Stories from October 1, 2021

With last remaining fire-related closure lifted, the BWCA is now fully reopened
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now fully reopened to visitors, after a summer of closures due to wildfires. Officials announced Friday that the last remaining closure order in the wilderness was now lifted.
Prosecutors say Daunte Wright's killer had proper Taser training
The lawyers prosecuting Kimberly Potter, the former police officer who killed Daunte Wright, are planning to introduce evidence showing that Potter was trained in the proper use of a Taser.
Aug-tober: October weather maps coming up summery
Our overall weather pattern strongly favors warmer than average temperatures again this month.
Enbridge plans to start pumping oil through its new Line 3 pipeline today. The Canadian-based company announced earlier this week that after nine months of construction, the replacement pipeline is essentially complete. In other news, the Minnesota Department of Health is reporting a new daily high number of active COVID-19 cases for this year. This is an MPR News evening update for Oct 1, 2021. Hosted by Kirsti Marohn. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Report: Minnesota had 30 known victims of intimate partner homicide in 2020
Advocates are calling for more housing options and resources for survivors of domestic abuse as the pandemic highlights the ongoing disproportionate impact on Black and Indigenous women.
Alex Jones loses lawsuits over Sandy Hook 'hoax' conspiracy
A Texas judge has found Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones liable for damages in three defamation lawsuits brought by the parents of two children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre over his claims that the shooting was a hoax.
Minnesota Republicans to choose a new chair
Republican Party of Minnesota delegates will meet in Hopkins Saturday to elect a new party chair to replace Jennifer Carnahan, who stepped down in August. 
More than 17,000 deaths caused by police have been misclassified since 1980
Public health data experts have a new way to calculate the under-reporting of people killed by police. Criminologists call the results "interesting," but are reserving judgment on the accuracy.
COVID-19 in MN: Active cases climb to their highest in 2021
As the calendar turns to October, the newest data shows the disease still firmly entrenched in the state, with case counts now pushing higher than what Minnesota saw during its mid-April wave.
Weekend forecast: A bit cooler; best shower chance is on Saturday
Our first weekend of October will feature some brilliant fall colors in parts of Minnesota. High temps will be a bit cooler, but they’ll still be a few degrees above normal. We have details on all that, plus a look at weekend shower chances.
She lost her vision, but that won't keep this runner from the Twin Cities Marathon
Over the weekend, MPR News will follow Laura Sosalla and her guides Natalie Elmore and Rachael Bentley throughout their marathon experience, including on the 26.2-mile course from Minneapolis to St. Paul. You can follow along with Sosalla experience through MPRnews.org.
5 tips for planning travel this fall
The delta variant is taking travelers hesitant to book trips again. Host Angela Davis talks with two travel experts about the trends they’re seeing and what you should weigh as you make your fall travel plans.
A slow-moving storm brings rain across portions of Minnesota through much of the weekend, then sunny and mild weather prevails next week.
'I, Witness' makes world events visceral for young readers
A new, nonfiction book series for kids ages 9 to 12 is written by young people who've experienced trauma, including living through Hurricane Maria and facing discrimination and arrest after 9/11.
Education Dept. to overhaul the troubled Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
The program's confusing requirements led to crowds of frustrated borrowers being denied debt relief. The U.S. Department of Education will soon announce a series of long-term and temporary fixes.
A slow-moving storm is bringing showers and occasional storms through the state, and cooling highs in most areas to the upper 60s and low 70s.
Researchers share drone footage of what it's like inside Hurricane Sam
Scientists dispatched a specially designed surface drone into the middle of a Category 4 hurricane to gather data and give scientists a better understanding of such storms.
Republican members of a group working to distribute $250 million in bonus pay to frontline pandemic workers pitched a plan Thursday to send $1,200 checks to about 200,000 Minnesotans. Some of those who wouldn’t be included said the plan is unacceptable. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, October 1, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Merck says experimental pill cuts worst effects of COVID-19
Pharmaceutical company Merck says its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus. The company said it would soon ask health officials in the U.S. and around the world to authorize its use.
Electric car sales pitch heads to northern Minnesota to drive up interest
Some have expressed skepticism about whether electric vehicles can hold up during the winter, to questioning the higher costs. But advocates say they’ve seen doubt change to acceptance quickly as more drivers switch to electric.
How the drought is impacting Minnesota's fall colors; and leaf-peeping tips
After a summer of high heat and drought across Minnesota, the DNR’s fall color expert had predicted this year's season would be a bit of a flop. But as we enter the first weeks of fall, her predictions have taken a turn.