Stories from July 6, 2021

Making and keeping friends as pandemic restrictions lift
The past year had an impact on our relationships, including friendships. As we enter a new phase of the pandemic, many people are reconnecting with old friends — and looking to make new ones.
Minnesota's environmental battles force out pollution control commissioner, as GOP pushes back against coming vehicle emission standards. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Iceland finds 'major success' moving to shorter workweek
The results of two trials in Iceland found that a 35- to 36-hour workweek resulted in similar or greater productivity and improved well-being among workers.
Fasten your seat belts: Flight attendant-turned-novelist shares stories from the sky
During her 10 years as a flight attendant, T.J. Newman became an expert in guessing drink orders and calming unruly passengers. She drew on those experiences to write the hijack thriller “Falling.”
Bishop resigns as pollution agency head prior to Senate vote
Laura Bishop resigned as Minnesota Pollution Control Agency commissioner rather than face a confirmation vote. She had been assailed by Republican lawmakers for pushing new standards around vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and food-packaging chemicals.
As demand for vaccines decline, public health shifts focus to small, targeted clinics
Just a few months ago, the state was launching massive COVID-19 vaccine clinics for anyone who was eligible. But now public health officials are focusing on clinics that are small and targeted to specific, sometimes hard-to-reach populations.
Tropical Storm Elsa gaining strength, lashing Florida Keys
In addition to damaging winds and heavy rains, the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening storm surges, flooding and isolated tornadoes.
New infrastructure deal must focus on climate, activists say
Climate activists and their Democratic allies in Congress are pressing with renewed urgency for huge investments to slow global warming, after a bipartisan infrastructure plan cut out some of President Joe Biden’s key climate initiatives.
4 more victims found in rubble; death toll rises to 32
The discovery of four more victims in the rubble of a collapsed Florida condominium building raised the death toll to 32, officials said Tuesday as a ramped-up search effort faced new threats from severe weather with Tropical Storm Elsa.
How a medieval city dealing with the Black Death invented quarantine
The wealthy merchant city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, had a problem. The Black Death was killing much of Europe, but Dubrovnik didn't want to lock down and lose business.
Why CRISPR gene editing could be the future of medicine
CRISPR gene editing is a relatively new tool, but it already offers amazing potential to cure genetic disease. Can we harness its promise without falling prey to its possible harms?
Following a wet and stormy Tuesday, Minnesota temperatures turn much cooler and are likely to stay below average through the weekend.
Nikole Hannah-Jones chooses Howard over UNC-Chapel Hill
Investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones says she will not teach at the journalism school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill following an extended fight over tenure there, and instead will take a tenured position at Howard University.
A cousin identified the man as 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. A candlelight vigil is planned at the scene of the shooting at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
A storm system moving across Minnesota brings noticeably cooler weather and a needed, soaking rain to most of the state, but it also comes with a severe weather risk.
After a promising start, demand for COVID-19 vaccines has dropped off considerably. Even with incentives ranging from free beer to amusement park tickets and park passes, people in some parts of the state, especially rural areas, have been reluctant to get shots. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Here's what you should know about that eye-popping sign-on bonus
Employers from Amazon to Disney World are offering big hiring incentives right now. While they're a great tool for employers, they're not always as good for workers.
Rural Minnesota counties lag in vaccination rates
After a promising start, demand for COVID-19 vaccines has dropped off considerably. Even with incentives ranging from free beer to amusement park tickets and parks passes, people in some parts of the state, especially rural areas, have been reluctant to get shots.