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Stories from July 21, 2021

Amid allegations and calls to resign, Rep. John Thompson sentenced for obstructing police at a hospital

Amid allegations and calls to resign, Rep. John Thompson sentenced for obstructing police at a hospital

Hennepin County Judge Michael Browne Wednesday sentenced DFL state Rep. John Thompson to six months probation and fined him $200 after a jury convicted him of obstructing the legal process.
by Matt Sepic and Brian Bakst

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COVID-19, academic slide and summer learning

COVID-19, academic slide and summer learning

The pandemic derailed nearly everything, including school. From college kids to kindergarteners, last year's effort at remote learning left many students struggling to stay focused and engaged. MPR News guest host Nina Moini speaks with educators about the COVID learning crisis and how families and officials are using these summer months to catch up. 
by Nina Moini and Maja Beckstrom

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Heat wave likely to persist through July

We’re already past the annual average number of 90-degree days in Minnesota. We’ll likely add another seven to 10 days of 90-degree heat through the rest of July.
by Paul Huttner

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Drug makers settle with Minnesota, other states, over opioid epidemic in landmark deal

Drug makers settle with Minnesota, other states, over opioid epidemic in landmark deal, and an embattled state legislator suffers a legal setback. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Wildfire smoke thinning, air quality improving

Wildfire smoke thinning, air quality improving

Tuesday’s northerly winds pushed in what appears to be the highest concentration of smoke particulates on record across Minnesota. But wind direction shifted into the southeast Wednesday across Minnesota.
by Paul Huttner

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The pandemic isn’t over

The pandemic isn’t over

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 is now a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Here’s what the fast-spreading delta variant means for the unvaccinated and the vaccinated alike.
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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As the smoke lifts, temperatures surge

The smoke plaguing Minnesota slowly diminishes, but the return of more sunshine allows temperatures to climb again, with hot and predominantly dry weather forecast into August.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Another smoky day across Minnesota Wednesday

Smoke and haze stay prevalent in the skies over Minnesota Wednesday, but it also helps cool temperatures closer to seasonable highs.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Bucks' 50-year wait ends with a title behind 50 from Giannis

Bucks' 50-year wait ends with a title behind 50 from Giannis

Giannis Antetokounmpo capped one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points as the Milwaukee Bucks won their first championship in 50 years. Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 to win the series 4-2.
by The Associated Press

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State’s largest water utilities ask residents to cut back on water use

Residents served by Minneapolis and St. Paul water utilities are being asked to conserve water, and move to odd/even watering schedules based on address. Mississippi River water levels are approaching among the lowest on record. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Contraception is free to women, except when it's not

Contraception is free to women, except when it's not

The Affordable Care Act requires most insurers to cover a comprehensive list of Food and Drug Administration-approved birth control methods at no cost. But insurers often make it hard for women to get the products they want.
by Michelle Andrews

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In 'Notes From The Burning Age,' we're the ones on fire

In 'Notes From The Burning Age,' we're the ones on fire

Claire North's new “Notes from the Burning Age” is set far in the future — but the titular burning age is our own, an age of waste and exploitation from which only fragments of knowledge remain.
by Jason Sheehan

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Weight of thousands of Minnesota COVID deaths falls on those examining every one

Weight of thousands of Minnesota COVID deaths falls on those examining every one

Every day, a small team of Minnesota Department of Health employees have been the first to see the bleakest consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic — the death certificates of people old and young, from around the state and of every race who have succumbed to the virus.
by Catharine Richert

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Lax oversight, no-bid contracts and mysterious pricing: Inside the black box of COVID testing

Lax oversight, no-bid contracts and mysterious pricing: Inside the black box of COVID testing

More than a year into the pandemic, many details about COVID testing remain unclear to the public, including how much the tests will cost taxpayers and how effective they really are. Nowhere is that more evident than in Minnesota.
by Tom Scheck

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In light of drought, Minneapolis and St. Paul set watering restrictions

In light of drought, Minneapolis and St. Paul set watering restrictions

They join a number of communities in Minnesota that have also implemented watering restrictions. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, residents are being asked to water their lawns on an even-odd schedule and to limit watering to mornings and evenings.
by MPR News Staff

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