Stories from June 17, 2021

Unpaid caregivers were already struggling. It's only gotten worse during the pandemic
A new CDC study finds that people who provide unpaid care for their children or adult loved ones are twice as likely as noncaregivers to have experienced depression or anxiety, or thoughts of suicide.
Pfizer's COVID vaccine in teens and myocarditis: What you need to know
Health officials are investigating reports of mostly mild, temporary and treatable heart inflammation that may or may not be causally linked to vaccination with an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19.
Police are investigating after a 911 caller Thursday reported finding human body parts in northeast Minneapolis. The caller made the discovery around 9:30 a.m. near 3rd Avenue Northeast across Main Street from the Mississippi River.
Airlines work to scale up sustainable jet fuel
Waste from crops, logging — even cities — can be turned into a more sustainable jet fuel. Airlines are lobbying for tax incentives that would put more of it into their fuel mix.
Fatherhood during the pandemic and beyond
Host Angela Davis talks with fathers about their experiences during the pandemic and why young dads need role models. 
The first four pieces of a new state budget are up for votes Thursday. The Minnesota Legislature is in special session to complete a new two-year budget by July 1 or risk shutting the government down. Legislative leaders insist it won’t come to that.  This is the MPR News afternoon update for June 17, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Council presses Frey on contract for reopening 38th and Chicago
Minneapolis City Council members on Thursday questioned why Mayor Jacob Frey used emergency pandemic powers to contract with a community group tasked with reopening the intersection where George Floyd was murdered.
Drought conditions worsen across Minnesota
Small pockets are in severe drought, mostly along the border with Iowa, as well as some areas on the northwestern edge of the state, the U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows.
Minnesota unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent in May
The Minnesota unemployment rate dropped by a tenth of 1 percent in May and the labor force participation rate grew for the first time in three months as the state’s economy recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. to spend $3.2B on treatments for COVID-19, other viruses
The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to speed development of treatments for COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses. There are some antiviral pills in development that could begin arriving by year’s end, pending the completion of testing.
We have an update our Thursday/Thursday night severe weather potential in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. We also have your weekend forecast details; you might need an umbrella on Father’s Day.
The investigation of the pandemic's origins is at an impasse
In the wake of heated debate over the unproven lab leak theory, the world is calling on China to cooperate with investigations. But efforts to delve into this matter seem to be stalling.
How much is it worth to leave an old pipeline in the ground? State regulators reject call to clarify Line 3 removal program
More than 250 landowners who live along an oil pipeline corridor that cuts across northern Minnesota can expect to receive additional information in the mail in the next few weeks about removing those pipelines from their land.
Obamacare wins for the 3rd time at the Supreme Court
The decision threw out the challenge to the law, on grounds that Texas and other objecting GOP-dominated states were not required to pay anything under the mandate provision. The vote was 7 to 2.
Legislative leaders have hinted the public safety budget bill will likely be the last across the finish line. That’s because it’s not clear which new police accountability measures will be included in that bill.
A cold front Thursday brings an elevated severe weather risk, but rain stays limited. Another storm Sunday brings a better rain chance while ushering in the coldest weather so far this month.
Can you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines?
Experts say mixing and matching different two-dose COVID-19 vaccines is likely safe and effective, but data still needs to be collected to be sure. COVID-19 shots are all designed to stimulate your immune system to produce virus-fighting antibodies, though the way they do so varies.
A storm system keeps statewide temperatures well above again Thursday, while bringing southeastern Minnesota both a chance for needed rain and an enhanced severe weather risk.
Hennepin County prosecutors on Wednesday charged a St. Paul man with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the death late Sunday of Deona Erickson. Nicholas Kraus, 35, is also charged with two counts of second-degree assault.  This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, June 17, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister
June 17 update on COVID-19: Pandemic trends solid; vaccinations crawl
Minnesota’s seven-day new-case average is at its lowest since April 2020. Known, active case counts may drop below 1,000 this week — Minnesota had 15,000 such cases just last month. The languishing vaccination pace is the biggest worry right now.
A traveling Iron Range exhibit celebrates the Ancient Cedars trail, and other Art Hounds ‘likes’
Also, Dameun Strange’s 24-hour Sol Soundgarden installation has music blooming across the Rondo and Frogtown neighborhoods in St. Paul, and Gwen Partin’s show pairs paper and textile arts in Minneapolis.
The final of a three-part series by MPR's Chris Farrell about the economy and climate change, called "The Greener Good." This episode is about ethical investing.
Biden signs bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the nation. The House passed a bill 415-14 on Wednesday that would make Juneteenth, or June 19th, a federal holiday.