Stories from October 15, 2021

In one Texas district, teachers were told to give 'opposing' views of the Holocaust
An administrator with the Southlake School District reportedly made the statement during a meeting when a new state law came up. It says multiple perspectives should be presented on certain topics.
Drivers license exam sites reopening, complaints linger
A state Senate committee got an update Friday on the plan for reopening drivers license testing stations that were closed due to COVID-19. Most are still shut, but all should be open by early next year.
A Capitol Police officer is accused of telling a Jan. 6 suspect to hide evidence
Federal prosecutors have accused a U.S. Capitol Police officer of obstruction of justice for allegedly encouraging a suspect in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to hide evidence of their participation.
The governor has called upon he National Guard to help free-up capacity in Minnesota's long-term care facilities, as hospitals buckle under the weight of the latest wave of COVID-19. State leaders are pleading with Minnesotans to get vaccinated, as hospitals hit a capacity crisis. This is an MPR News evening update for Oct 15, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini.   Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
Apple fires #AppleToo leader as part of leak probe. She says it's retaliation
Janneke Parrish says she was fired from Apple as part of an investigation tracing the source of leaks to the press. She co-led the #AppleToo movement, part of growing labor unrest in Silicon Valley.
Frost advisories, freeze warnings for much of Minnesota
Clearing skies, lighter winds and a cold October air mass will bring widespread frost and freezing temperatures to much of western Minnesota Saturday morning. For many locations, this will be the first frost and freezing temperatures of the fall season.
Murder charges upgraded in Highway 169 shooting in Plymouth
Jamal Lindsey Smith now faces first-degree murder, which carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Authorities allege Smith fired a fatal shot through Jay Boughton's driver's side window as the man drove home from a youth baseball game with his son on July 6.
Meet Minnesota’s new poet laureate Gwen Westerman
Host Angela Davis talks to Gwen Westerman about poetry, Dakota history, quilting and how she’ll use her new role to draw attention to underrepresented poets in the state. 
An FDA panel of experts backs J&J COVID vaccine booster
A panel of experts voted to recommend that the Food and Drug Administration authorize a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine at least two months after the first shot.
COVID-19 in MN: 'Critical point' as hospitalizations, frustrations climb
While there are some signs the current wave may be flattening, hospitalizations continue to rise — a reality that left Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm exasperated Friday after visiting a suburban Minneapolis care center.
Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says all is not lost
Don’t despair! That’s the message from climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. There is a path forward when it comes to saving the planet. And it begins with you.
Live, down to earth, unscripted interviews that aim to connect, inform and entertain. Real people share real stories with Cathy Wurzer. It’s journalism that doesn’t take itself too seriously and puts people first. Minnesota Now launches on Monday, Oct. 18, on MPR News. It's airs every weekday at noon, and podcast episodes featuring highlights from the show will be posted every afternoon.
Seasonably chilly weather Friday leads to widespread frost Saturday morning, but temperatures rebound quickly with a few 70s possible early next week.
Six people were shot and injured in Minneapolis in three separate incidents that occurred within 45 minutes of each other. Police say the medical conditions of all the victims were not immediately known.
Friday brings a seasonable chill for mid-October, but coming off of such a warm summer and mild fall, that chill is actually the coldest many parts of the state have been in over five months.
Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter is charged with first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright last April. Her trial is scheduled to begin November 30. In a new filing, her defense team says Potter may argue her use of the gun was an "innocent accident" or an "innocent mistake." Prosecutors have said they plan to introduce evidence from other encounters with civilians that show Potter knew the correct way to draw her Taser. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, October 15, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
A federal appeals court is once again allowing Texas to continue banning most abortions. The decision Thursday night keeps the law known as Senate Bill 8 in place as the Justice Department tries to halt the law.
Summer drought may pare fall apple season
Farmers across the state were hit hard by the summer drought, and it’s lingering impacts are now showing up at orchards and pumpkin patches across the state. Some orchards are reporting smaller apples and shortened seasons.
'Why We Fly' flips dusty old cheerleader stereotypes upside down
In their new YA novel, Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal tell the story of a cheerleading squad whose white captain convinces them to take a knee to protest injustice — and the backlash that follows.
For towns along Line 3, pipeline workers brought welcome boom — while it lasted
The construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline brought a flood of workers to communities along its 340-mile route across northern Minnesota. With the pipeline complete, business is returning to normal.
Former President Bill Clinton is hospitalized but 'on the mend'
His spokesperson says Bill Clinton was admitted to University of California Irvine Medical Center to receive treatment for a "non-Covid-related infection" and is in "good spirits."