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Stories from June 4, 2021

Judge grants delay in civil rights case over Floyd's death

Judge grants delay in civil rights case over Floyd's death

The four former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights will be arraigned on the federal charges in September. A magistrate judge ruled Friday that the case is complex and not subject to time restraints under the Speedy Trial Act.
by The Associated Press

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Steamy summer of '21: Long-duration heatwave ahead

Steamy summer of '21: Long-duration heatwave ahead

Six straight days of 90-degree heat in the Twin Cities would tie a record for early June heatwaves.
by Paul Huttner

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EPA alerts Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Band that PolyMet mine 'may affect' their waters

EPA alerts Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Band that PolyMet mine 'may affect' their waters

The EPA is required, under the Clean Water Act, to alert a state if it determines a project in another state might have the potential to affect its water quality. The mine would be located near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes on the eastern side of the Iron Range in northern Minnesota.
by Dan Kraker

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Court rules Shell needs to do more to cut carbon emissions

A ruling by a Dutch court in May says Shell should cut its gas emissions 45 percent by 2030. The outcome, which is expected to be appealed, has caught the attention of climate lawyers.
by Paul Huttner

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Not Zoom weary? Older Minnesotans build on new tech savvy

Not Zoom weary? Older Minnesotans build on new tech savvy

Many people used various forms of video chatting through the pandemic to stay in touch with family. Just because they now can see loved ones in person doesn’t mean they’re able to do that all the time. So they’re now connecting in new ways with relatives and friends than before.
by Peter Cox

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Trump suspended from Facebook for 2 years

Trump suspended from Facebook for 2 years

Facebook says former President Donald Trump is locked out of its platform and Instagram until at least Jan. 7, 2023. It will reinstate him only "if the risk to public safety has receded."
by Shannon Bond

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Weekend forecast: Hot and humid; scattered p.m. showers/thunder in the north

Weekend forecast: Hot and humid; scattered p.m. showers/thunder in the north

An air quality alert continues in the Twin Cities until 9 p.m. this Friday. Many spots will have highs in the 90s this weekend, along with sticky dew points. We have the weekend forecast details, including the possibility of thunderstorms in some areas.
by Ron Trenda

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U.S. intel report on UFOs: No evidence of aliens, but...

U.S. intel report on UFOs: No evidence of aliens, but...

Whatever or whoever they are, they’re still out there. But a new U.S. government report fails to give a definitive explanation of UFOs spotted by military pilots.
by The Associated Press

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Traveling this summer? Here’s what you need to know about getting away in a post-pandemic world

Traveling this summer? Here’s what you need to know about getting away in a post-pandemic world

After a year of staying at home due to COVID-19, vaccinated Americans are eager to hit the road again. But travel has changed since pre-pandemic days, and experts say many of those changes — for better or worse — are here to stay.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Mark Seeley: 'Time to break out those light summer clothes'

The unusual heat experienced at the beginning of this month will likely be the norm for the coming weeks says retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley. He advised listeners to break out their summer clothes as well as water their gardens for the days ahead. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Mark Seeley about the hot and dry June in their weekly weather chat. Click on the audio player above to hear their conversation.

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Family IDs man fatally shot in Mpls. arrest attempt; BCA says no bodycam footage of incident

Family IDs man fatally shot in Mpls. arrest attempt; BCA says no bodycam footage of incident

Family members identified the man who was fatally shot by authorities Thursday as 32-year-old Winston Boogie Smith. Officials said Smith was wanted for illegally possessing a gun. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the shooting.
by The Associated Press, Matt Sepic and Hannah Yang

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Remains of Minn. sailor who died at Pearl Harbor to return home

Remains of Minn. sailor who died at Pearl Harbor to return home

A U.S. Navy sailor from Minnesota who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor 79 years ago has been identified and is returning home to be buried.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Records tumble as a heatwave hits Minnesota

Record heat grips Minnesota through the weekend, and combined with mostly dry conditions, it raises fire and air quality concerns.
by Nicole Mitchell

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As Line 3 construction rolls on, river crossings draw pipeline resisters

As Line 3 construction rolls on, river crossings draw pipeline resisters

Environmental groups and Ojibwe tribes in Minnesota are particularly concerned about the places where the pipeline will cross rivers, streams and wetlands. They worry that a spill or leak could contaminate valuable water resources, where tribes retain treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather wild rice.
by Kirsti Marohn

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U.S. adds modest 559,000 jobs, a sign of more hiring struggles

U.S. adds modest 559,000 jobs, a sign of more hiring struggles

U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April’s sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy rapidly recovers from the pandemic recession.
by The Associated Press

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Friday's heat is already setting records

As the heat rises, so do weather-related problems.  Minnesota sees everything from severe weather and fire risk to air quality concerns during the day Friday.
by Nicole Mitchell

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A guide to gender identity terms

A guide to gender identity terms

How do I make sure I use the right pronouns for someone? And what if I mess up? Language can change quickly. Here's a guide to talking gender in its beautiful complexity.
by Laurel Wamsley

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Minneapolis starts to reopen George Floyd Square, but some push back

City workers on Thursday cleared barricades at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis, the site transformed a year ago into an occupied protest and memorial following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Mayor Jacob Frey said the work was the start of a reopening of the area, and he vowed to spend money to boost local businesses and improve the streetscape. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, June 4, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Hong Kong vigil organizer arrested on Tiananmen anniversary

Hong Kong vigil organizer arrested on Tiananmen anniversary

Police arrested an organizer of Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil remembering the deadly crackdown in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, warned people not to attend the banned event and cordoned off parts of the venue Friday as authorities mute China's last pro-democracy voices.
by The Associated Press

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Pence: I'll likely never see eye to eye with Trump on Jan. 6

Pence: I'll likely never see eye to eye with Trump on Jan. 6

Former Vice President Mike Pence says that he isn’t sure that he and former President Donald Trump will ever see “eye to eye” over what happened on Jan. 6 but that he would “always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.”
by The Associated Press

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Your summer entertainment to-do list: bike and kayak tours, live music and more

Your summer entertainment to-do list: bike and kayak tours, live music and more

As our masks come off and the sun comes out, we're planning our post-pandemic summer. Host Angela Davis asked tour guides and a couple of hosts from The Current for their recommendations for things to do and see.
by Angela Davis and Susan Davis

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June 4 COVID-19 update in MN: Cases receding; vaccination pace languishing

June 4 COVID-19 update in MN: Cases receding; vaccination pace languishing

While the waning vaccination pace remains a worry, overall state data continues to paint a picture of a retreating pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is less prevalent in Minnesota than at any time since the pandemic’s first month or so.
by MPR News Staff

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