Stories from August 27, 2021

Minnesota State Fair officials said Friday that opening-day attendance was just under 62,000 people. That's less than half of the opening-day attendance of the 2019 fair, and about half of what was seen in 2018. Also, health officials say the number of hospitalizations of children is still low, but rising. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.
Minnesota State Fair first-day attendance down by half
First-day attendance at the Minnesota State Fair was down by roughly half as the fair returned after missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Walz joins MPR News to reflect on governing through pandemic
Gov. Tim Walz has been living and working through the pandemic and the racial reckoning, just like most Minnesotans. Beyond the budget, emergency powers and policing, he’s also dealing with fires and drought. He joined host Mike Mulcahy to talk about the challenges of governing during a pandemic, social upheaval and climate change.
Gov. Walz reflects on governing through the pandemic
Gov. Tim Walz has been living and working through the pandemic and the racial reckoning, just like most Minnesotans. Beyond the budget, emergency powers and policing, he’s also dealing with fires and drought. He joined host Mike Mulcahy to talk about the challenges of governing during a pandemic, social upheaval and climate change.
Line 3 protesters removed from Minnesota Capitol grounds, 4 arrested
The Minnesota State Patrol arrested four people Friday as they tried to clear the Minnesota Capitol grounds of one protest in order to prepare for other protests.
The corn is the key
Gustavo Romero opened Nixta in July 2020 because he saw a necessity to bring a better tortilla to Minneapolis and the state. The chef and owner of the northeast Minneapolis tortilleria stays close to tradition to produce authentic flavors.
Scattered Friday thunderstorms; Sunday will be driest weekend day
We’ll have thunderstorms at times through Friday night. A severe thunderstorm is possible. We have details on that, plus a look at weekend thunder chances.
Five days into the new school year, the Albert Lea Area Schools district is reinstating its mask mandate for grades six through 12 after 42 students tested positive for COVID-19, leading 290 to quarantine for exposure.
Climatologist: Fast rain may cause more problems than help
It may be pouring rain in parts of central Minnesota and the southern part of the state. But we may be getting too much too fast, and it might not be enough to help us get out of the drought.
The number of Minnesota students meeting grade level standards in math, science and reading is down significantly compared to the last time students took tests, in 2019. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, August 27, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Canada beats U.S. 5-1 in women's world hockey championship
Jamie Lee Rattray scored twice and Canada overwhelmed the United States 5-1 on Thursday night in the women's world hockey championship, ending the Americans' winning streak in the event at 29 games.