Stories from July 26, 2021

Health providers, including Mayo Clinic, are taking a tougher stance on vaccinations with mandates popping up from California to New York. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
St. Cloud’s police chief on building community trust and the future of policing
St. Cloud Police Chief Wm. Blair Anderson is one of only four Black police chiefs in the state of Minnesota. Host Angela Davis spoke with Anderson about his work in St. Cloud, building community trust and what comes next for policing.
Supporters rally for Rep. Thompson at Capitol
Supporters say the DFL lawmaker has been treated unfairly by political leaders and the press.
VA requires COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers
The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, as the aggressive delta variant spreads and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people.
Severe risk: Midnight thunder Monday?
Scattered severe storms may rumble across central and northern Minnesota Monday night.
COVID-19 in MN: Unvaccinated 'extremely vulnerable' to delta strain
The delta variant “means trouble for people who never got vaccinated,” Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters. "The problem here is very much a problem of unvaccinated people getting exposed to an extremely contagious and dangerous virus."
July 26: Where and when to watch Minnesota Olympic athletes
Minnesota athletes will be competing in basketball, volleyball and swimming. Here’s when and where you can watch them on Monday.
Teatro Latino remembered as its founder battles cancer
The pioneering theater company Teatro Latino staged its last show in the 1990s but is being remembered for its groundbreaking work as founding member Ana Maria Mendez faces terminal cancer.  
Are vaccine mandates on the horizon?
With COVID-19 cases on the rise in almost every state, some workplaces and universities are starting to require the vaccine for returning employees and students. Is that the right step?
Former U swimmer Bowe Becker wins gold in 4x100 freestyle relay
Caeleb Dressel gave the U.S. a lead it never relinquished, swimming the first leg in a blistering 47.26 seconds. Blake Pieroni and former Gopher Bowe Becker kept the Americans out front before Zach Apple turned in an anchor leg of 46.69 to leave no doubt at the end.
Humidity is on the rise across Minnesota, and will combine with hot weather to create dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, rain is back in the forecast but it brings a significant severe weather risk, especially Monday.
Sparked by pandemic fallout, homeschooling surges across U.S.
Some U.S. parents say they're planning to continue to homeschool their children, even as schools resume in-person classes. The U.S. Census Bureau says the rate of households homeschooling their children rose to 11 percent by September 2020, doubling from 5.4 percent six months earlier.
Humid air pushes across Minnesota Monday, adding to the storm risk and making the already high temperatures feel even warmer.
While parts of the state saw much-needed rain over the weekend, it wasn’t enough to break the ongoing drought – which is threatening some private water wells that rely on rain to recharge. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, July 26, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
‘Attention please’: The new voices of MSP airport
The airport decided to take a different approach to its public address system — holding open auditions for employees to become the voices reminding and instructing travelers.
Drought threatens to empty water wells in parts of Minnesota
Parts of Minnesota saw much-needed rain over the weekend, but it wasn't enough to break the ongoing drought. And the abnormally dry conditions are threatening some private water wells that rely on rain to recharge. In severe cases, shallow wells are out of water.
How a U.S. Olympic pair keeps going after one tests positive for the coronavirus in Tokyo
When a U.S. beach volleyball player tested positive for the coronavirus, his teammate needed to find another partner before their first Olympic match. It was devastating but they're continuing to fight.
U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky takes silver in her first final in Tokyo
Australia's Ariarne Titmus narrowly edged her out of gold in the 400-meter freestyle final. Katie Ledecky, the biggest star of U.S. swimming, has a fierce rivalry with Titmus.
Cameron Champ fends off heat to win 3M Open in Blaine
Cameron Champ fended off dehydration and crisply putted his way to a 5-under 66 on Sunday, winning the 3M Open in Blaine by two strokes for his third career victory.