Stories from August 25, 2021

The U.S. paid billions to get enough COVID vaccines last fall. What went wrong?
Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's vaccine, the company delivered fewer doses than its government contract projected. Federal officials say they didn't know why.
Minnesota's Mediterranean Summer of 2021
Minnesota’s warm, dry summer of 2021 is more typical of a Mediterranean climate.
Judge denies request to allow guns at Minnesota State Fair
A Ramsey County judge has ruled against gun permit owners who sought the right to carry weapons at the Minnesota State Fair. The ruling on an injunction request won’t be the last word in the case, but comes as the 2021 fair opens on Thursday.
Firefighters get a break on northern Minnesota wildfires and the state fair returns tomorrow amid lingering concerns about the COVID pandemic. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
State Fair vendors hope to make lemonade from COVID's lemons
The Minnesota State Fair opens its gates Thursday for the first time since 2019. Many will be glad to get back to the end-of-summer tradition, after one of the most trying years of their lifetimes.
In 'Dopamine Nation,' overabundance keeps us craving more
Psychiatrist Anna Lembke's new book explores the brain's connection between pleasure and pain. It also helps explain addictions — not just to drugs and alcohol, but also to food, sex and smartphones.
Think you know where the stories in 'Skinship' are going? Think again
The eight short stories in Yoon Choi's extraordinary collection splinter out in unexpected ways, shifting focus from a single life to decades of complex family history.
Some large cities in Minnesota and across the U.S. are seeing a rise in violent crime. But what about suburban and rural communities? Guest host Brandt Williams explored the issue with two criminologists and a public policy expert.
Some large cities in Minnesota and across the U.S. are seeing a rise in violent crime. But what about suburban and rural communities? Guest host Brandt Williams explored the issue with two criminologists and a public policy expert.
It's not just the crops. Drought puts stress on farmers, too
As the drought lingers in much of the state, there is growing concern about mental health challenges faced by farmers and other people in rural Minnesota. 
Lovely Wednesday; showers and storms on Thursday, Friday
Much drier air is sliding in from the northwest to bring us a fine August day. Periods of showers and thunderstorms are on tap for Thursday, Friday and parts of the weekend.
Pentagon: U.S. troops must get their COVID-19 vaccines ASAP
Military service members must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says in a memo Wednesday, ordering service leaders to “impose ambitious timelines for implementation.”
Gov. Walz brings back COVID cash for shots at State Fair
Gov. Tim Walz just announced the program offering $100 Visa gift cards for the first 3,600 people to get a shot is being revived at the Minnesota State Fair.
J&J says a booster shot for its vaccine after 6 months may have big benefits
Johnson & Johnson said that when it gave study participants a second jab after six months, their antibody levels were nine times higher than they were 28 days after a first dose of the COVID vaccine.
Much less humid Wednesday
A cold front from the northwest will drop our dew points into the very comfortable zone on Wednesday. Then look for significant rain beginning on Thursday.
New details about the charges against Anton Lazzaro emerged in court as he sought release from custody pending trial. His arrest on sex trafficking charges contributed to upheaval in the state Republican Party’s leadership. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Biden to tackle cybersecurity with tech, finance leaders
President Joe Biden is meeting Wednesday with top executives from some of the country's leading technology companies and financial institutions as the White House works to enlist the private sector's help in firming up cybersecurity defenses against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
1st Paralympic gold medal goes to Paige Greco of Australia
Australian cyclist Paige Greco has earned the first gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics. She won the 3,000-meter pursuit on the track at the velodrome. It was the first of 24 gold medals up for grabs as the Paralympics got underway in the middle of a pandemic.