Stories from June 24, 2021

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