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Stories from August 16, 2021

Minnesota GOP chair urges vote on her leadership

Minnesota GOP chair urges vote on her leadership

Under fire on several fronts, Minnesota Republican Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan said she welcomes a vote of confidence or no confidence. It comes amid fallout from a sex-trafficking case involving a top GOP donor and ally.
by Brian Bakst and Matt Sepic

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Afghan natives and vets in Minnesota watch developments with fear, resignation

Afghan natives and vets in Minnesota watch developments with fear, resignation as Taliban regains control of the country, 20 years after being ousted. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson.

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Minnesota sees widespread rain chances by late week

Haze, heat and humidity dominate Minnesota’s forecast through Thursday, then a more active weather pattern brings needed rain into the state by late week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Greenwood Fire in northeastern Minnesota continues to grow, threaten cabins

Greenwood Fire in northeastern Minnesota continues to grow, threaten cabins

The Greenwood Fire has grown to an estimated 2,000 acres. It started Sunday in a remote part of the Superior National Forest and is being driven northward by gusty winds and low humidity.
by Dan Kraker

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Cardinal hospitalized with COVID, breathing with ventilator

Cardinal hospitalized with COVID, breathing with ventilator

One of the Catholic church's top officials and fiercest critics of Pope Francis has COVID-19 and is breathing through a ventilator. Cardinal Raymond Burke tweeted on Aug. 10 that he had caught the virus, was resting comfortably. His staff tweeted Saturday that he has been hospitalized and is breathing through a ventilator.
by The Associated Press

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Families who receive food stamps will see the largest benefits increase in history

Families who receive food stamps will see the largest benefits increase in history

The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families — the largest single increase in the program's history.
by The Associated Press

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Tackling inequality with basic income initiatives

Tackling inequality with basic income initiatives

Universal basic income and many of its derivatives have gained traction over the last few years. Guest host Chris Farrell talked with two experts about the benefits of these programs, challenges and lessons learned. 
by Chris Farrell and Ariana Rosas

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Biden says he stands 'squarely behind' Afghanistan decision

Biden says he stands 'squarely behind' Afghanistan decision

Striking a defiant tone, President Joe Biden said Monday that he stands “squarely behind” his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan as he acknowledged the “gut-wrenching” images coming out of the country after the swift Taliban takeover of the government.
by The Associated Press

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Tackling inequality with basic income initiatives

Tackling inequality with basic income initiatives

Universal basic income and many of its derivatives have gained traction over the last few years. Guest host Chris Farrell talked with two experts about the benefits of these programs, challenges and lessons learned. 
by Chris Farrell and Ariana Rosas

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Minnesota extends $100 vaccine incentives for another week

Minnesota extends $100 vaccine incentives for another week

Any Minnesotan age 12 or older who gets their first shot through Sunday can claim a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who has gotten their first shot since July 30 is eligible.
by The Associated Press

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Heat builds in, then rain chances increase late week

Heat and humidity are on the rise the first half of the week, and smoky haze returns to the skies of Minnesota. Then, needed rain finally makes a comeback.
by Nicole Mitchell

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The town that inspired John Steinbeck has a new literary star

The town that inspired John Steinbeck has a new literary star

Jaime Cortez's debut collection, “Gordo,” is set in and around the same dusty California town that inspired John Steinbeck. It's a lovely portrait of a time and place that still manages to be universal.
by Michael Schaub

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'A very difficult decision': Minnesota schools divided on masking

'A very difficult decision': Minnesota schools divided on masking

Most Minnesota school districts are only recommending, not requiring masks. Administrators say they worry about what the divide on masking will mean for keeping kids safe and maintaining enrollment.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Crews battling new, 'rapidly growing' wildfire in northeastern Minnesota

Superior National Forest officials said the fire — estimated at “several hundred acres” in size — was spotted Sunday near Greenwood Lake, about 35 miles north of Two Harbors. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, August 16, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Smoky haze returns across Minnesota skies Monday

A southerly wind pattern continues to draw warmer and more humid weather across Minnesota Monday as smoke moves in from western fires.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Taliban take over Afghanistan: What we know and what's next

Taliban take over Afghanistan: What we know and what's next

On Monday, President Joe Biden acknowledged that the collapse of the Afghan government happened much more quickly than he anticipated, but said he stood “squarely behind” his decision to pull U.S. troops out.
by The Associated Press

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7 killed in Kabul airport chaos as Taliban patrols capital

7 killed in Kabul airport chaos as Taliban patrols capital

Afghans rushed onto the tarmac of the capital’s airport on Monday as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized power with stunning speed. Some clung to the side of a U.S. military transport plane before takeoff, in a widely shared video that captured the sense of desperation as America’s 20-year war comes to a chaotic end.
by The Associated Press

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Death toll nears 1,300 in Haiti after massive earthquake

Death toll nears 1,300 in Haiti after massive earthquake

As rescuers work against the threat of an approaching storm, officials continue to assess the damage after buildings throughout the island nation were flattened by the 7.2-magnitude quake.
by Matthew S. Schwartz

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