Stories from April 14, 2021

2021 Whiting Awards honor 10 soon-to-be-big writers
The winners of this year's Whiting Awards have been announced; the $50,000 prize honors emerging writers, with the aim of enabling them to concentrate full-time on their work.
Minnesota's DNR commissioner answers your questions on how to get outdoors
Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen joins host Angela Davis to talk about the benefits of getting outside and what the state is doing to improve access to outdoor spaces and experiences.
U.S. health officials continue pause of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
An expert advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided it needed more time to consider whether to recommend the restart administration of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson.
MN House panel moves to change police powers
Minnesota lawmakers moved bills out of a House committee Wednesday that are designed to hold police more accountable to the members of the public they serve.
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput on Wednesday said he is filing a second-degree manslaughter charge against former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Wednesday, April 14, 2021, hosted by Catharine Richert. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Ex-FDA chief sees 'struggle' to vaccinate more than half U.S. population
Dr. Scott Gottlieb doesn't expect enough demand for the vaccine much beyond 160 million Americans. But he says there may eventually be enough immunity to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Journalist investigates 'crime story' of the Sackler family and the opioid crisis
“Empire of Pain” author Patrick Radden Keefe says the Sackler family has "thrown a lot of energy" into trying to thwart his reporting about the family's involvement in the opioid crisis.
Lake ice out 2 to 3 weeks earlier than average up north
Many big lakes are now ice-free in central and northern Minnesota. It’s happening two to three weeks earlier than average. Many lakes showing near-record early ice out this year.
As of Wednesday, thousands of middle and high schoolers in St. Paul are back in classrooms. Many districts around the state have already brought older students back, but St. Paul and Minneapolis — two of the largest districts — are just now navigating the transition.
Brooklyn Center renters blame police for chaos at Daunte Wright protests
Residents of apartments near the police station have needed to move their children to get away from the tear gas that floats in. They blame the police for the chaos on the lawn in front of their buildings.
Biden administration moves to undo Trump abortion rules for Title X
The Trump administration tried to "defund" Planned Parenthood and other groups through changes to the Title X family planning program. The Biden administration is proposing reversing those rules.
Understanding the temporary pause on J&J vaccines as the variants spread
If it’s a race between the vaccines and the variants, the variants got a boost on Tuesday, when the U.S. announced a temporary pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccines. What does that mean for the sprint to vaccinate adults?
Loneliness is rampant. A simple call, or hug, may be a cure
The pandemic has made loneliness inescapable around the globe and the health care community says it's time to seek solutions. Evidence suggests loneliness can damage health as much as obesity and smoking. 
Brooklyn Center mayor thrust into policing debate
The shooting of Daunte Wright, a Black man, by a white police officer has set off protests, political upheaval and painful reckoning about racism and representation in Mayor Mike Elliott’s city.
Once on the brink of eradication, syphilis is raging again
Syphilis cases in California have contributed to soaring national caseloads of sexually transmitted diseases. Experts point to the advent of dating apps, decreased condom use and an increase in meth.
Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff dies in prison at 82
Bernard Madoff, the infamous architect of an epic securities swindle that burned thousands of investors, outfoxed regulators and earned him a 150-year prison term, died in a federal prison early Wednesday. He was 82.
Wisconsin Supreme Court says governor can't limit capacity
The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that Gov. Tony Evers' administration does not have the authority to issue capacity limits on bars, restaurants and other businesses without approval of the Legislature, a ruling that comes two weeks after the conservative-controlled court struck down the state's mask mandate.
Precipitation slowly ends Wednesday, and temperatures rise through the end of the week, but overall, the state stays stuck in a cooler trend.
Bill to create commission on reparations nears historic House vote
The bill would create a commission that would study the effects of slavery and racial discrimination, hold hearings and recommend "appropriate remedies" to Congress.
Biden to address joint session of Congress on April 28
The speech will come just before President Joe Biden's 100th day in office, and will provide him an opportunity to update the American public on his progress toward fulfilling his promises. It will also give him a chance to make the case for the $2.3 trillion infrastructure package he unveiled earlier this month, which the House is aiming to pass by July 4.
Areas of light rain and snow slowly move out Wednesday, but the entire days stays mostly cloudy and cool.
New method aims to herd, capture invasive carp in Mississippi
Last week, a team of biologists and technicians from state and federal agencies captured and harvested invasive carp from a stretch of the Mississippi River in far southeastern Minnesota. It was part scientific survey, part defensive battle against a notorious aquatic invader that has been steadily progressing up the Mississippi.
Officer who shot Wright to face 2nd-degree manslaughter charge
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput on Wednesday said he is filing a second-degree manslaughter charge against former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott on Tuesday called for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to handle the case of Daunte Wright, the 20-year-old who was killed Sunday by a Brooklyn Center police officer during a traffic stop. Elliott also said that Kim Potter, the officer who shot Wright, has resigned, as has Tim Gannon, who was the city’s police chief. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
April 14 update on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccinations slow amid Johnson and Johnson 'pause'
The temporary pause in new Johnson & Johnson vaccine shipments mean Minnesota’s vaccine supply won’t rise for another week or more, a setback to earlier hopes that vaccination rates would keep accelerating throughout April.
Chauvin trial: Former Maryland medical examiner says Floyd's manner of death 'undetermined'
Dr. David Fowler testified that George Floyd died of cardiac arrhythmia during the police restraint, but that methamphetamine and fentanyl, carbon monoxide exposure from the squad car, tumors and adrenaline contributed to his death.
Carbon emissions could plummet. The atmosphere will lag behind
The U.S. plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically in the next decade. Scientists say it's crucial that the U.S. succeed. Still, many of the positive effects won't arrive for decades.