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Stories from June 18, 2021

Lawsuit raises questions of free speech, inclusion in Marshall

A group of residents in the western Minnesota city are suing the local school district in response to an incident last year that centered on a student’s opposition to a Pride flag. Legal experts say such cases can serve as a mirror to the larger cultural debates happening in society.
by Hannah Yang

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Feds: Man suspected of stealing at least 63 golf carts

Federal authorities have charged a Minnesota man with transportation of stolen vehicles in what they say was a litany of golf cart thefts.
by The Associated Press

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Consortium, loan announced for Fargo flood project

Consortium, loan announced for Fargo flood project

A $2.75 billion project aimed at protecting Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn., from chronic flooding is gaining ground. It's getting a $569 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency.
by The Associated Press

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Prosecutors agree to dismiss case against semi driver in 35W bridge protests incident, if conditions met

A man who drove his truck toward a crowd of protesters on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis has come to an agreement with prosecutors to conditionally dismiss his case. Bogdan Verchirko was charged with threats of violence and criminal vehicular operation. Days after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, protesters gathered on the bridge over the Mississippi River. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Friday, June 18, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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Wildfire red flag warning raised for 33 Minnesota counties

Wildfire red flag warning raised for 33 Minnesota counties

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for 33 counties in central and northwestern Minnesota Friday, which means the risk of wildfire is high.
by Hannah Yang

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As shutdown looms, Capitol action drags

As shutdown looms, Capitol action drags

For a second straight day, Republicans in the Minnesota House talked at length about a variety of subjects and prevented votes on budget bills as time grew shorter to prevent a state government shutdown.
by Tim Pugmire

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How Minnesotans are celebrating Juneteenth

How Minnesotans are celebrating Juneteenth

With Juneteenth now recognized as a federal holiday, host Angela Davis checked in on four different ways Minnesotans are celebrating Juneteenth.
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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Few cops who used force on Floyd protesters are known to have faced discipline

Few cops who used force on Floyd protesters are known to have faced discipline

ProPublica compiled 68 videos that seemed to show officers using disproportionate force on protesters. A year later, police have disclosed discipline for a total of 10 officers.

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Trucker who drove into protesters on I-35W may have case dismissed

Trucker who drove into protesters on I-35W may have case dismissed

The driver, Bogdan Vechirko, agreed, along with Hennepin County prosecutors, to a continuance for dismissal of his case, if he meets certain conditions.
by Peter Cox

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U.S.-Canada border restrictions extended until July 21

U.S.-Canada border restrictions extended until July 21

The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since.
by The Associated Press

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U.S. Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden

U.S. Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden

U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.
by The Associated Press

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Weekend forecast: Pleasant Saturday; rain at times on Sunday

Weekend forecast: Pleasant Saturday; rain at times on Sunday

We’ll have one dry day and one day with periods of rain this weekend. We have your weekend forecast details, plus a look at the red flag warning for Friday afternoon.
by Ron Trenda

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Author Lionel Shriver on her new book, ‘Should We Stay or Should We Go’

Author Lionel Shriver on her new book, ‘Should We Stay or Should We Go’

Is it better for life to end before it decays into something unrecognizable? That’s the question at the heart of Lionel Shriver’s new novel, which touches on themes of dementia, aging and how to die with dignity — but in a surprisingly playful way.
by Kerri Miller, Kelly Gordon and Marcheta Fornoff

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Come for the celebration, stay for the vaccine: Juneteenth events offer shots, too

Come for the celebration, stay for the vaccine: Juneteenth events offer shots, too

Twin Cities public health departments, volunteer nurses and community organizations are teaming up to offer COVID-19 vaccines during an array of Juneteenth festivities this weekend. Meanwhile, the state is inching toward its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older by July 1.
by Catharine Richert

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Needed rain targets Minnesota over the weekend

Another day of heat contributes to fire concerns Friday. Then, the recent hot pattern so far this June finally takes a significantly cooler twist, with a storm that could also impact Father’s Day plans.
by Nicole Mitchell

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AP-NORC poll: Many Americans resuming pre-virus activities

AP-NORC poll: Many Americans resuming pre-virus activities

Many Americans are relaxing precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and resuming everyday activities, even as some worry that coronavirus-related restrictions were hastily lifted, a new poll shows.
by The Associated Press

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The fire risk rises across Minnesota again

With hot, dry, and breezy conditions across most of Minnesota Friday, the fire risk goes up once more.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Songs for freedom: A Juneteenth playlist from pianist Lara Downes

Songs for freedom: A Juneteenth playlist from pianist Lara Downes

Music offers freedom. Freedom of expression — a way to rejoice and to mourn, to offer comfort, to call for change.

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Police: Body parts found in northeast Minneapolis

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. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, June 18, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister

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Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Hospitalizations fall; pandemic in check

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Hospitalizations fall; pandemic in check

Minnesota’s most recent COVID-19 numbers continue to show a subdued pandemic largely in retreat. Key metrics remain down at levels not seen since April 2020. Hospitalizations and ICU needs are receding rapidly.
by MPR News Staff

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North Korea's Kim vows to be ready for confrontation with U.S.

North Korea's Kim vows to be ready for confrontation with U.S.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his government to be prepared for both dialogue and confrontation with the Biden administration — but more for confrontation — state media reported Friday, days after the United States and others urged the North to abandon its nuclear program and return to talks.
by The Associated Press

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Tax cuts prevail over tax hikes at Capitol

Tax cuts prevail over tax hikes at Capitol

In a year when the governor and legislative Democrats proposed major tax increases, the final state budget will instead contain a fair amount of tax relief.
by Brian Bakst

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Why some states push back as the Biden administration doles out relief money

Why some states push back as the Biden administration doles out relief money

More than a dozen Republican state attorneys general are suing the Biden administration over a provision in the American Rescue Plan that prevents states from using relief money for tax cuts.
by Asma Khalid

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To celebrate Juneteenth, listen to a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation

To celebrate Juneteenth, listen to a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation

To mark Juneteenth, NPR staff members read the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth — the celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States — is now a federal holiday.

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The couple who waved guns at BLM protesters plead guilty to misdemeanors

The couple who waved guns at BLM protesters plead guilty to misdemeanors

The wealthy duo's defense lawyer told NPR they "understand that what they did is a violation of Missouri law" but if faced with a similar situation, Mark McCloskey would do it again.
by Vanessa Romo

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Minnesota House GOP filibusters in contentious budget debate

Minnesota House GOP filibusters in contentious budget debate

The Minnesota House launched into a long, contentious debate that delayed its first floor votes on the big budget bills that lawmakers were unable to pass before time ran out on the year’s regular session last month. 
by The Associated Press

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One woman's decades-long fight to make Juneteenth a U.S. holiday

One woman's decades-long fight to make Juneteenth a U.S. holiday

"We can all finally celebrate. The whole country together," says Opal Lee, 94, who has been working for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
by Vanessa Romo

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