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Stories from August 18, 2021

Rep. Ilhan Omar weighs in on Afghanistan and America’s role

Rep. Ilhan Omar weighs in on Afghanistan and America’s role

MPR News host Tom Crann spoke with Rep. Omar, a DFLer who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District about the situation. The Congresswoman has called it “personally painful,” referring to her history of fleeing violence in Somalia with her family.
by Tom Crann and Grace Birnstengel

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Hazy, hot and humid through Friday

Hazy, hot and humid through Friday

Heat and humidity persist through Friday. Cooler and much less humid by Saturday.
by Paul Huttner

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Minnesota plans to spend $700 million to reduce ‘forever chemical’ water pollution in east metro

Minnesota plans to spend $700 million to reduce ‘forever chemical’ water pollution in east metro

The plan promises to create more water treatment capacity and help homeowners who use wells to address pollution from PFAS — human-made chemicals known for their ability to repel water and tendency not to break down.
by Nina Moini

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No mask mandate for the Minnesota State Fair, but officials urge people to wear them anyway

No mask mandate for the Minnesota State Fair, but officials urge people to wear them anyway: also, wildfires take a turn for the worse in northeastern Minnesota. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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These female Afghan politicians are risking everything for their homeland

These female Afghan politicians are risking everything for their homeland

As the Taliban take over Afghanistan, women bureaucrats are risking their lives and freedom to not only save their country and people — but to maintain the rights of women and girls.
by Dalia Faheid

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This book introduces you to the people doing your 'Dirty Work'

This book introduces you to the people doing your 'Dirty Work'

Author Eyal Press calls them "jobs of last resort" — slaughtering animals, working in prisons, engaging in remote drone combat. Society needs them but doesn't want to talk about them.
by Dave Davies

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'I love supporting my people'

'I love supporting my people'

Craft and maker markets give artists an opportunity to not only sell their work, but to gather with one another. In the Twin Cities, a new group is hosting events meant explicitly to share the work of Black, Indigenous and brown artists. 
by Jon Collins

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Biden to require COVID vaccines for nursing home staff

Biden to require COVID vaccines for nursing home staff

The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding.
by The Associated Press

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How agriculture is coping with this summer’s drought

How agriculture is coping with this summer’s drought

For farmers, the summer of 2021 is the best of times and the worst of times. Big farms that plant corn and soybeans are coping with the drought. But it’s a different story for small growers.
by Chris Farrell, Rachel Yang and Alex Cheng

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How agriculture is coping with this summer’s drought

How agriculture is coping with this summer’s drought

For farmers, the summer of 2021 is the best of times and the worst of times. Big farms that plant corn and soybeans are coping with the drought. But it’s a different story for small growers.
by Chris Farrell and Rachel Yang

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COVID-19 in MN: Positivity rate drops just below 5 percent

COVID-19 in MN: Positivity rate drops just below 5 percent

After a high number of cases reported Tuesday from the weekend, Wednesday’s data reveal cases and positivity rates slightly retreating during this fourth wave in the pandemic.
by MPR News Staff

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In Focus: Back to school, are the kids alright?

In Focus: Back to school, are the kids alright?

An In Focus conversation on mental health with a focus on BIPOC students heading back to school with guest Derek Francis, manager of counseling services at Minneapolis Public Schools.
by Rachel Yang

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Hennepin Co. Sheriff’s Office seeks to improve police interactions with sticker program

Hennepin Co. Sheriff’s Office seeks to improve police interactions with sticker program

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has launched a program to help first responders identify people who have autism, dementia and other conditions that should inform how they respond. Sheriff David Hutchinson spoke with host Tom Crann about the new stickers and police training and funding.
by Tom Crann, Megan Burks and Alex Cheng

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State Fair won't mandate masks, receives pushback

State Fair won't mandate masks, receives pushback

Organizers are strongly encouraging people to wear face masks and will require them in some cases. “Mandating masks fairgrounds-wide would be extremely difficult for our organization to enforce, so we are urging you to pitch in and do what’s right,” says health guidance from the fair.
by Mark Zdechlik and Will Matuska

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U.S. health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19

U.S. health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19

The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top authorities, calls for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The doses could begin the week of Sept. 20.
by The Associated Press

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Data of more than 40 million exposed in T-Mobile breach

Data of more than 40 million exposed in T-Mobile breach

T-Mobile says about 7.8 million of its current postpaid customer accounts' information and just over 40 million records of former or prospective customers who had previously applied for credit with the company were involved in a recent data breach.
by The Associated Press

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Wednesday stays hot and fires remain a concern

The heat and humidity continue Wednesday along with the near-critical fire weather conditions north.
by Nicole Mitchell

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More Minn. school districts requiring masks

St. Paul Public Schools is joining Minneapolis and several other districts in mandating face coverings in school buildings. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.  

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Taliban violently disperse rare protest; 1 killed, 6 wounded

Taliban violently disperse rare protest; 1 killed, 6 wounded

The Taliban violently broke up a protest in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, quashing a rare public show of dissent as they met with Afghan officials from the Western-backed government they toppled.
by The Associated Press

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'Do not give up': Americans help Afghans in new homeland

'Do not give up': Americans help Afghans in new homeland

Across the U.S., the agencies that resettle refugees and volunteers are scrambling to help Afghan citizens who are fleeing their country after helping the U.S. during the 20-year war there.
by The Associated Press

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