Stories from August 29, 2021

A pleasant Monday; rain chances ramp up later this week
We’ll start the week with pleasant weather. Some showers and thunderstorms are possible later in the week. We have your forecast details, plus an update on Hurricane Ida.
Louisiana hospitals filled with COVID patients face Hurricane Ida
Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.
St. Paul police are investigating three separate fatal shootings early Sunday. Authorities said the shootings are the 19th, 20th and 21st homicides in the city this year.
With Biden looking on, the remains of 13 U.S. service members killed in Kabul return home
In hushed reverence, President Joe Biden stood witness with grieving families Sunday under a gray sky as, one by one, the remains of 13 U.S. troops killed in the Kabul suicide bombing were removed with solemnity from a military aircraft that brought them home.
Gold medalist Gable Steveson having fun as he considers next move
Wrestler Gable Steveson has been on the go since his dramatic last-second victory to earn an Olympic gold medal. He could go to mixed martial arts, professional wrestling or head back to Minnesota to defend his NCAA heavyweight wrestling title.
Vikings sign 10th-year safety Harrison Smith to $64M extension
The Minnesota Vikings signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith to a four-year contract extension on Sunday, securing the team's longest-tenured player for what could be the remainder of his decorated career.
Actor Ed Asner, TV's blustery Lou Grant, dies at 91
Ed Asner, the burly and prolific character actor who became a star in middle age as the gruff but lovable newsman Lou Grant, first in the hit comedy “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and later in the drama “Lou Grant,” has died. He was 91.
U.S. says drone strike killed IS bombers targeting Kabul airport
A U.S. drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying “multiple suicide bombers” from Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate on Sunday before they could attack the ongoing military evacuation at Kabul's international airport, American officials said. An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike.
A bright and breezy Sunday here; Ida making landfall in Louisiana today
Most of Minnesota will have a dry and breezy Sunday. The week ahead will bring us a couple of rain opportunities. We have details on that, plus a Hurricane Ida update.
These 3 books are perfect for your back-to-middle-schooler
LeUyen Pham has written and illustrated more than 100 books for kids of all ages — so we asked her to give us some solid middle-grade reading recmomendations for kids heading back to school.
Unvaccinated pastor who almost died of COVID now preaches the importance of vaccines
Pastor Danny Reeves encouraged some members of his congregation to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but thought he didn't need to get vaccinated himself. That changed after COVID-19 almost killed him.
Quiet Sunday weather here; update on Ida
Most of us will have a dry Sunday, but rain will linger into the morning in northeastern Minnesota. We have the details, plus a look at Hurricane Ida.
Hurricane Ida lashes Louisiana, knocks out New Orleans power
Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans, tearing roofs off buildings and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the Louisiana coast into one of the nation’s most important industrial corridors.
Areas of thunderstorms into Saturday night, with severe weather possible
Strong to severe thunderstorms moved through parts of Minnesota on Saturday, and the potential for severe weather lingers into Saturday night. Heavy rain is also possible. The daylight hours of Sunday look fairly quiet.
Welcome rain arrives as crews report some containment of Greenwood Fire
Steady rain fell across much of northeast Minnesota from Saturday into Sunday — with some reports of more than an inch of rain in the area where fire crews are battling the Greenwood Fire. Containment of the fire remains at 14 percent.