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Stories from May 20, 2021

Minneapolis mayor: After year of reckoning, time for change

Minneapolis mayor: After year of reckoning, time for change

Mayor Jacob Frey is pushing ahead with a public safety proposal that he says will help keep all neighborhoods safe and hold police accountable. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, he spoke of his plan, and reflected on the year since Floyd's death.
by The Associated Press

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Looking for the heart of your community? Check out the library

Looking for the heart of your community? Check out the library

During the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries have served as lifelines for individuals and communities in need of support and connection. Guest host Chris Farrell explored the role of libraries today and the social services they provide in Minnesota and across the U.S.
by Chris Farrell, Lindsay Guentzel and Alex Cheng

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State Appeals Court weighs more charges against former cops in death of George Floyd

State Appeals Court weighs more charges against former cops in death of George Floyd, and a cold case heats up in St. Paul, with charges in a years-old murder. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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The Greener Good series: How does business adapt?

The Greener Good series: How does business adapt?

You want your company to go green. You understand the science, and you support sustainability. But what’s the best strategy?

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In St. Cloud, VA’s McDonough emphasizes care for growing ranks of women veterans

In St. Cloud, VA’s McDonough emphasizes care for growing ranks of women veterans

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough is visiting veterans facilities in his home state of Minnesota this week, highlighting the agency’s efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine and meet the needs of a changing veteran population.
by Kirsti Marohn

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The CDC is gambling on relaxed mask rules to get more people vaccinated

The CDC is gambling on relaxed mask rules to get more people vaccinated

Fully vaccinated people got the green light last week to resume much of their lives without masks. Behavioral experts say that as an incentive to get more people vaccinated, it's far from a sure bet.
by Yuki Noguchi

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Will Steger's 1989 route across Antarctica no longer exists

Will Steger's 1989 route across Antarctica no longer exists

A new film looks at how the explorer's observations in Antarctica have pushed the conversation about climate change forward.
by Paul Huttner

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Businesses seek improved indoor air quality for returning workers

Businesses seek improved indoor air quality for returning workers

Many businesses preparing to bring back workers post-pandemic are looking at ways to improve inside air quality. Pulling in as much fresh air as possible and robustly filtering it can help prevent the spread of disease, including COVID-19.
by Mark Zdechlik

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Israel approves unilateral cease-fire in Gaza offensive

Israel approves unilateral cease-fire in Gaza offensive

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has announced a cease-fire to halt an 11-day military operation against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
by The Associated Press

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Teens rescued from abandoned building in St. Paul

Police say three teenagers were rescued after being trapped in an abandoned building at a former automotive plant in St. Paul. One of the teens was hospitalized with injuries suffered in a fall.
by The Associated Press

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The Supreme Court takes up the legal fight over abortion, again

The Supreme Court takes up the legal fight over abortion, again

The Supreme Court last year ruled that a Louisiana state law placed an undue burden on people seeking abortions and ruled it to be unconstitutional. The composition of the court that’s considering the constitutionality of a Mississippi law is considerably different. A legal historian and journalist covering the Supreme Court describe how this case fits into the larger legal battle over abortion.
by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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U.S. jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid

U.S. jobless claims fall again as some states end federal aid

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease.
by The Associated Press

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How colleges are preparing the next generation for climate change and sustainability

How colleges are preparing the next generation for climate change and sustainability

At the University of Minnesota Crookston, the next generation of climate scientists, policymakers and activists is learning how to reach sustainability goals set forth by the United Nations.
by Paul Huttner

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Appeals court hears case of 3 ex-cops charged in Floyd death

Appeals court hears case of 3 ex-cops charged in Floyd death

Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are scheduled to face trial next March on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors want to add an additional count of aiding and abetting third-degree murder — a charge that defense attorneys say is legally impossible.
by Amy Forliti, Associated Press

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Thursday stays rainy, with severe weather possible

With a flow of wet weather directly over Minnesota Thursday, the entire state can expect periods of showers and storms throughout the day, and some storms are expected to become severe.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Why Ford unveiling an electric F-150 is a big deal

Why Ford unveiling an electric F-150 is a big deal

The auto industry is embracing the pivot toward electric vehicles. Will consumers hop on board? Ford is introducing an electric F-150 pickup, called Lightning, at a pivotal moment.
by Camila Domonoske

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Hundreds remember 6-year-old caught in crossfire, call for shooter, witnesses to come forward

Aniya Allen, riding in her mother’s car, was struck after they were suddenly caught in an exchange of gunfire near 36th and Penn avenues North. The girl died at Hennepin Healthcare two days later. She was the third child struck by bullets in the city recently. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, May 20, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Boundary Waters blaze could be sign of busy wildfire season

Boundary Waters blaze could be sign of busy wildfire season

Rain and humidity slowed a wildfire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but the fast-growing blaze threatened some seasonal cabins Tuesday. Some living in northeastern Minnesota wonder if it's a sign of more fires to come.
by Dan Kraker

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May 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: Case counts trending down; vaccinations crawl

May 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: Case counts trending down; vaccinations crawl

Minnesota data continues to offer more evidence that COVID-19 is in retreat after a spring surge. Still, the vaccination pace continues to struggle for traction, raising concerns that hundreds of thousands of Minnesota adults might choose to go unvaccinated.
by MPR News Staff

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'Unsettled Ground' lets its oddballs stay defiantly odd

'Unsettled Ground' lets its oddballs stay defiantly odd

Claire Fuller's beautifully written new novel follows 51-year-old twins who never left home, forced finally to cope with the outside world and some unpleasant family secrets after their mother dies.
by Ilana Masad

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Feeling anxious about returning to post-pandemic society? You're not alone

Feeling anxious about returning to post-pandemic society? You're not alone

As people start to reemerge from isolation, there's a lot to navigate and relearn. Dr. Lucy McBride and theologian Ekemini Uwan field questions from listeners about how to navigate our new reality.
by Ari Shapiro, Kat Lonsdorf, Courtney Dorning and Emma Bowman

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