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Stories from August 20, 2021

Gusty winds push Greenwood Fire closer to cabins

The Greenwood Fire in northeast Minnesota is spreading. Crews are working to contain it, but winds are stronger Friday. That has made containment more of a challenge, as flames edge closer to cabins. This is the evening MPR News update for Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
by Nina Moini

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Greenwood Fire grows to more than 9,000 acres, forces more evacuations in NE Minnesota

Greenwood Fire grows to more than 9,000 acres, forces more evacuations in NE Minnesota

The Greenwood Fire in northeastern Minnesota grew to more than 9,000 acres early Saturday — up from fewer than 5,000 acres Friday morning — as firefighting crews prepared for gusty, erratic winds from a cold front moving across the region.
by Sarah Gelbard and Andrew Krueger

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Legislative auditor Nobles to retire

Legislative auditor Nobles to retire

Longtime government watchdog James Nobles said Friday he will end a long career as Minnesota’s legislative auditor on Oct. 5.
by Tim Pugmire

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New survey finds white unvaccinated Minnesotans strongly against COVID-19 shots

New survey finds white unvaccinated Minnesotans strongly against COVID-19 shots

A new survey by the APM Research Lab shows that there’s hesitation to get vaccinated among all unvaccinated Minnesotans, but that opposition to ever getting a shot is strongest among white residents.
by Catharine Richert

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Walz extends Minnesota's welcome mat to Afghan refugees

Walz extends Minnesota's welcome mat to Afghan refugees

In a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday, Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan offered to to work with the federal government to continue Minnesota’s history of welcoming refugees by assisting with the resettlement of people fleeing Afghanistan.
by The Associated Press

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Weekend forecast: Friday p.m. storms, then mainly quiet

Weekend forecast: Friday p.m. storms, then mainly quiet

Clusters of thunderstorms are expected to spread across Minnesota and western Wisconsin Friday afternoon and evening. A few severe thunderstorms are possible. We have details on that, plus your forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
by Ron Trenda

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How do we make more affordable housing?

How do we make more affordable housing?

Housing prices have soared over the past year. But the lack of affordable housing is a persistent problem in the U.S. How can we break that cycle?
by Chris Farrell and Kelly Gordon

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How do we make more affordable housing?

How do we make more affordable housing?

Housing prices have soared over the past year. But the lack of affordable housing is a persistent problem in the U.S. How can we break that cycle?
by Chris Farrell and Kelly Gordon

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More wind in the forecast for crews battling the Greenwood Fire

Friday and Saturday will be critical in the fight against the large Greenwood Fire in northeastern Minnesota, according to retired University of Minnesota climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley.
by Cathy Wurzer, Phil Picardi and MPR News Staff

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Biden addresses chaotic Kabul evacuation amid criticism

Biden addresses chaotic Kabul evacuation amid criticism

Facing a torrent of criticism, President Joe Biden plans to speak Friday about the chaotic evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan as the U.S. struggles with obstacles ranging from armed Taliban checkpoints to airport pandemonium and cumbersome red tape.
by The Associated Press

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Mike Richards resigns as host of Jeopardy!

Mike Richards resigns as host of Jeopardy!

Richards has been scrutinized over earlier allegations of a hostile work environment, as well as inappropriate comments he allegedly made about women on a podcast that he once hosted.
by Bill Chappell

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Needed rain Friday is the start of a more active weather pattern

Needed rain Friday is the start of a more active weather pattern

Minnesota sees a few opportunities for rain over the next week, beginning with storms Friday that could bring the best chance for both soaking rain and severe weather. Behind that storm, temperatures plunge then rebound quickly.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Do I need a booster if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

Do I need a booster if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

The U.S. is planning booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, but if you got the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot instead, stay tuned. Health authorities say a booster probably will be needed for that vaccine as well — but they don't have enough data yet to decide.
by The Associated Press

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Much of Minnesota sees soaking rain Friday

Much of Minnesota sees soaking rain Friday

A potent storm moves across Minnesota Friday bringing needed rain but also the risk for severe weather.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Under fire, Minnesota GOP chair Carnahan steps down

A week after a close associate was indicted on charges of sex trafficking of minors, Minnesota Republican Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan has resigned her post. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, August 20, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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A Texas lab performs crucial testing for Pfizer's COVID vaccine

A Texas lab performs crucial testing for Pfizer's COVID vaccine

The lab has access to a high-security facility that Pfizer needed to prove its COVID-19 vaccine was working. Now the scientists there are testing the vaccine's effectiveness against viral variants.
by Joe Palca

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The Sacklers want immunity from the opioid crisis for a long list of their associates

The Sacklers want immunity from the opioid crisis for a long list of their associates

In the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy trial now underway, scrutiny has focused on the Sacklers' demand for immunity from opioid lawsuits that would extend to a vast network of individuals and businesses.
by Brian Mann

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Vice President Harris heads to Vietnam as the shadow of Afghanistan looms

Vice President Harris heads to Vietnam as the shadow of Afghanistan looms

The long-planned trip is now complicated by the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which is drawing comparisons to the fall of Saigon in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
by Ayesha Rascoe

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Arriving cold front could push Greenwood Fire toward cabins this weekend

Arriving cold front could push Greenwood Fire toward cabins this weekend

During a public meeting Thursday night in Finland, Minn., fire officials said they’re concerned about a weather front arriving this weekend that could shift the path of the Greenwood Fire toward dozens of cabins and homes on nearby McDougal Lake.
by Dan Kraker

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Stacey Danner wavered on the vaccine, friends hope his story sways others to get shots

Stacey Danner wavered on the vaccine, friends hope his story sways others to get shots

Stacey Danner was an ardent cheerleader and advocate for his north Minneapolis neighborhood, for Black entrepreneurs and for his wide circle of friends from all walks of life. But this spring, he wavered on getting a vaccine and fell gravely ill with COVID-19. His story illustrates that vaccine hesitancy in Minnesota’s Black community is complex.
by Catharine Richert

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Under fire, Minnesota GOP chair Carnahan steps down

Under fire, Minnesota GOP chair Carnahan steps down

A week after a close associate was indicted on charges of sex trafficking of minors, Minnesota Republican Party Chair Jennifer Carnahan has resigned her post.
by MPR News Staff

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