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Stories from May 4, 2021

Juror questions trail Derek Chauvin verdict as defense asks for a new trial

Juror questions trail Derek Chauvin verdict as defense asks for a new trial, citing misconduct by the court, prosecutors and jurors. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Minnesota man pleads guilty to attempting to sell weapons to Hamas

Minnesota man pleads guilty to attempting to sell weapons to Hamas

A New Brighton man who admitted being part of the far-right Boogaloo Bois militia group has pleaded guilty to a federal terrorism charge.
by Matt Sepic

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Chauvin seeks new trial, impeachment of verdict

Chauvin seeks new trial, impeachment of verdict

The motion cites reasons Chauvin should be granted a new trial, including judicial abuse of discretion over granting a change of venue and sequestering the jury before deliberations. It also requests a hearing to “impeach the verdict … on grounds that the jury committed misconduct.”
by Brandt Williams and Jon Collins

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Biden aims for vaccinating 70 percent of adult Americans by July 4

Biden aims for vaccinating 70 percent of adult Americans by July 4

The new goal comes as demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, with some states leaving more than half their vaccine doses unordered. Biden calls for states to make vaccines available on a walk-in basis and will direct many pharmacies to do the same. 
by The Associated Press

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Police and traffic stops: When should officers pull drivers over?

Police and traffic stops: When should officers pull drivers over?

Host Angela Davis examined the role traffic stops and searches play in policing, when they are necessary and how those interactions with police can affect the communities they are serving.
by Angela Davis, Lindsay Guentzel and Alex Cheng

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Trees talk to each other. 'Mother Tree' ecologist hears lessons for people, too

Trees talk to each other. 'Mother Tree' ecologist hears lessons for people, too

Ecologist Suzanne Simard says trees are "social creatures" that communicate with each other in remarkable ways — including warning each other of danger and sharing nutrients at critical times.
by Dave Davies

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U.S. to reallocate COVID shots to states with greater interest

U.S. to reallocate COVID shots to states with greater interest

The Biden administration will begin shifting how it allocates COVID-19 shots to states, moving doses from states with lower demand to those with stronger interest in vaccines, an administration official said Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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Facebook board readies for its biggest decision yet: Whether to reinstate Trump

Facebook board readies for its biggest decision yet: Whether to reinstate Trump

The independent Oversight Board on Wednesday is expected to say whether Facebook should uphold or reverse a ban on the former president put in place after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
by Rachel Martin, Jason Breslow and Shannon Bond

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What is redistricting and how are states trying to improve the process?

What is redistricting and how are states trying to improve the process?

The Census Bureau has released its first batch of 2020 census data that determines how many U.S. House seats will be allocated to each state. Host Kerri Miller talks to two experts about the newly released data, the power of partisanship in redistricting, and the impact designated electorates have on local and national elections.
by Kerri Miller and Ariana Rosas

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Arm damage sidelines Bemidji's Paul Bunyan statue

Arm damage sidelines Bemidji's Paul Bunyan statue

The huge, iconic lakeshore statue suffered a major separation in its right arm on Monday, the city’s mayor said in a Facebook post.

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Why lagging COVID vaccine rate at rural hospitals 'needs to be fixed now'

Why lagging COVID vaccine rate at rural hospitals 'needs to be fixed now'

When it comes to persuading people to get a COVID-19 vaccine, health care professionals are influential. But in some rural communities, hospital staff themselves are hanging back.
by Tamara Keith

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Frosty mornings ahead for much of Minnesota

Minnesota temperatures stay slightly below average over the next week, and much of the state could see morning frost. Rain chances are limited but include some wet weather by Wednesday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Minneapolis police say missing toddler found safe

Minneapolis police had asked for the public’s help earlier Tuesday, believing the missing 2-year-old girl may have been abducted by her older sister. Officials say the toddler has been located safe near Syracuse, N.Y.
by Tim Nelson

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The women’s recession isn’t over — especially for moms

The women’s recession isn’t over — especially for moms

One year since the start of the women’s recession, hundreds of thousands of moms have been forced to leave their jobs — and grapple with the consequences.

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State Fair food, music — and giant slide are back for Memorial Day minifair

State Fair food, music — and giant slide are back for Memorial Day minifair

The fair says the “Kickoff to Summer at the Fair” will feature about two dozen food vendors — yes, Sweet Martha’s and Pronto Pups are on the list — with music at several locations around the fairgrounds. The giant slide is also planning to open for the event, weather permitting.
by Tim Nelson

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Mostly sunny skies and 50s for Tuesday

Although still slightly below average, Tuesday stays pleasant with mild temperatures and mostly sunny skies.
by Nicole Mitchell

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'The Parted Earth' traces the impact of India's partition across generations

'The Parted Earth' traces the impact of India's partition across generations

Partition split India and Pakistan in 1947 and affected millions of lives across decades. Journalist Anjali Enjeti's new novel explores the way people who don't process their trauma can pass it on.
by Jeevika Verma and Steve Inskeep

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Elizabeth Warren stitches the stories she says 'help us learn to persist'

Elizabeth Warren stitches the stories she says 'help us learn to persist'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren says she isn't looking to be president. She's looking for change, she tells NPR, which happens when we talk about our stories — from sexual harassment to child care troubles.
by Rachel Martin

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Negotiations on police accountability legislation continues to divide Minnesota lawmakers

Police accountability legislation continues to be a contentious part of budget negotiations. Minnesota’s Democratic-controlled state House included several policing provisions in its public safety budget bill for the 2020 session but the Republican-controlled state Senate included no police accountability measures in its version of the budget bill. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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May 4 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases recede; Walz set to ease curbs

May 4 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases recede; Walz set to ease curbs

Active case counts are at their lowest since late March, but so are vaccination levels. Still, Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday is expected to unveil looser capacity restrictions on bars, restaurants and other indoor gathering spaces.
by MPR News Staff

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Overpass collapse on Mexico City metro kills at least 24

Overpass collapse on Mexico City metro kills at least 24

Of the 24 killed, the mayor said 21 died at the scene, while the others died at hospitals, and children were among the fatalities. Of the more than 70 injured, 27 remained hospitalized
by The Associated Press

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Comic: Teaching kids to make art out of what they have in the pandemic

Comic: Teaching kids to make art out of what they have in the pandemic

It's been a year since teachers were handed an unprecedented request: educate students in entirely new ways, amid the backdrop of a global pandemic. This week is a first grade teacher in Los Angeles.

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Jelani Cobb at Westminster Town Hall Forum series: 'The Arc Toward Justice'

Jelani Cobb at Westminster Town Hall Forum series: 'The Arc Toward Justice'

New Yorker writer Jelani Cobb is the first speaker in a new four-part series from the Westminster Town Hall Forum: “The Arc Toward Justice: Taking Stock One Year After George Floyd’s Death.”
by MPR News Staff

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Minnesota Legislature struggles for compromise on policing

Minnesota Legislature struggles for compromise on policing

The Republican-controlled Senate included no police accountability measures in its budget bill and has already rejected several House proposals. A House-Senate conference committee on Monday began trying to find out whether any compromises are possible.
by The Associated Press

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