Stories from September 1, 2021

Millions of people are missing from CDC COVID data as states fail to report cases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 data set is supposed to help track the pandemic, but a new NPR analysis has found the majority of fields are blank and millions of cases across the country are missing altogether.
Checking in on the child welfare system in Minnesota
As schools return to in-person learning, how will the child welfare system in Minnesota be affected? Host Tom Crann spoke with a social worker about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the system and the risks of overreporting.
Republican field for Minnesota governor starts filling out ahead of 2022, and hate crimes jump in Minnesota and the midwest. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
GOP hopefuls jockeying to face Walz hone in on COVID, crime
Minnesota Republicans saw significant developments Wednesday in their chase for a nominee to take on DFL Gov. Tim Walz in his expected reelection bid next year. 
Zebra mussel larvae found in Rainy Lake
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed Wednesday that zebra mussel larvae were found in four of five water samples taken in July from the 360-square-mile lake near International Falls.
Officers, paramedics charged in Elijah McClain’s 2019 death
Colorado’s attorney general says three officers and two paramedics have been indicted on manslaughter and other charges in the death of Elijah McClain. The announcement Wednesday comes two years after the 23-year-old Black man was put in a chokehold and injected with a sedative in suburban Denver.
APM Reports documentary, 'Under Pressure: Inside the college mental health crisis'
Even before the pandemic, campus counselling services were reporting a marked uptick in the number of students with anxiety, clinical depression and other serious psychiatric problems. College administrators are feeling pressure to do more to retain students whose mental health issues might otherwise lead them to drop out – and to ensure that students don’t harm themselves or others.
Freeman won't seek reelection as Hennepin County prosecutor
"When you get into your 70s and worked nonstop for over 50 years, I think you're entitled to a rest,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman told MPR News.
GOP's Benson runs for governor; Gazelka poised to enter race
The GOP field for governor expanded Wednesday with Sen. Michelle Benson announcing a run and Sen. Paul Gazelka leaving his majority leader post ahead of an expected announcement.
Coming off what was the hottest summer on record for many spots around the state, September is off to a more seasonable start, with highs mostly in the 70s.
Joy, concern for students with ADHD as in-person learning returns
As schools go back to in-person learning, students with ADHD are hoping to return to some semblance of routine. Host Tom Crann spoke with an expert on children with ADHD about the challenges they’ve faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your dog may know if you've done something on purpose, or just screwed up
An experiment involving dog treats suggests our canine pals may understand the difference when a human withholds a treat by accident versus doing it on purpose. But don't press your luck.
Minnesota gets one final mild and mostly sunny day Wednesday before clouds and rain start to move back in.
In Ida's aftermath, no quick relief in sight for Louisiana
Louisiana residents still reeling from flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Ida scrambled for food, gas, water and relief from the sweltering heat as thousands of line workers toiled to restore electricity and officials vowed to set up more sites where people could get free meals and cool off.
A new report says the COVID recession has pushed Social Security insolvency up a year
The new projections in the annual Social Security and Medicare trustees reports indicate that the program will be unable to pay full benefits in 2034. Last year's estimated exhaustion date was 2035.
Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he is rethinking plans to call a special legislative session next month, after a senior Senate Republican told a Capitol rally that he's ready to oust the state's health commissioner. The special session had been planned to approve special bonus pay for essential pandemic workers. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Advocates hope White Earth wild rice case will boost 'rights of nature'
The White Earth Nation filed suit last month against the state Department of Natural Resources in tribal court, contending a water use permit for the Enbridge Energy Line 3 pipeline puts wild rice at risk. Experts say the case for protecting wild rice in Minnesota could be important for the larger rights of nature movement.
Ranked choice voting, explained
Ranked choice voting is used in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Bloomington and Minnetonka elections. It’s complicated, but not that complicated. Here’s a refresher on the process.
What to know about the ‘strong mayor’ ballot amendment in Minneapolis
Minneapolis voters in November will have the chance to decide whether the city’s governmental structure needs to be revamped to give the mayor more executive authority over city agencies.