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Stories from July 12, 2021

Summer camps hit with COVID outbreaks — are schools next?

Summer camps hit with COVID outbreaks — are schools next?

The U.S. has seen a string of COVID-19 outbreaks tied to summer camps in recent weeks in places such as Texas, Illinois, Florida, Missouri and Kansas, in what some fear could be a preview of the upcoming school year.
by The Associated Press

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The business of hijabs

The business of hijabs

Host Angela Davis spoke with two Minnesota women who are changing the retail hijab market with their innovative designs. Hilal Ibrahim first made headlines with her medical grade hijab used by health care workers as well as patients. She recently expanded her brand, Henna & Hijabs, to include luxury hijabs available at Nordstrom. Fatima Hussein is a co-founder of Asiya, an active wear brand specializing in modest clothing for active women.  
by Susan Davis and Angela Davis

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Not enough time, resources for full COVID-19 review, Minnesota's legislative auditor says

Minnesota lawmakers want a comprehensive, independent review of Gov. Tim Walz’s COVID-19 decisions over the past year. But that likely won’t happen. Also, the latest on wildfires burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Monday, July 12. Hosted by Riham Feshir. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Riham Feshir

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As the world moves on, the unvaccinated and vulnerable are still dying from COVID-19

As the world moves on, the unvaccinated and vulnerable are still dying from COVID-19

Even though the pandemic has abated — for now — a handful of people are still dying from COVID-19 every day, and for the most vulnerable the war against the virus is anything but over. Among them are people who’ve had organ transplants who received their shots but have suppressed immune systems.
by Catharine Richert

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Back in Cannes, Sean Penn directs again, with daughter Dylan

Back in Cannes, Sean Penn directs again, with daughter Dylan

Sean Penn's latest film, “Flag Day,” was adapted from Minnesota journalist Jennifer Vogel’s 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.”
by The Associated Press

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'Startup Wife' satirizes tech culture and boardroom sexism — from experience

'Startup Wife' satirizes tech culture and boardroom sexism — from experience

Tahmima Anam's new novel is about a married couple who found a tech startup. The platform's success turns the husband into a messiah figure — even though it was his wife who designed it.
by Terry Gross

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COVID-19 vaccines are just the beginning for mRNA innovations

COVID-19 vaccines are just the beginning for mRNA innovations

Both the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines were built using new mRNA research, to astounding success. What’s the next big thing mRNA science could tackle?
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan relinquishes post

Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan relinquishes post

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has relinquished his position at a ceremony in the capital of Kabul, taking the United States a step closer to ending a 20-year military presence that became known as its “forever war.”
by The Associated Press

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Heavy rain and a severe weather risk midweek

The quiet weather pattern of the past couple days changes midweek when a strong storm brings both a heavy rain potential and the risk for severe weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Scientists: Pup births hopeful sign for Isle Royale wolves

Scientists: Pup births hopeful sign for Isle Royale wolves

Scientists say wolf pups have been spotted again at Isle Royale National Park. And that's a hopeful sign for efforts to rebuild a gray wolf population that had nearly died out.
by The Associated Press

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New Minn. law sets standards for ballot drop boxes

The COVID-19 pandemic made absentee ballot drop boxes a popular option for voters.  But until now, there has been no uniform standard governing their use in Minnesota.  This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, July 12, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Funky fish: Gar garners protections from Minnesota lawmakers

Funky fish: Gar garners protections from Minnesota lawmakers

The long, slender, toothy and prehistoric-looking fish will, for the first time ever in the state, be protected in ways similar to other gamefish, the result of a bit of an outcry on social media following a series of mass killings that some saw as wantonly wasteful.

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Endangered butterfly gaining momentum in North Dakota

Endangered butterfly gaining momentum in North Dakota

The Dakota skipper was listed as threatened in 2014, meaning it's on the verge of becoming endangered. Habitat loss has depleted the species' population over the past few decades, limiting it to the prairies of North Dakota and select parts of neighboring states and Canadian provinces.

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Hazy sunshine again Monday

Although conditions improve somewhat Monday, smoke from wildfires in Canada keep much of the state hazy, while highs stay in the 80s.
by Nicole Mitchell

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'Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light' is a baker's dozen of sharply funny essays

'Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light' is a baker's dozen of sharply funny essays

Helen Ellis, author of “American Housewife” and “Southern Lady Code,” is back with her third book in five years — in which the connection with her longtime, close-knit female friends features prominently.
by Heller McAlpin

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July 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases edge back above 1K; deaths stay low

July 12 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases edge back above 1K; deaths stay low

A slow, steady trickle of new cases the past few weeks has pushed known, active COVID-19 cases above 1,000 for the first time in nearly three weeks. Still, there are no signs of the upswing Minnesota saw in April.
by MPR News Staff

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New law sets basic standards for absentee ballot drop boxes

New law sets basic standards for absentee ballot drop boxes

Secretary of State Steve Simon calls the guidelines a “breakthrough.” However, some lawmakers still want to see tighter security measures in place before 2022 elections.
by Tim Pugmire

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MN lawmakers sought deep COVID audit; they won’t get it

MN lawmakers sought deep COVID audit; they won’t get it

As part of the new budget, Minnesota lawmakers called for a top-to-bottom review of actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Legislature won’t get that exhaustive look. 
by Brian Bakst

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Texas GOP advances voting restrictions as hundreds push back

Texas GOP advances voting restrictions as hundreds push back

Texas Republicans advanced bills Sunday that would make voting harder in a state that already has some of the nation's toughest restrictions after hundreds spoke against the proposals — with some of those opponents waiting almost 24 hours to speak.
by The Associated Press

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