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Stories from October 12, 2021

Winston Smith killing: Prosecutor says deadly force justified, no charges

Winston Smith killing: Prosecutor says deadly force justified, no charges

The Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office had been reviewing the case of Smith’s killing in June when a task force including U.S. Marshals tried to arrest Smith for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
by MPR News Staff

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College cites 'scientific racism,' renames Linnaeus building

A private college in Minnesota has renamed its arboretum that originally honored an 18th century Swedish botanist who has been lambasted for promoting racist scientific theory, school officials said Tuesday.
by The Associated Press

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Americans quit their jobs at a record pace in August

Americans quit their jobs at a record pace in August

The Labor Department said that quits jumped to 4.3 million in August, the highest on records dating back to December 2000, and up from 4 million in July. Hiring also slowed in August. The report showed the number of jobs available fell to 10.4 million, from a record high of 11.1 million the previous month.
by The Associated Press

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Next on FDA's agenda: Booster shots of Moderna, J and J vaccines

Next on FDA's agenda: Booster shots of Moderna, J and J vaccines

With many Americans who got Pfizer vaccinations already rolling up their sleeves for a booster shot, millions of others who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine wait anxiously to learn when it's their turn.
by The Associated Press

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COVID test positivity hitting new vaccine-era high point as hospitalizations rise

COVID test positivity hitting new vaccine-era high point as hospitalizations rise. Also, the state’s eviction offramp passes a new milemark. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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5 things to know about St. Paul’s plan to close five schools

5 things to know about St. Paul’s plan to close five schools

The St. Paul school district is planning to close five of its school buildings — Highwood Hills Elementary, John A. Johnson Achievement Plus, Jackson Elementary, LEAP High School and Wellstone Elementary — and change 10 of its school programs as enrollment declines.
by Elizabeth Shockman

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Lego says it will work to rid its toys of harmful gender bias

Lego says it will work to rid its toys of harmful gender bias

The toy company says it will work to make its products and marketing more inclusive, citing new research into how kids and parents see creativity through a gendered lens.
by Rachel Treisman

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A Wisconsin brewery is helping parents sue school districts that don't require masks

A Wisconsin brewery is helping parents sue school districts that don't require masks

A school board “threw students into a COVID-19 'snake pit'“ when it axed mask requirements and other measures, a federal lawsuit says. A Minocqua, Wis., brewery is helping fund parents' legal fight.
by Bill Chappell

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Proctor High School football coach resigns amid investigation

The football coach at a small high school in northeastern Minnesota has resigned amid a police investigation into what district leaders describe as “player misconduct” on his team.
by Dan Kraker

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Talking music with The Current’s Jim McGuinn

Talking music with The Current’s Jim McGuinn

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with The Current’s Jim McGuinn about fall concerts and reconsidering the songs you used to dislike.
by Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

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Court panel joins state redistricting effort

Court panel joins state redistricting effort

A panel of five judges has joined the redistricting effort in Minnesota at the same time that House and Senate committees are preparing to draw new political maps. 
by Tim Pugmire

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'Dear Memory' digs into the shame accompanying immigrant silence

'Dear Memory' digs into the shame accompanying immigrant silence

Victoria Chang traces her family history through letter writing in her book, “Dear Memory.” In an NPR interview, she talks facing micro and macro aggressions and staying silent, just like her parents.
by Jeevika Verma, Reena Advani and Rachel Martin

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Eau Claire shuts down wells due to PFAS contamination

Wisconsin Public Radio reported Tuesday that the city announced in July that it had shut down four of its 16 wells after tests found PFAS levels exceeded the groundwater standard of 20 parts per trillion as recommended by state health officials. Now the city has closed down three more wells after more tests showed they're contaminated with a mix of PFAS chemicals.
by The Associated Press

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Gales of October: Wind, rain Wednesday; widespread frost possible Saturday

Gales of October: Wind, rain Wednesday; widespread frost possible Saturday

Expect gusts over 40 mph for most of the state Wednesday, winds that could blow down the rest of the fall leaf-peeping season. Highs rebound into the 50s and low 60s over the weekend under plentiful sunshine.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Moderna and J&J say their data supports COVID vaccine boosters

Moderna and J&J say their data supports COVID vaccine boosters

The Food and Drug Administration released briefing documents Tuesday on booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines, ahead of a two-day advisory meeting that starts Thursday.
by Scott Hensley

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A few lingering clouds over Minnesota Tuesday

A few clouds linger over eastern Minnesota again Tuesday, but overall, it will be another pleasant autumn day.
by Nicole Mitchell

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St. Paul district proposes closing 5 schools

The St. Paul public school district has put forward plans to close Highwood Hills Elementary, John A. Johnson Achievement Plus, Jackson Elementary, LEAP High School and Wellstone Elementary, due in part to declining enrollment. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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NPR poll: The delta surge pushed Americans further behind in all walks of life

NPR poll: The delta surge pushed Americans further behind in all walks of life

Many families are under financial stress, parents see kids seriously behind in school, huge rent bills and looming evictions and delayed medical care has negative consequences, to name a few.
by Selena Simmons-Duffin and Joe Neel

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Get the candy bowl ready: Fauci says Halloween is a go this year

Get the candy bowl ready: Fauci says Halloween is a go this year

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, told CNN that young children should be able to go trick-or-treating for Halloween this year.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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Climate change is causing problems for puffins

Climate change is causing problems for puffins

Maine's Atlantic puffins took a big hit this year. Chicks' survival rate plummeted after a record-setting "marine heat wave" disrupted food supplies.
by Fred Bever

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Profile: Historian Rodolfo Gutierrez says too many people stereotype Latinos as outsiders

Profile: Historian Rodolfo Gutierrez says too many people stereotype Latinos as outsiders

Rodolfo Gutierrez arrived in Minnesota 23 years ago from Mexico to pursue his Ph.D in history. He came with his wife and their two young children. When he finished the Ph.D program, Gutierrez became a history instructor.
by Vicki Adame

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