Stories from April 29, 2021

Free rides and beer: Incentives are added to vaccine drive
Free beer and doughnuts. Savings bonds. A chance to win an all-terrain vehicle. Places around the U.S. are offering incentives to try to energize the nation’s slowing vaccination drive and get reluctant Americans to roll up their sleeves. 
DFLers press for small business rebuilding aid 11 months after riots. Feds consider civil rights case against Chauvin. COVID cases linked to recent protests Hosted by Matt Sepic. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Some Omaha high school students could face discipline for reenacting inside the school building the arrest and killing of George Floyd and then posting a photo of it to social media.
Climate change risks mounting for businesses
From litigation to financial and material loss due to extreme weather — the corporate world is managing mounting risks due to climate change.
FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars
Menthol has been the last allowable flavor in cigarettes, and the FDA says marginalized communities are far more likely to use these products.
State utility regulators dismiss calls for Line 3 investigation
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously rejected a complaint and request for an investigation from an environmental group that argued Enbridge Energy’s pipeline replacement project is no longer needed because of recent capacity increases the company has made to its pipeline system. 
CVS to offer in-store mental health counseling
As the number of people seeking therapy soars during the pandemic, CVS has begun testing a model to offer counseling services in its stores. It hopes to reduce costs for both patients and itself.
Walz, Democrats insist on police changes
With time in the legislative session growing short, Gov. Tim Walz and DFL lawmakers say changes to police powers should be an issue on the table. They were joined by one House Republican, but Senate Republicans have not expressed an interest in passing similar legislation. 
White farmers sue seeking government loan forgiveness
A group of Midwestern farmers sued the federal government Thursday alleging they can't participate in a COVID-19 loan forgiveness program because they're white.
Chauvin trial eases concerns of courtroom camera skeptics
Judge Peter Cahill is allowing the trial of ex-cops J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao to be televised. There were no major problems with the live broadcast of Derek Chauvin’s trial, the first time that a Minnesota criminal trial had been televised. The experiment won over many who opposed having cameras in the courtroom.
Get ready for a shortage of iPads and MacBooks
The global shortage of chips could hurt production of iPads and Macs, costing Apple $3 billion to $4 billion in revenue, in what is the latest example of a company being hit by supply constraints.
What civil rights charges connected to Floyd's death could mean
A federal grand jury could soon hand down civil rights charges against the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd's death. The civil rights violations would be on top of the state criminal charges the officers face. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked to John Marti, former acting U.S. attorney and longtime federal prosecutor.
Race and power in Hollywood
The 2021 Academy Awards were the most diverse in history. But does that mean Hollywood’s elites are starting to share power with a broader group?
This Saturday marks the beginning of May, but it’ll feel like late June. We have details on that, plus a look at our Sunday shower chances.
State aid for Twin Cities businesses uncertain as end of session looms
Nearly a year after unrest that followed the death of George Floyd, businesses damaged in the violence are watching for signs of help from lawmakers in St. Paul. State Rep. Fue Lee, DFL-Minneapolis and chair of the bonding committee in the House, spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.
Following a couple morning sprinkles Thursday, dry skies prevail through Saturday. That lack of significant rain is making it very obvious that some of our recent radar activity is due to active bird migration.
A weather system moving across Minnesota is bringing light rain and windier conditions Thursday, but plenty of sunshine also stays in the forecast.
Survival is an invitation to push through hard times in 'White Magic'
Elissa Washuta's “White Magic” is full of magic — and pain — as it deals with trauma while exploring cultural inheritance and the way attacks on Native women never stopped.
Both sides claimed victory Wednesday after the state Supreme Court issued a complex ruling over state permits for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.  Environmental groups and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa were quick to celebrate the ruling, saying the decision “hits the reset button” on the proposal, which would be the first non-iron ore mining operation built in northern Minnesota.  This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, April 29, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Art Hounds: 'The Art of Possibilities'
A fine arts exhibition from Courage Kenny, a one-man comedy show in Lanesboro about chef James Beard, and a pandemic YouTube special from Minneapolis stand-up comic Ali Sultan. 
Biden speech takeaways: Government is good, and so are jobs
The president said the U.S. is "on the move again" after struggling through a devastating pandemic that killed more than 570,000 Americans, disrupted the economy and shook daily life. And he pitched an expansive — and expensive — vision to rebuild the nation's roads, bridges, water pipes and other infrastructure, bolster public education and extend a wide swath of other benefits.
April 29 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases trending down; vaccination urgency remains
Minnesota’s COVID-19 picture continues to improve as the current case wave crests. Officials on Thursday also said they’ve confirmed 22 cases linked to recent protests in Brooklyn Center, half of them in law enforcement.
You're vaccinated. Congrats! Now what can you do safely?
Can I get a massage? Travel with my unvaccinated kids? Eat indoors at a restaurant? Hit the gym? Experts weigh in with advice on 16 frequently asked post-vaccination questions.
The GOP's response to Biden's Congressional address, annotated
The Republican Party gave its response to President Joe Biden's address to a joint session of Congress. NPR reporters are adding fact checks and analysis to remarks by Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
Biden's address to Congress, annotated
President Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress on the eve of 100 days in office. NPR reporters added fact checks and analysis to his remarks live.