Stories from March 26, 2021

Rejected by 1 Mexican port of entry, migrants are flown by U.S. to another
Some areas on the border in Mexico are refusing to take back unauthorized migrants expelled by the United States, so U.S. authorities are flying them to where Mexican officials will accept them.
Daily Mail seeks to reverse order denying trial credentials
The British newspaper has asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals to swiftly throw out a judge’s order denying it credentials for a former police officer’s trial in George Floyd’s death. 
Children's author Beverly Cleary, creator of Ramona Quimby, dies at 104
Beverly Cleary, the celebrated children’s author whose memories of her Oregon childhood were shared with millions through the likes of Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Henry Huggins, has died at age 104.
Showery Saturday ahead; sunny and nicer Sunday
Saturday brings scattered rain showers to much of Minnesota. It will be just cold enough for snow showers across northern Minnesota Saturday.
'Split-second decision' defense may not work for Chauvin
For most police officers going on trial, the argument that they made a split-second decision in a life-or-death situation often carries significant weight for a jury. It's a reason why officers are so rarely convicted. But it's an argument that's almost certainly not available to Derek Chauvin, who goes on trial Monday in George Floyd's death.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry dies at 84
Larry McMurtry penned books and screenplays during a career that spanned over half a century, often depicting the American West. He won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for “Lonesome Dove,” the tale of a cattle drive during the 1870s. 
Analysis: No, western Minnesota won't leave for South Dakota. Here's why
A bill at the Capitol to let western Minnesota decamp for South Dakota is intriguing, but it’s not a demographic and economic marriage made in heaven. MPR News data reporter David Montgomery crunched the numbers and finds it’s a hard road to South Dakota-sota.
Trains crash in southern Egypt, killing at least 32
Two trains crashed Friday in southern Egypt, killing at least 32 people and injuring 165, authorities said in the latest of a series of deadly accidents on the country’s troubled railways.
Gov. Tim Walz Friday formally announced the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expansion to all adults 16 years and older beginning next week. He emphasized that not everyone will be able to get an appointment right away. Meanwhile, active cases and hospitalizations edge higher. This is the afternoon MPR News update for March 26, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Listeners react to state's COVID-19 vaccine expansion
Gov. Tim Walz spoke on Friday about why the state will be opening up vaccine eligibility to all Minnesotans 16 and older. Host Angela Davis and reporter Catharine Richert talked about the announcement and took listener calls.
Pelosi names D.C. National Guard commander as new House sergeant-at-arms
The appointment of the first Black American sergeant-at-arms for the House comes as Congress works to overhaul its security procedures in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. court sides with photographer in fight over Warhol art
A U.S. appeals court sided with a photographer Friday in her copyright dispute over how a foundation has marketed a series of Andy Warhol works of art based on her pictures of Prince.
A suburban Minneapolis dinner theater has scrapped plans for a production of “Cinderella” because the cast was mostly white and it didn’t fit with its efforts to become more diverse. Instead of putting on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres will make its next production “Footloose.”
We’ll have some variety in our weekend weather. Sunday is looking like the nicer day of the weekend. We have details on who will see some rain or snow on Saturday, plus the weekend temperature forecast.
Coronavirus FAQ: To travel or not to travel? Plus, tattoos and vaccines can mix
Airports are getting busier, but the CDC hasn't issued new guidelines for vaccinated folks. What's a wannabe traveler to do? And is it OK to get a vaccine if you just got tattooed? Or have no spleen?
'Break the back of this pandemic': Walz OKs shots for all 16 and older
“Vaccines in arms is how we beat this thing," Gov. Tim Walz said Friday. He emphasized that shot providers will continue to prioritize vaccinations for the state’s most vulnerable residents even as the eligibility pool widens.
Why Boulder is trying to keep the focus on victims, not the shooter
As Boulder, Colo., police try to find a motive in Monday's mass shooting that left 10 dead, community leaders are struggling to keep the focus on victims and their families, not the alleged gunman.
Talking Volumes: A conversation with author Chang-rae Lee
Award-winning and New York Times best-selling author Chang-rae Lee’s past works have incorporated issues of race, class and immigration in the United States. MPR News guest host Brandt Williams interviewed Lee as part of Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune’s Talking Volumes: Talking Race series.
A weak storm brings showers across Minnesota into Saturday, then a big warmup pushes temperatures 20 degrees above average by Monday.
Where is the line drawn on impartiality? Chauvin’s trial offers a glimpse into juror elimination
Having people of color on the jury eases activist concerns about reaching a fair and just verdict. But the jury selection process has provided a window into an imperfect system that legal observers say highlights larger philosophical questions about impartiality and fairness. 
Friday brings another mild and mostly dry day, although western Minnesota will see some isolated rain showers.
Dominion Voting sues Fox for $1.6B over 2020 election claims
Dominion Voting Systems on Friday filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, arguing the cable news giant falsely claimed in an effort to boost faltering ratings that the voting company had rigged the 2020 election.
Minnesota will expand COVID-19 vaccination to all state residents 16 and older starting Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Tim Walz. The expansion marks a major milestone in Minnesota's vaccine strategy. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, March 26, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Fact check: Biden skews figures on border, taxes, more
President Joe Biden on Thursday misstated the reality at the U.S.-Mexico border when he asserted that "nothing has changed" when it comes to the number of children coming to the United States since his predecessor, Donald Trump, was in office. The numbers are up since Biden became president on Jan. 20.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases climb; vaccination pace stays flat
Friday’s Health Department data helps explain the rising urgency to expand the vaccine eligibility pool. The state remains stuck in a pattern where the vaccination pace has leveled off while active cases and hospitalizations edge higher.
Before George Floyd was killed, the police killings of other Black men in Minnesota generated public pressure to prosecute the officers. MPR News reporter Jon Collins has covered several of these shootings and their aftermaths. He explains the significance of the current trial over George Floyd’s death.
'Walk one day in our shoes': Life near minimum wage
A juicy prime rib. A glossy art book. A few days off work without worrying about bills. These are the unreachable desires of some of America's workers earning close to minimum wage.
Latina entrepreneurs find a space online to thrive in pandemic
Facebook Live boutique events provide needed income for entrepreneurs and create a virtual space for community members to come together in an isolated world. One Minnesota entrepreneur is among those finding success.
5 takeaways from Big Tech's misinformation hearing
The leaders of Facebook, Twitter and Google were not eager to admit fault when it comes to bad information on their platforms, but it's clear Congress is getting closer to regulation.