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Stories from August 31, 2021

The Yes 4 Minneapolis charter amendment, explained

The Yes 4 Minneapolis charter amendment, explained

Minneapolis will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposal that would replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety. Here’s what voters should know.
by Jon Collins

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Vaccination rates rose in August as COVID cases surged due to the delta variant

Vaccination rates rose in August as COVID cases surged due to the delta variant

About 14 million U.S. residents got their first dose of a COVID-19 shot in August, which is about 4 million more than in July. Officials credit vaccine mandates by governments, schools and businesses.
by Joe Neel

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Exploring the new normal for Minnesota’s live theater scene

Exploring the new normal for Minnesota’s live theater scene

Three of Minnesota’s theater directors explained how their companies survived the pandemic and how they plan to thrive in a pandemic-cautious world.
by Euan Kerr and Susan Davis

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Exploring the new normal for Minnesota’s live theater scene

Exploring the new normal for Minnesota’s live theater scene

Three of Minnesota’s theater directors explained how their companies survived the pandemic and how they plan to thrive in a pandemic-cautious world.
by Euan Kerr and Susan Davis

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Northland hospitals feel the stress as latest COVID wave climbs

Northland hospitals feel the stress as latest COVID wave climbs

Hospital systems serving swaths of northeastern and northwestern Minnesota are struggling with the newest surge of cases and hospitalizations amid a shortage of health care staff and rising numbers of non-COVID patients.
by Dan Kraker and Dan Gunderson

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Hate crimes reach the highest level in more than a decade

Hate crimes reach the highest level in more than a decade

The 6 percent spike in hate crimes reported by the FBI for 2020 follows a recent upward trend in incidents. But some experts and advocacy groups say the true number is probably even higher.
by Joe Hernandez and Riham Feshir

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As Line 3 nears completion, pipeline battles are far from over

As Line 3 nears completion, pipeline battles are far from over

Opponents don't plan to give up trying to stop the pipeline, even as their legal options dwindle. They plan to continue contesting Line 3 through protests and in court even after oil begins flowing from Alberta, Canada.
by Kirsti Marohn

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How to keep kids in school safe from COVID-19

How to keep kids in school safe from COVID-19

Children’s hospitals are sounding the alarm over the growing impact of COVID-19 on pediatric healthcare. Dr. Marc Gorelick of Children’s Minnesota told host Cathy Wurzer that schools need to adopt masking, social distancing and vaccination policies to keep kids safe.
by Cathy Wurzer, Lindsay Guentzel and Alex Cheng

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Animal rights groups sue to stop Wisconsin wolf hunt

Animal rights groups sue to stop Wisconsin wolf hunt

A coalition of animal rights groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday to stop Wisconsin's wolf hunt this fall and invalidate a state law mandating annual hunts, arguing the statutes don't give wildlife officials any leeway to consider population estimates.
by The Associated Press

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Walz: No special session if Malcolm’s job is at risk

Walz: No special session if Malcolm’s job is at risk

Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he would not put Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm in the position of facing a vote by the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate to fire her. A special session was in the works next month on bonus pay for pandemic essential workers.
by Tim Nelson

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Another wave of wildfire smoke is drifting toward Minnesota

Another wave of wildfire smoke is drifting toward Minnesota

Most of the smoke should remain aloft above Minnesota. That means air quality at ground level should remain in the good range.
by Paul Huttner

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'Forever chemicals' found in groundwater near military bases

'Forever chemicals' found in groundwater near military bases

An environmental group says groundwater around at least six military installations in the Great Lakes region is contaminated with high levels of PFAS chemicals. The Environmental Working Group says Pentagon records show the compounds have been discovered in water around bases in Michigan, New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
by The Associated Press

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APM Reports documentary, 'Who wants to be a teacher?'

APM Reports documentary, 'Who wants to be a teacher?'

Schools around the country are struggling to find enough teachers. Many quit after a short time on the job, creating a constant struggle to replace them. Each year, there are close to 300,000 first-year teachers in the nation’s classrooms. At the same time, enrollment in teacher training programs at colleges and universities is plummeting, and schools are looking to other sources to fill teaching positions.
by APM Reports

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Man convicted of murdering Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018 gets life in prison

Man convicted of murdering Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018 gets life in prison

A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the abduction and killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, three years after she disappeared while out for an evening run.
by The Associated Press

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Rain returns to Minnesota Thursday

Seasonably warm weather continues through Wednesday, then a system that brings more rain to the state begins a trend of cooler temperatures.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Believe it or nut: Squirrel stashes food in Pine Co. deputy's squad car

“These nuts have now been placed in evidence,” said a Facebook post from the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. “If anyone sees a squirrel looking for his food, we are looking for said squirrel for questioning in relation to this incident.”
by Tim Nelson

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Tuesday brings another mild and mostly sunny day

Most of Minnesota sees another dry day Tuesday, and the seasonable temperatures in the 70s and low 80s continue.
by Nicole Mitchell

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With kids in school, demand for COVID-19 testing jumps

Kids across Minnesota are heading back to school amid a rise in COVID-19 cases spurred by the delta variant. Demand for testing is increasing, too, causing the state and health care providers to expand testing options just months after beginning to wind them down. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Thousands face weeks without power in Ida's aftermath

Thousands face weeks without power in Ida's aftermath

Ida ravaged the region's power grid, leaving the entire city of New Orleans and hundreds of thousands of other Louisiana residents in the dark with no clear timeline on when power would return. Some areas outside New Orleans also suffered major flooding and structure damage.
by The Associated Press

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As U.S. military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain

As U.S. military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain

As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure.
by The Associated Press

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Biden praises airlift, defends departure from 'forever war'

Biden praises airlift, defends departure from 'forever war'

The United States has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending America's longest war and closing a chapter in military history likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of more than 180 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, some barely older than the war.
by The Associated Press

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Immunity to COVID-19 could last longer than you'd think

Immunity to COVID-19 could last longer than you'd think

New studies look at how the mRNA vaccines affect the cells in your body in the short run and the long run. The findings are a counterpoint to concerns about waning immunity.
by Michaeleen Doucleff

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How climate change is fueling hurricanes like Ida

How climate change is fueling hurricanes like Ida

Hurricane Ida rapidly gained strength right before it hit Louisiana this weekend. Abnormally hot water in the Gulf of Mexico acted as fuel for the storm.
by Rebecca Hersher

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New threat emerges as crews fight Minnesota wildfire: Bears

New threat emerges as crews fight Minnesota wildfire: Bears

Officials leading the fight against wildfires in northeastern Minnesota are warning about a new threat: bears attracted by generous donations of food and other supplies.
by The Associated Press

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Donated goods for homeless people and trailer storing them disappear

Donated goods for homeless people and trailer storing them disappear

The organizer of the Thanksgiving Day Free Store said someone cut the locks off the trailer and towed it away from the St. Louis Park church where she'd been storing it.
by Matt Sepic

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