Stories from June 21, 2021

Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end announced the news on Instagram, saying he wasn’t doing it for the attention but because he felt representation and visibility were important.
Following Sunday’s storm, temperatures turned much cooler, but the heat is already on its way back, with 90s back again by Wednesday.
Hortman: Walz will likely agree to give up emergency powers to end session
Republicans have long sought an end to the emergency powers Gov. Tim Walz has been using during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the DFL House speaker says the governor is likely to end the emergency as part of a deal to pass a new state budget. 
Ibram X. Kendi recommends 6 books to help your kids understand race
Ibram X. Kendi has been reading a lot of books about "the human rainbow" to his daughter — so we asked him to recommend some books kids can read to gain a better understanding of race in America.
The University of Minnesota is increasing police patrols in neighborhoods near the campus where crime has spiked over the last year. After a weekend shooting in Dinkytown injured three university students and two others, U of M President Joan Gabel sent a letter to students, faculty and staff outlining new security measures. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Monday, June 21, 2021. Hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Theme music by Gary Meister.
'Heart wrenching': St. Cloud State professor of 31 years was victim of Sunday shooting
A longtime professor at St. Cloud State University was killed this weekend in what police described as a random incident. Edward Anthony Ward, 68, was named Monday afternoon as the victim of a fatal shooting that took place Sunday morning in the 2600 block of Island View Drive in southern St. Cloud.
Minnesota State Patrol, Capitol police to wear bodycams
While cameras are now standard for many local Minnesota police officers, the state has been slower to deploy them to its forces. A bill including body camera funding is expected to be brought up for votes later this week.
Author Michelle Singletary on managing your money during times of crisis
Host Angela Davis talks to Michelle Singletary, award-winning author, Washington Post columnist and frequent commentator on CNN and other national news networks about her latest book, “What to Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits.” 
Former NHL player and Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Kurvers died Monday after a battle with lung cancer, the team and University of Minnesota-Duluth said. He was 58.
A fresh look at the intent of the Second Amendment
In her new book, historian Carol Anderson says the Second Amendment is more about keeping guns away from Black people than enshrining a right to bear arms in the U.S. Constitution.
UNC journalism school tried to give Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure. A top donor objected
The star New York Times reporter's bid for a tenured professorship has run aground on racial politics and an approach to journalism that runs counter to the donor whose name adorns the school.
New wood products plant projected to bring 150 jobs to NE Minn.
In a major boost to the state’s wood products industry, North Carolina-based Huber Engineered Woods has announced plans to build a $440 million manufacturing facility in northeastern Minnesota. The plant is projected to bring more than 150 jobs to the region.
Minnesota's House GOP leader Daudt says shutdown is unlikely
House Republicans relented somewhat over the weekend on their “filibuster” of some key budget bills, but progress at the Capitol after a week of a special session is still slow.
The Supreme Court sides with NCAA athletes in a narrow ruling
The court ruled that NCAA rules are not reasonably necessary to distinguish between college and professional sports. Still, the ruling could be potentially transformative.
Monday will be the coolest day Minnesota has seen all of June, but it is short-lived. Hot weather cranks back up by midweek, and another round of showers and storms is likely.
The 19th explains: How to manage post-pandemic social anxiety
Social anxiety is significantly more common in women. Experts told The 19th how to manage it as many reenter society. 
Minnesota sees another day of below average temperatures, with most of the state seeing highs only in the 60s.
After climbing well above 10 percent at times last year, the weekly average COVID-19 test positivity rate in Minnesota dropped below 1 percent on Sunday. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, June 21, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.
June 21 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases fall below 1K as pandemic retreats
Monday’s data offers more evidence that COVID-19 is in check in Minnesota. Known, active cases fell below 1,000 for the first time since the earliest weeks of the pandemic. Only 100 new cases were reported.
Cargo is piling up everywhere and it's making inflation worse
A surge in imports is overwhelming transportation networks and testing supply chains, making life hard for small business owners.
Humankind documentary about post Civil War America: 'The Freed People'
A documentary from the Humankind series about post Civil War America called “The Freed People” by David Freudberg.