Stories from August 23, 2021

Minnesota's biggest wildfire is getting bigger, and prompting more evacuations, as the smoke plume is visible from space. Also, a Grandstand act is skipping the Minnesota State Fair because of COVID. This is an evening update from MPR news, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
How the climate crisis affects our mental health
According to recent studies, Millennials and members of Generation Z think and worry more about climate change than people in older generations. Brandt Williams talks to a professor of psychology who focuses on how climate change affects our mental health, and to two young people who are working towards a better outcome for the planet.
How the climate crisis affects our mental health
According to recent studies, Millennials and members of Generation Z think and worry more about climate change than people in older generations. Brandt Williams talks to a professor of psychology who focuses on how climate change affects our mental health, and to two young people who are working towards a better outcome for the planet.
Wildfires in northern Minnesota continue to grow
Three wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest grew Monday amid gusty winds and continuing drought conditions.
Osterholm tries to dispel vaccine myths for Vikings players
Infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm is trying to dispel myths about the COVID-19 vaccine for the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Mike Zimmer has been trying to push players to get vaccinated.
Hamline University excavation offers window to the past, perspective for the present
A Hamline University professor and his students routinely tear up the campus lawn to excavate the remnants of a house that once stood there and learn about the people who occupied it.
State Fair grandstand act pulls out of Saturday show
Philadelphia-based Low Cut Connie canceled its Minnesota State Fair performance, citing the fair’s lack of mask or vaccine mandates.
U.S. regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. has given full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Monday may help lift public confidence in vaccinations as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.
School mask, vaccine mandates supported in US: AP-NORC poll
A new poll finds that a majority of Americans support mask and vaccine mandates for students and teachers in K-12 schools. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about 6 in 10 Americans say masks and vaccines should be required in schools.
Henri hurls rain as system settles atop swamped Northeast
The tropical depression Henri is expected to continue drenching the Northeast with rain as it moves slowly east from upstate New York through Massachusetts. The National Weather Service says another 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected Monday, and flood watches stretch from southeastern Pennsylvania to parts of Vermont and New Hampshire.
Warmer and muggier Monday. Scattered storms Monday night and Tuesday.
Widely scattered thunderstorms drifted across portions of Minnesota overnight. Expect warmer, more humid weather for Monday and Tuesday. Scattered storms are likely Monday night and Tuesday.
Dozens of rangers are fanning out across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to notify campers of the closure order now in effect. The entire BWCA is closed for at least a week because of increased wildfire activity and limited resources to respond to non-fire emergencies. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, August 23, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Gunfire at Kabul airport kills 1 amid chaotic evacuations
A firefight at one of the gates of Kabul's international airport killed at least one Afghan soldier early Monday, German officials said, the latest chaos to engulf Western efforts to evacuate those fleeing the Taliban takeover of the country.
Wilderness closed: BWCA cleared of visitors amid increased fire danger
Dozens of Forest Service rangers are paddling their way through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area telling campers they need to leave, after the wilderness was closed over the weekend because of wildfires.
It's called the bond taper. Yes, it's geeky. But this is why you should know about it
The Federal Reserve has provided massive support to markets through the pandemic. Now it faces a tricky decision: how to start removing some of that help without triggering a market sell-off.
As long-term care staff vaccines lag, a federal mandate could force change
The vast majority of Minnesota residents of long-term care are vaccinated; 95 percent of assisted living residents and 91 percent of people living in skilled nursing. But staff did not seek shots at the same rate.
Rev. Jesse Jackson and wife remain under observation for COVID-19
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife, Jacqueline, remained under doctors' observation Sunday at a Chicago hospital and were “responding positively to treatments” for COVID-19, their son told the Associated Press.