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Stories from April 29, 2021

Free rides and beer: Incentives are added to vaccine drive

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. 
by The Associated Press

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DFLers press for small business rebuilding aid

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.

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Omaha students face discipline for Floyd death reenactment

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.
by The Associated Press

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Climate change risks mounting for businesses

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.
by Paul Huttner

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FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars

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.
by Laurel Wamsley

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State utility regulators dismiss calls for Line 3 investigation

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. 
by Dan Kraker

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CVS to offer in-store mental health counseling

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.
by Yuki Noguchi

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Walz, Democrats insist on police changes

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. 
by Brian Bakst

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White farmers sue seeking government loan forgiveness

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.
by The Associated Press

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Chauvin trial eases concerns of courtroom camera skeptics

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.
by Matt Sepic

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Get ready for a shortage of iPads and MacBooks

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.
by Camila Domonoske

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What civil rights charges connected to Floyd's death could mean

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.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Race and power in Hollywood

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?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Weekend forecast: Summery Saturday; shower chance on Sunday

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.
by Ron Trenda

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State aid for Twin Cities businesses uncertain as end of session looms

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.
by Cathy Wurzer and Tim Nelson

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Migrating birds are keeping Minnesota radars busy

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.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Morning sprinkles, then more sunshine Thursday

A weather system moving across Minnesota is bringing light rain and windier conditions Thursday, but plenty of sunshine also stays in the forecast.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Survival is an invitation to push through hard times in 'White Magic'

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.
by Gabino Iglesias

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Both sides claim victory in complicated PolyMet court ruling

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.

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Art Hounds: 'The Art of Possibilities'

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. 
by Emily Bright

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Biden speech takeaways: Government is good, and so are jobs

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.
by The Associated Press

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April 29 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases trending down; vaccination urgency remains

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.
by MPR News Staff

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You're vaccinated. Congrats! Now what can you do safely?

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.
by Maria Godoy and Carmel Wroth

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The GOP's response to Biden's Congressional address, annotated

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.
by NPR Staff

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Biden's address to Congress, annotated

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.
by NPR Staff

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