Stories from July 27, 2021

State health officials are investigating “a cluster of cases” at the Castaway Club Young Life Camp on Pelican Lake, about 45 miles east of Fargo, North Dakota.
Excessive heat warning and severe risk Wednesday
Wednesday brings one of the hottest (and most humid) days of 2021. Severe storms may erupt late afternoon and evening.
Red Lake police officer slain and brutal heat blankets much of the state. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
A U.S. appeals court has ruled against a web designer who didn’t want to create wedding websites for same-sex couples and sued to challenge Colorado’s anti-discrimination law, another twist in a series of court rulings nationwide about whether businesses denying services to LGBTQ people amounts to bias or freedom of speech.
Think of your COVID-19 vaccine like a very good raincoat, says Dr. Leana Wen
It protects from drizzles and thunderstorms but not a hurricane. In other words, if you are exposed again and again to infected people, there's some risk you could get sick.
One woman takes a 'Wayward' approach to menopause in this smart new novel
Messy and foundering in late midlife, Dana Spiotta's heroine is roiling — along with the rest of the country — amid the 2016 election and the rise of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements.
Minnesotans urged to take care of themselves and others during extreme heat
With high heat and humidity expected over the next couple of days and an excessive heat watch in effect for the southern half of the state, experts advise Minnesotans to stay cool, hydrate, and watch out for others.
The FBI said it is investigating an early morning shooting Tuesday that killed an officer on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Red Lake authorities identified the officer as Ryan Bialke, 37.
Simone Biles reminds us that even superstars feel the pressure
By speaking openly about her struggle to get into the right mindset for the team final, Biles became the latest star athlete to address the mental aspects of high-stakes competition — and the struggles that are often invisible to the public.
Man pleads guilty to 4 Asian spa killings, sentenced to life
A man accused of killing eight people, most of them of Asian descent, at Atlanta-area massage businesses pleaded guilty Tuesday to four of the murders and was handed four sentences of life without parole.
CDC changes course on indoor masks in some parts of the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is changing course on some masking guidelines. The agency announced new recommendations Tuesday that even vaccinated people should return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
Parts of Minnesota will see heat index top 105 by Wednesday
Heat, humidity and strong storms continue to provide challenges for Minnesota through Wednesday, then the weather pattern shifts back to more typical July warmth.
A prismatic Prince returns on 'Welcome 2 America'
Keyboardist Morris Hayes, a longtime collaborator and friend of Prince, speaks with NPR's Noel King about his experience co-producing Prince's latest posthumous album “Welcome 2 America.”
State health officials say it is responsible for three out of every four COVID-19 cases in Minnesota right now. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
How Sandra Cisneros found space to be 'barefoot' and 'rude'
On the latest episode of Code Switch, Cisneros talks about why she became obsessed with houses, what it was like to finally buy one, and—spoiler alert—what it felt like to fall out of love with it.
Lakeville's Smith wins bronze in 100-meter backstroke
Australia’s Kaylee McKeown took gold with a winning time of 57.47, just off the world mark she set this year of 57.45. The silver went to Canadian Kylie Masse in 57.72, while former world record-holder Regan Smith won bronze at 58.05.
Researchers from Minnesota and Wisconsin are trying to figure out precisely what has caused the recent spike in blue-green algae blooms in Lake Superior. Six algae blooms have been discovered in the past decade between Duluth and the Apostle Islands, including one scientists just confirmed this summer.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka bounced out of Tokyo Olympics
Naomi Osaka has been the face of these Olympics and was chosen to light the cauldron in the opening ceremony. She easily won her first two tennis matches but lost in the third round