Stories from May 11, 2021

Judge dismisses NRA bankruptcy case in blow to gun group
A federal judge announced his decision Tuesday in the case over whether the powerful gun-rights group should be allowed to incorporate in Texas instead of New York.
'The stakes could not be higher': Senate panel debates voting overhaul
The Senate Rules Committee held a contentious markup of legislation to revamp the nation's voting and campaign finance rules, laying bare the deep partisan divide over how elections should be run.
Andrew Brown's family views longer video footage of fatal shooting
"What we saw on that video was an unjustified killing," family attorney Bakari Sellers told reporters on Tuesday in Elizabeth City, N.C., after seeing additional police body camera video.
Former Trump officials to defend federal response to Capitol riot
Former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller is set to testify that he was cautious about allowing military intervention during the siege on Jan. 6.
Meet America's newest chess master, 10-year-old Tanitoluwa Adewumi
At 10 years old, Tanitoluwa Adewumi just became one of the youngest chess masters in the United States — and he's not done yet. He says he hopes to become the world's youngest grandmaster.
COVID shots for kids 12 and up could start in Minnesota as soon as Thursday, and the Guthrie will lift the curtain on a full fall season this year. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Futures of Twin Cities downtowns in flux as workers trickle back
Downtown promoters in the Twin Cities predict today's relatively deserted business districts will bounce back. But some businesses that rely on office workers for customers are skeptical. 
Hamas rockets hit Tel Aviv as Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continue
Israel warned that airstrikes on Gaza would continue over the coming days as at least 30 Palestinians and three Israelis were reported killed amid rising cross-border violence sparked by clashes in Jerusalem.
St. Paul man accused of stealing coronavirus vaccines
Police in a St. Paul suburb are investigating the theft of coronavirus vaccines after a man recorded and posted videos on social media of him walking away with vials of what he said was “poison” and that he had plans to have the vaccines tested at a lab.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III at the Westminster Town Hall Forum 'Arc Toward Justice' series
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is the featured speaker at the Westminster Town Hall Forum’s May series, “The Arc Toward Justice: Taking Stock One Year After George Floyd’s Death.”
State High School League rejects boys volleyball in Tuesday vote
Minnesota's state high school league rejected a proposal to add boy's volleyball to its list of supported sports programs this morning. Ahead of the vote, MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Jenny Kilkelly, director and president of the Minnesota Boys' High School Volleyball Association.
MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer has been checking in with Bill Kozlak, owner of Jax Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis, during the pandemic. She spoke with him this week about his plans to scale back up for a busier summer season.
In Ahmaud Arbery's name, Georgia repeals citizen's arrest law
Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law repealing citizen's arrest in the state. The white men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery are using citizen's arrest as part of their defense.
Police have made another arrest in the fatal shooting of a cab driver in Moorhead. A 17-year-old girl is accused of driving the car that was used when taxi driver 24-year-old Abdullahi Abdullahi was killed last week during an alleged armed robbery.
Poll: Most in U.S. who remain unvaccinated need convincing
Fewer Americans are reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccine than just a few months ago, but questions about side effects and how the shots were tested still hold some back, according to a new poll that highlights the challenges at a pivotal moment in the U.S. vaccination campaign.
Following a cold and frosty start Tuesday, temperatures finally return to seasonable warmth that lasts through the weekend. Rain chances also return by the weekend.
Minnesota is starting Tuesday with record-setting cold, but sunshine and light winds help temperatures soar by the afternoon.
U.S. schools fight to keep students amid fear of dropout surge
U.S. educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate. Their efforts, including relaxing graduation requirements, come amid an anticipated surge in the country's dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.
School shooting in Russia kills 9 people; suspect arrested
A gunman attacked a school Tuesday morning in the Russian city of Kazan, sending students running out of the building as smoke poured from its windows. At least nine people were killed — seven eighth grade students, a teacher and another school worker — and 21 others were hospitalized, Russian officials said.
'Notes on Grief' makes visceral the experience of death and grieving
"'After the burial we can begin to heal,'" Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie recounts her mother saying. Perhaps in the reading of this book, so too will the rest of us who lost so much over this past year.
May 11 COVID-19 update: Spring wave ebbs; vaccination pace crawls
The newest numbers show active cases and hospitalizations are down significantly from mid-April, but the vaccination pace continues to inch ahead even as officials plead with unvaccinated adults to get their shots.
Brooklyn Center policing overhaul could get vote within days
City leaders in Brooklyn Center say they could vote as soon as this Saturday on a proposed overhaul of policing in the community. A month ago, a white officer in the Minneapolis suburb killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, sparking protests and unrest.
Government housing vouchers are hard to get, and hard to use
The federal government plans to release another $5 billion to help those at risk of homelessness. But even without that assistance, low-income tenants struggle to use housing vouchers.
Reaching back to the New Deal, Biden proposes a Civilian Climate Corps
To bolster the country's preparedness for a warming world and create jobs, President Joe Biden wants to retool and relaunch one of the most celebrated U.S. government programs, first established by former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
FAQ: What you need to know about Pfizer's COVID vaccine and adolescents
Adolescents age 12 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the FDA says. But when and where, and what about younger kids? You have questions. We have answers.