Stories from May 19, 2021

Stearns County agreement aims to build trust between law enforcement, communities of color
Stearns County and several advocacy organizations signed a community policing agreement this week aimed at improving transparency, accountability and trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
Higher humidity and rainfall likely in BWCA fire zone
Higher humidity and rainfall is likely in Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) fire zone. Showers increase in BWCA Wednesday night into Thursday.
A 6-year-old girl has died from her wounds after her family vehicle was hit by gunfire. Aniya Allen’s grandfather, community activist K.G. Wilson, confirmed her death and pleaded for information on who shot her. She is the third child struck in random shootings in Minneapolis since April 30. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Hosted by Peter Cox. Theme music by Gary Meister.
‘America is not somebody else; America is us’: Civil rights organizer Bo Thao-Urabe wants Minnesota to measure success differently
In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, MPR News and Sahan Journal are featuring Asian Minnesotans making history. Bo Thao-Urabe, executive director of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, talks about what she learned from Martin Luther King Jr. — and from her mother.
‘A historic figure in Minnesota’: Kao Ly Ilean Her, a Hmong pioneer in education, law, and culture
Her’s huge legacy includes cultural festivals, leadership programs for Asian young women, and a groundbreaking post as a University of Minnesota Regent. Friends and family recall a woman who made her own path as a community leader.
House passes bill to investigate Capitol riot, but its fate in Senate is unclear
The House has passed a bipartisan plan to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, despite significant opposition from Republican lawmakers. The vote was 252-175, with 35 Republicans joining all Democrats.
How myths undermine the nations that build on them
Author Nesrine Malik says the stories we collectively tell ourselves might feel good, but they could ultimately destroy the foundation of our society.
Target's profit surges as Americans cast restrictions aside
Target's sales and profits surged in the first quarter as its customers, emerging from the pandemic, returned in big numbers for dresses, cosmetics and luggage.
A Michigan man charged with causing the death of a pedestrian in Fargo will spend six years in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and failing to report a fatal accident.
The Pentagon has never passed an audit. Some senators want to change that
The Pentagon went through its first independent financial audit in 2017. But after three failed attempts, lawmakers are losing their patience. A new bill could impose financial penalties on the DoD.
A broad flow of moisture starts funneling into Minnesota Wednesday, bringing higher humidity, periods of rain and storms and above average temperatures through early next week.
Rain showers and possibly a few thunderstorms spread across Minnesota during the day Wednesday, while temperatures remain mild.
House to vote on independent panel to probe Jan. 6 attack
The House is poised to vote on a 9/11-style commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a first step toward creating an independent, bipartisan panel that would investigate the siege and try to prevent it from happening again.
Black entrepreneurs sow seeds of healthier eating during pandemic gardening boom
Denver-based rapper DJ Cavem Moetavation started pushing beats and beets by distributing free seeds. Black-owned companies like his are trying to encourage more people of color to grow their own food.
A young girl is in critical condition after the car she was riding in was apparently caught in a shootout in north Minneapolis Monday night. Activist K.G. Wilson identified the girl as his granddaughter, Aniya Allen, his son's 6-year-old daughter. Wilson’s family told him they'd stopped at a McDonald’s on the way home near 36th and Penn avenues when the car was caught in the crossfire of a shootout around 11 p.m. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
It's harder than ever to buy a house, and bidding wars keep breaking out
A record low supply of homes for sale and strong demand from buyers are sending home prices to record levels and frustrating homebuyers who keep getting outbid.
Hollywood's top grossing films rarely include Asian and Pacific Islander roles and when they do actors are cast in stereotypical roles. The exception: Dwayne Johnson, who accounts for a third of all API lead actor roles.
Do we need vaccine passports?
John Donvan hosts the debate featuring UCLA history professor Peter Baldwin and ACLU senior policy analyst Jay Stanley.
Walz urges schools to be creative with summer programs
As he released $75 million in federal funding for schools across the state to provide summer learning opportunities, Gov. Tim Walz encouraged school districts to offer a variety of ways to reach students who may have fallen behind because of the pandemic.