Stories from June 14, 2021

A 35-year-old St. Paul man was arrested for vehicular homicide in connection with a crash that killed a woman who joined an ongoing protest in Uptown Minneapolis late Sunday night. The family of Deona Erickson said they weren’t surprised that she was at the protest on Lake Street. This is an MPR News evening update for June 14, 2021. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Special session begins with Walz emergency extension
A special session of the Minnesota Legislature got underway Monday and will likely last most of the rest of the month. Lawmakers must pass a new two-year budget by the end of June to avoid a state government shutdown. 
Creating healthy eating habits for summer
Host Angela Davis talks with a nutritionist about how to reduce the amount of sugar and salt in our diets and add more nutritious foods to our meals.
Drought severity increasing across the Upper Midwest
The numbers from the latest U.S. Drought Monitor are not encouraging to farmers and water managers across the region. Overall, 27 percent of the Midwest region is now in drought status.
Food insecurity worsens, even in America's breadbasket
More than 50 million people have experienced food insecurity during the pandemic, up from 35 million in 2019, according to the Feeding America nonprofit, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Low income, debt, unemployment, disability, homelessness, food price increases, age and environment all can play a role. The pandemic has added to the problem.
Fake records of rabies shots prompt U.S. ban on dogs from 113 countries
A surge in pet adoptions has increased demand for dogs imported from around the world. Most are fine, but federal officials turned up 450 dogs in 2020 with false records — 50 percent more than in 2019.
State appeals court upholds approval of Line 3 oil pipeline
On a 2-1 vote, a Minnesota Court of Appeals panel has upheld the state's approval of the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, dealing a blow to tribes and environmental groups battling the project.
Assessing Benjamin Netanyahu's 12 uninterrupted years in power
The Israeli prime minister leaves office with a legacy that includes economic prosperity, a growing partisan divide in the U.S. over support for Israel and the unresolved conflict with Palestinians.
Rain chances remain limited this week, but the hot weather finally breaks some with more highs in the 70s and 80s versus all the 90s last week.
Temperatures stay above average Monday, but for most places, it will be noticeably cooler weather than the heat of Sunday.
It's personal: Zoom'd out workplace ready for face-to-face conversations to return
Before the pandemic, the Janelia Research Campus was a hive of collaboration. Now, as researchers return to their offices and labs, they're eager to restore the connections lost this past year.
Worker shortage frustrates Minnesota businesses
Minnesota officials have been reaching out to people on unemployment in hopes of linking them with jobs. Some blame enhanced unemployment payments for the worker shortage, but others underscore the labor shortage preceded the pandemic. Challenges with child care and transportation have prevented some from joining the workforce.
Novavax says its COVID vaccine is extremely effective
In a large scale study, Novavax said its vaccine was completely effective against the original coronavirus strain and also effective against some variants. It works differently than other vaccines.
5 things to watch at the Biden-Putin summit
The Wednesday Geneva summit between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin is a chance for the two leaders to map out how they will manage a difficult relationship. Here's what to know.
One person was killed and another injured Sunday night after being struck by a car in the Uptown area of Minneapolis during a protest, near the site where Winston Smith was shot by sheriff's deputies earlier this month. A witness said the eastbound SUV was moving at a high rate of speed as it approached just before midnight, and that the driver appeared to accelerate as they got closer to demonstrators who had blocked off Lake Street near Girard Avenue. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, June 14, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister
June 14 update on COVID-19 in MN: Cases keep falling 1 month after end of mask mandate
New and active cases are trending at lows not seen since the earliest months of the pandemic. Officials had worried the end of the statewide masking mandate might lead to an uptick in cases, but it hasn’t happened.
'Lost Letters' lead to new love — and hard choices — in this YA romance
Hannah Reynolds new YA romance “The Summer of Lost Letters” follows teenaged Abby's quest to learn more about her grandmother's past — and a possible love affair captured in mysterious letters.
Action at open state Capitol aims to avert shutdown
With the public welcomed back to observe, Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol for a special session that will continue until a new state budget is enacted.
1 dead, 3 hurt after driver plows into protesters in Uptown Minneapolis
One person was killed and three injured Sunday night after the driver of an SUV drove into a crowd of protesters in the Uptown area of Minneapolis, near the site where Winston Smith was shot by sheriff's deputies earlier this month.
APM documentary: No Place for a Woman
The APM documentary "No Place for a Woman" tells a Minnesota story, but it became well-known nationwide.