Stories from July 1, 2021

Lots of 90s this holiday weekend; drought update
It’ll be an old-fashioned Fourth of July holiday weekend, with plenty of warmth. We have the forecast details, plus a look at drought conditions around Minnesota and elsewhere in the United States.
Sun Country stumbles on what may be the biggest travel day since the pandemic started, with software glitch and big delays. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Passenger: Officers didn't ID selves in fatal Winston Smith shooting
An attorney for Norhan Askar said Thursday that law enforcement officers were not in uniform and did not identify themselves as authorities when they surrounded Winston Smith's SUV with their guns drawn.
Walz, leaders reflect on special session
The dust has settled at the state Capitol after a long, drawn out budget process, and top leaders are reflecting on what they accomplished.
Pinterest bans all weight loss ads
Pinterest will now ban all ads containing weight loss language or imagery, adding to the platform's growing roster of prohibited content.
Minneapolis extends COVID-19 emergency powers as state order ends
The local emergency rules were set to end today, along with the state’s emergency order, which did expire with the passage of a new two-year state budget.
Jobs, forest and climate: Wood products plant welcomed in northern Minnesota
The state is poised to provide $30 million to lure a North Carolina company to Minnesota's north woods. Supporters of the wood manufacturing plant project say it will create hundreds of badly needed jobs, while at the same time also benefiting the state's forests.
'We can do it': Biden brings message of comfort to Surfside
President Joe Biden on Thursday offered comfort to the grieving and federal support for the ongoing efforts to search for the missing and rebuild after last week’s collapse of a high-rise condo building along the Florida coastline.
Exxon lobbyist caught on video talks about undermining Biden's climate push
ExxonMobil has condemned the comments of one of its lobbyists secretly recorded by undercover climate activists. The man described pushing lawmakers to weaken President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill.
Grappling with record high temperatures and widening drought
Historic heat waves are striking many parts of the country this June, leaving some cities struggling to cope with another sweltering week. How unusual are these events?
Sun Country software outage causes delays, major travel headaches
The outage comes on what travelers expect will be the busiest day since the pandemic began, and social media postings show big crowds at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport waiting for flights. 
A Rochester Post Bulletin investigation, led by reporter Nora Eckert, revealed the mistreatment of Minnesota inmates during the pandemic. These failures lead to the deaths of 12 inmates.
Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?
One dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine will provide some protection, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. It's why experts recommend getting fully vaccinated. They say it's particularly important in areas where worrisome variants like the delta are spreading.
Their deadline was midnight on Wednesday, the end of the fiscal year. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, July 1, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.  Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Safety concerns halt rescue efforts at condo collapse site
Rescue efforts at the site of a partially collapsed Florida condominium building were halted Thursday out of concern about the stability of the remaining structure, officials said. The stoppage came on the same day that crews and relatives of those still missing were scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden.
Warm, dry start to July. Then a hot weekend
July will start with a couple warm but dry days. The Fourth of July weekend will be hot with a little mugginess by Sunday.
Trump Organization CFO surrenders ahead of expected charges
New York prosecutors are expected to announce the first criminal indictment Thursday in a two-year investigation into former President Donald Trump's business practices, accusing his namesake company and Allen Weisselberg of tax crimes related to fringe benefits for employees.
Fierce girls and giant robots battle an empire in this YA adventure
In Zoe Hana Mikuta's new “Gearbreakers,” a talented pilot and a daring rebel have the same goal — take down a giant, evil empire. But first, they have to learn to trust each other — and maybe more.
Art Hounds recommend summer sweets
Jodi Reeb’s new exhibit turns beeswax into paintings, a debut album by Champagne Drops celebrates female friendship and mother-daughter relationships and the Hovland Arts Festival celebrates 15 years.
The U.S. will add a third gender option on passports
With the changes, "we don't have to lie to get our passports. We can just be ourselves," said Dana Zzyym, an intersex person who has fought for more gender options on U.S. passports.
Court OKs 3rd-degree murder against 3-ex cops in Floyd death
The Minnesota Court of Appeals says prosecutors may file aiding and abetting third-degree murder charges against three former Minneapolis police officers in the death of George Floyd.