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Stories from June 24, 2021

Drought update and a look at rain chances

Drought update and a look at rain chances

The latest drought report shows more of Minnesota in drought now, and some areas have serious drought conditions. We have an update on that, plus your weekend forecast.
by Ron Trenda

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Are 'false springs' getting more extreme?

Are 'false springs' getting more extreme?

A drastic “false spring” in France this year caused an estimated $2 billion in damage to vineyards. Can the region — and ours — expect more of these late winter temperature swings?
by Paul Huttner

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Derek Chauvin to be sentenced Friday for the murder of George Floyd

The former Minneapolis Police officer who pinned George Floyd to the ground for more than 9 minutes is set to be sentenced Friday. A jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in April. He’s the first white police officer in the state to ever be convicted of murdering a Black man while on duty. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Thursday, June 24, 2021. Hosted by Riham Feshir. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Riham Feshir

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In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans

In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans

Overdose deaths among Black Americans surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In St. Louis, deaths among Black people increased last year at three times the rate of whites, skyrocketing more than 33 percent.
by The Associated Press

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Weekend forecast: near-normal temps; shower/thunder chances

We’ll enjoy typical June temps this weekend. Some of us will also see some needed rain, but we’ll have many dry hours too.
by Ron Trenda

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Cube Critics discuss "F9" and "Sweet Tooth"

Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis discuss "F9" and "Sweet Tooth"

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What ‘duty to intervene’ means in policing

What ‘duty to intervene’ means in policing

Minneapolis established a “duty to intervene” policy in 2016, setting a rule that officers must “either stop or attempt to stop another sworn employee when force is being inappropriately applied or is no longer required.” How is that rule applied in practice?
by Kerri Miller and Ariana Rosas

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The Twin Cities is bulging with trash. What can be done?

The Twin Cities is bulging with trash. What can be done?

Four metro landfills are set to expand, and Minnesota is not on track to meet ambitious goals for reducing waste and increasing recycling rates. Host Angela Davis talks to trash and recycling experts about possible ways to shrink our garbage problem.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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New York court suspends Rudy Giuliani's law license

New York court suspends Rudy Giuliani's law license

An appeals court has suspended Rudy Giuliani from practicing law in New York because he made false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the presidential race.
by The Associated Press

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Report: Over 600 bodies found at Indigenous school in Canada

Report: Over 600 bodies found at Indigenous school in Canada

Leaders of Indigenous groups in Canada said Thursday investigators have found more than 600 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school for Indigenous children — a discovery that follows last month's report of 215 bodies found at another school.
by The Associated Press

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Why is it so hard to find workers right now?

Why is it so hard to find workers right now?

Businesses of many types report they can’t find people to hire right now, despite high unemployment numbers. 
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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What should I know about the delta variant?

What should I know about the delta variant?

The delta variant spreads more easily, but it's not clear yet whether it makes people sicker. It has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first detected in India and is responsible for 20 percent of infections in the U.S.
by The Associated Press

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Drought now covers 75 percent of Minnesota; rain chances limited

Drought now covers 75 percent of Minnesota; rain chances limited

June should be Minnesota’s wettest month, but it’s been dry and so much hotter than average that the heat has accelerated drought conditions. The newest data shows dramatic changes just within the past week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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State House passes transportation budget bill

Roads, bridges and transit will get additional funding under a transportation finance bill that House lawmakers passed Wednesday. The Senate could approve the bill as early as Thursday. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, June 24, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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As the pandemic recedes, millions of workers are saying 'I quit'

As the pandemic recedes, millions of workers are saying 'I quit'

People are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. A record 4 million workers quit just in April.
by Andrea Hsu

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Twin Cities part of White House effort to curb violence

Twin Cities part of White House effort to curb violence

President Joe Biden’s plan focuses on keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them as well as provides help for intervention and prevention efforts.
by MPR News Staff

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Southeastern Minnesota sees a severe weather risk Thursday

A cold front making its way across Minnesota is causing big weather contrasts around the state and brings a chance for strong storms to southeastern Minnesota.
by Nicole Mitchell

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As cases decline, 3 Twin Cities COVID-19 testing sites are closing

As cases decline, 3 Twin Cities COVID-19 testing sites are closing

Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all abating, and so is demand for COVID-19 testing. State officials are shuttering three COVID-19 testing sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington as a result.
by Catharine Richert

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Many feared dead after Florida beachfront condo collapses

Many feared dead after Florida beachfront condo collapses

Authorities say nearly 100 people are still unaccounted for after part of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed in a town outside Miami. The collapse in the community of Surfside killed at least one person and trapped others in rubble and twisted metal.
by The Associated Press

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June 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Pandemic data solid; vaccination pace limps

June 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Pandemic data solid; vaccination pace limps

Thursday’s COVID-19 data continues to paint a picture of a pandemic in check in Minnesota. New cases, active cases and hospital admission levels are trending at or near pandemic lows. Vaccinations, however, are at a baby-steps pace.
by MPR News Staff

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Top general defends studying critical race theory in the military

Top general defends studying critical race theory in the military

Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley also said he wanted to understand "white rage" in a tense exchange that Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz had with him and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
by Danielle Kurtzleben

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Line 3 foes worry increased pumping could threaten Minn. water

Line 3 foes worry increased pumping could threaten Minn. water

An amended dewatering permit allows Enbridge Energy, the company building the new pipeline along a new route in northern Minnesota, to temporarily pump about 10 times more shallow groundwater from the construction area than it had originally planned.
by Kirsti Marohn

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Art Hounds: COVID-19 and mourning on film, plus other emotion-provoking performances

Art Hounds: COVID-19 and mourning on film, plus other emotion-provoking performances

Yeej Moua debuts his short film, “The Wind Always Strikes the Highest Mountain,” for the Northern Spark festival’s final weekend. Minnesota artists explore issues of disability and theater at Full Circle. And Laura Sellner has a new EP.
by Emily Bright

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Jockeying begins for pandemic bonuses

Jockeying begins for pandemic bonuses

Details are lacking on a plan for the state to pay $250 million in pandemic bonuses to some front-line workers, but that hasn’t stopped leaders in various industries from making their case for why they should get a cut.
by Brian Bakst

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