Stories from April 23, 2021

If you have outdoor activities planned for the weekend, I hope that those activities are taking place on Saturday — Sunday is looking wet and flakey at times. We have your weekend forecast details, plus a look at the warmer temps that are on tap for Monday.
Summit shows Biden's big vision on fighting climate change
President Joe Biden and his team of climate experts used a virtual global summit this week to lay out Biden’s vision that fighting climate change not only can benefit the U.S. economy, but the world’s as well. 
Minnesota records 100th traffic death of 2021
Minnesota recorded its 100th traffic death of the year this week, marking the earliest point in a year that the total has hit triple-digits since at least 2015.
The number of school-related COVID-19 cases reported this week in Minnesota has now exceeded a peak during a surge of cases in November. This is an MPR News evening update for April 23, 2021. Hosted by Catharine Richert. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Mondale carved out giant legacy, mentored future leaders
The political lineage of former Vice President Walter Mondale includes future top state leaders who learned the ropes under him. He died this week at age 93.
After Trump, young Americans are 'more hopeful about the future,' poll finds
The Harvard survey shows that despite living through one of the most divisive eras in U.S. history, 18- to 29-year-olds — especially those of color — are generally optimistic about the future.
Explainer: Can Chauvin get his convictions tossed on appeal?
The unique circumstances surrounding Derek Chauvin's trial in George Floyd's death could offer the former Minneapolis police officer some shot at winning a retrial on appeal, though most legal experts agree it's a long shot.
CDC director recommends pregnant people receive COVID-19 vaccines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers found no obvious safety concerns in a study of 35,000 pregnant people who received the vaccines, though they say more research is needed.
U.S. to resume J&J COVID vaccinations despite rare clot risk
U.S. health officials lifted an 11-day pause on COVID-19 vaccinations using Johnson & Johnson's single-dose shot on Friday, after scientific advisers decided its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clot.
How training and equipment influence police encounters
A researcher and the St. Paul police chief discussed how police training and military-grade equipment shape the way local law enforcement officers think about and interact with the public.
Evidence in Chauvin case contradicted first police statement
While Derek Chauvin's conviction is a high-profile case of video rebutting initial police statements, criminal justice experts and police accountability advocates say the problem of inaccurate initial reports — especially in fatal police encounters — is widespread.
A wetter pattern returns for Minnesota through the middle of next week. Meanwhile, temperatures continue their recent roller-coaster trend, going from chilly over the weekend to possible 70s Monday. 
April has brought a wide range of temperatures to Minnesota this year — stretching from the 80s early in the month to record lows in some areas this week.
Climate Summit Day 2 message: Invest big for big payoff
The White House brought out the billionaires, the CEOs and the union executives Friday to help sell President Joe Biden's climate-friendly transformation of the U.S. economy at his virtual summit of world leaders.
Explainer: Why is Chauvin unlikely to face maximum sentence?
Even though Derek Chauvin was found guilty of three counts, under Minnesota statutes he'll only be sentenced on the most serious one — second-degree unintentional murder. And while that carries a maximum sentence of 40 years, experts say he won't get that much. They say that, for all practical purposes, the maximum he would face is 30 years.
Cloudy, wet and cooler weather spreads across Minnesota Friday as a cold front makes its way across the state.
MN schools to stay open despite growing COVID-19 spread among students
The number of school-related COVID-19 cases reported this week in Minnesota has now exceeded a peak in November. State officials are not changing their policies governing youth sports or schools. Instead, they’re urging students to get tested more regularly — and are asking schools to make it possible for students to do that on site.
April 23 update on COVID-19 in MN: Spring case wave easing; vaccination urgency remains
“We really do believe that the end of the pandemic is in sight, but we’re not there yet,” the state health commissioner cautioned Thursday. “It depends entirely on the decisions we make now, and over the coming weeks.”
SpaceX rocket launches with astronauts aboard
The company's third crewed spacecraft took off from Florida early Friday. Aboard were NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and European astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
Photos: Community, family gather to mourn Daunte Wright
Hundreds of people wearing COVID-19 masks packed into Shiloh Temple International Ministries to remember Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old father of one who was shot by a white police officer on April 11 in the small city of Brooklyn Center.