Stories from October 4, 2021

A 31-year-old Minneapolis man pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge for fatally shooting another man at the intersection where George Floyd died in police custody.
Fate of George Floyd pardon request now with Texas governor
A Texas agency has approved a request that George Floyd be granted a posthumous pardon for a 2004 drug arrest made by a now-indicted ex-Houston police officer whose case history is under scrutiny following a deadly drug raid. 
Biden lifts abortion referral ban on family planning clinics
The Biden administration is reversing a ban on abortion referrals by federally funded family planning clinics. Monday's action by the Department of Health and Human Services lifts a Trump-era restriction as political and legal battles over abortion grow sharper from Texas to the U.S. Supreme Court.
More Minnesotans face federal charges for January riot in Washington D.C. and COVID cases continue a steady march up, with active cases hitting new highs for 2021. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram suffer worldwide outage
Facebook along with its Instagram and WhatsApp platforms suffered a worldwide outage Monday that has extended more than three hours. Facebook's internal systems used by employees also went down. Service has not yet been restored.
What’s behind the staffing shortage in the service industry? 
If it seems like there's a help wanted sign in every business window, that's because the labor shortage in the service industry is real. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about its impact and why jobs are going unfilled. 
Biden is keeping key parts of Trump's China trade policy. Here's why
Democrats blasted former President Donald Trump for launching a trade war with China. But President Joe Biden's top trade official is vowing to enforce the Trump-brokered trade deal.
Minnesota DNR plans review of mining risk to Boundary Waters
Minnesota regulators will take public comments in November and December as part of a court-ordered review of whether the state’s regulations for nonferrous mining are adequate to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Talking Volumes: Kate DiCamillo on 'The Beatryce Prophecy'
Host Kerri Miller’s second Talking Volumes event of the season took place on Thursday, Sept. 30, with Kate DiCamillo, whose latest book is “The Beatryce Prophecy.”
October starts mild and dry. Wetter pattern ahead?
A more typical fall weather pattern may deliver widespread rainfall in the next two weeks.
'The Rose Code' is a gripping WWII thriller
Ask Katy Futrelle — owner of Horton’s Books and Gifts in Carrollton, Ga., — about one of her favorite books to recommend this year and she’ll tell you about Kate Quinn’s novel “The Rose Code.” 
COVID-19 in MN: Active cases, positive test rate climb
The summer-fall COVID-19 surge refuses to crest. Monday’s Health Department report shows new and active cases continuing to climb. Equally concerning: The rate of tests coming back positive for the disease is now higher than it’s been since January.
Sunny and warm weather prevail most of the week, but the same conditions are making for morning challenges with fog. A late week storm drops temperatures a little closer to average.
Most of eastern of Minnesota is starting Monday of with areas of fog, but it gives way to sunshine by late morning, and those sunny skies help put highs in the 70s.
Nobel Prize honors discovery of temperature, touch receptors
U.S.-based scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian were awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine on Monday for their discovery of the receptors that allow humans to feel temperature and touch.
Climate-proof Duluth? Why the city is attracting 'climate migrants'
Two years ago, a Harvard professor identified Duluth as a potential destination for future “climate migrants” — people who leave their homes due to rising sea levels or climate-related extreme weather. While initially met with some skepticism from locals, some people have already moved to Duluth because of climate change. And more are looking to come.
The newest data shows the disease is still firmly entrenched in Minnesota, with case counts pushing higher than what the state saw during its mid-April wave. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, October 4, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Runner who lost her vision finishes Twin Cities Marathon with guides by her side
After months of training, Laura Sosalla, who was declared legally blind earlier this year after a battle with COVID-19, ran the last mile of the Twin Cities Marathon alongside the women who helped her train and guided her along the way — exactly how Sosalla wanted her marathon experience to end.
Minnesota hawk watchers gear up for peak migration season
During the last decade, more than 7,000 birds of 19 total species have been recorded on average each fall, according to Bethany Lutheran College’s Hawkwatch webpage. Over the last three years, that number has jumped to 8,437 per fall season.
Leaked records open a 'Pandora' box of financial secrets
The report’s findings shed light on previously hidden dealings of hundreds of world leaders, powerful politicians, billionaires, celebrities, religious leaders and drug dealers, and how they have used offshore accounts to shield assets collectively worth trillions of dollars.