on the national stage. After one delivers a highlight-filled performance, the other has a top-this moment.
Masks and gloves are saving lives — and causing pollution
Disposable masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment have safeguarded untold lives during the pandemic. They're also creating a worldwide pollution problem, littering streets and sending an influx of harmful plastic into landfills and oceans.
The persistent rain much of Minnesota has seen since Tuesday continues Wednesday morning, and for portions of northern Minnesota it has turned to snow.
New data highlight disparities in students learning in person
The first federal survey on school reopening shows racial and geographic differences in participation in full-time, in-person learning.
Forecasters used nine Greek letters to name the final storms of last year's Atlantic hurricane season. This year, the National Hurricane Center has a new plan.
The 15th and final juror has been seated for the trial of ex-Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death, with opening statements set for Monday. The man will be dismissed if none of the other jurors drop out by Monday. The court is in recess until then. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Official: Colorado shooting suspect prone to rage, delusions
Law enforcement officials and former associates of a 21-year-old accused of killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket described the suspect as someone prone to sudden rage who was suspended from high school for a sudden attack on a classmate that left the student bloodied.
March 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination pace flat; ICU cases rising
Will vaccinations be able to outrun the COVID-19 variants, including the highly contagious U.K. strain? The latest numbers show the state’s vaccination pace plateauing while active cases and hospitalizations rise.
Boom or bubble? Skeptics take aim at buzzy electric vehicle market
A ton of new vehicle start-ups are trying to follow in Tesla's footsteps but a battle between one electric pickup maker and a short seller shows how the heavily hyped industry is also a risky one.
The future of the pandemic in the U.S.: Experts look ahead
Many public health experts are now increasingly optimistic about how the pandemic is playing out in the U.S.. Here's what they say we can expect for the rest of 2021.
Michael Sandel on contributing to the common good
Michael Sandel speaks at the Institute for Freedom and Community at St. Olaf College about his book, “The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?”
Black leaders launch effort to close Minnesota's racial disparities
A new effort is taking shape to address Minnesota's persistent racial inequality, and organizers say it will be shaped and driven by the Black community.