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Stories from October 19, 2021

Renaissance Festival manager faces new sexual assault charges

Renaissance Festival manager faces new sexual assault charges

Scott County prosecutors have re-filed sexual assault charges against a former Renaissance Festival manager. Authorities dropped the case a year ago after the alleged victim said she was unable to testify.
by Matt Sepic

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MPD is looking for a new early intervention program — have they gotten any better?

MPD is looking for a new early intervention program — have they gotten any better?

The city of Minneapolis will soon be shopping for new early intervention software for police. The programs are designed to identify officers who are struggling before misconduct arises. They're also not new; they've been around since the 1980s and have often been criticized as ineffective.
by Steven John, Megan Burks and Matt Mikus

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Rainy Wednesday; frost returns by Friday

Rainy Wednesday; frost returns by Friday

Our balmy and sunny October weather is about to change.
by Paul Huttner

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The FDA wants you to be able to buy a hearing aid without a prescription

The FDA wants you to be able to buy a hearing aid without a prescription

For decades, the FDA has regulated hearing aids as prescription medical devices — an arrangement that adds to the cost and effort people must invest to get them.
by Bill Chappell

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Walz makes it official and says he's running for re-election next year

Walz makes it official and says he's running for re-election next year, and MSP is likely going to be busier than it has been in more than a year this week. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

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Billy Porter makes peace with himself: 'I set myself free, honey. No more secrets'

Billy Porter makes peace with himself: 'I set myself free, honey. No more secrets'

Fourteen years after his initial diagnosis, the Pose actor revealed publicly that he is HIV-positive. Porter says being open about his health status felt like a rebirth. His new memoir is “Unprotected.”
by Terry Gross

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Q&A: Minneapolis mayoral candidate AJ Awed

Q&A: Minneapolis mayoral candidate AJ Awed

Host Cathy Wurzer interviews Minneapolis mayoral candidate AJ Awed to explore his views on the biggest issues facing the city. It’s part of a series of mayoral candidate interviews on Minnesota Now, a new weekly noon show on MPR News.
by Cathy Wurzer

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How a north Minneapolis nonprofit is building strong neighborhoods

How a north Minneapolis nonprofit is building strong neighborhoods

Adair Mosley joined Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer to talk about how his organization is trying to keep the feel and affordability in north Minneapolis, where the city just approved a plan to redevelop 48-acres of riverfront property.
by Cathy Wurzer and Ariana Rosas

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History Theatre play 'Not in Our Neighborhood' shines light on a dark St. Paul story

History Theatre play 'Not in Our Neighborhood' shines light on a dark St. Paul story

In the 1920s, a Black couple tried to buy their dream home in an all-white neighborhood in St. Paul. They were not welcomed, but intimidated, harassed and threatened. Their story is being told on stage at the History Theatre in St. Paul through Oct. 24.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Minnesota traveling nurse returns home after grueling year fighting pandemic

Minnesota traveling nurse returns home after grueling year fighting pandemic

The current COVID-19 surge has stretched staffing at Minnesota hospitals to the thinnest margins since the start of the pandemic, with ICU capacity hitting an all-time low. To cope, many hospitals are turning to traveling nurses. Kirstin Wilson is one such professional. She spoke with MPR News guest host Steven John.
by Steven John, Megan Burks and Matt Mikus

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Walz is running again. And parents are eager for kids’ vaccines.

Walz is running again. And parents are eager for kids’ vaccines.

The top Minnesota stories for Tuesday, Oct. 19: Gov. Tim Walz is running again in 2022, and parents are weary while anticipating COVID-19 vaccine approval for kids ages 5-11.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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This book of poetry says, 'I have fists,' and the world needs to know

This book of poetry says, 'I have fists,' and the world needs to know

Chinese American poet Jane Wong's new collection, “How Not to Be Afraid of Everything,” grapples with fear and anger at her family's silence about what they suffered in China's Great Leap Forward.
by Jeevika Verma

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Warmest first half of meteorological fall on record

Warmest first half of meteorological fall on record

It’s the warmest on record for Duluth, Minn., and ties the warmest on record for the Twin Cities. Minnesota is just one of the areas setting records for the warmest start to meteorological autumn on record.
by Paul Huttner

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COVID-19 in MN: Signs summer-fall wave may be ebbing; hospitalizations dip

COVID-19 in MN: Signs summer-fall wave may be ebbing; hospitalizations dip

As Minnesota continues to grind its way through a hard stretch of COVID-19, the newest numbers offer the best hope in weeks that the worst of the current surge might — might — be over.
by MPR News Staff

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The National Park Service could soon have its first Native American director

The National Park Service could soon have its first Native American director

Charles "Chuck" F. Sams III could soon become the first Native American to head the National Park Service in the agency's history. A series of acting directors have led the department since 2017.
by Nell Clark

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UND student dies in flight training crash

Authorities are investigating after a University of North Dakota aviation student died after his plane crashed while on a training flight.
by Dan Gunderson

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U.S. expected to authorize mix-and-match COVID booster shots

U.S. expected to authorize mix-and-match COVID booster shots

Allowing mixing and matching could alleviate supply issues, make the task of getting a booster simpler for Americans and allow people who may have had adverse reactions to the initial dose to try a different shot.
by The Associated Press

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Why are so many Americans quitting their jobs?

Why are so many Americans quitting their jobs?

Americans are exiting their employers' doors and Zoom meetings in droves. In fact, 2.9% of the entire workforce quit their jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
by Greg Rosalsky

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Colder, more seasonable temperatures spread across Minnesota

Most of Minnesota sees another warm day Tuesday, but colder weather is already spreading in north, bringing highs only in the 40s and 50s by late week.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Gov. Walz makes it official: He’s running for a second term

Gov. Tim Walz will seek a second term in 2022. The DFLer made the announcement alongside Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, in a video released Tuesday morning. A handful of Republicans have already announced they will run, including Sen. Michelle Benson, former Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka, former Sen. Scott Jensen, Mike Marti, Mike Murphy and Neil Shah. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Minnesota sees a wide temperatures contrast Tuesday

Cooler air starts to spread in from the northwest Tuesday, causing a temperature contrast of about 30 degrees across Minnesota by the afternoon.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Dayton is spending some of its COVID aid in unexpected ways. It's not alone.

Dayton is spending some of its COVID aid in unexpected ways. It's not alone.

Dayton, Ohio, was desperate for COVID aid to help with basic services. Now the city finds itself awash in funds, and it's looking at creative ways to spend some of the largesse.
by Tamara Keith

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Jane Goodall encourages all to act to save Earth in 'The Book of Hope'

Jane Goodall encourages all to act to save Earth in 'The Book of Hope'

The primatologist says it's crucial that young people know how positive action can still shift the frightening trajectories of climate crisis, biodiversity loss and the ongoing global pandemic.
by Barbara J. King

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Gov. Walz makes it official: He’s running for a second term

Gov. Walz makes it official: He’s running for a second term

Gov. Tim Walz announced in a video Tuesday morning that he will seek reelection in 2022. A half dozen Republicans are already competing to run against him.
by MPR News Staff

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1 in 3 working families is struggling to find the child care they desperately need

1 in 3 working families is struggling to find the child care they desperately need

And more than 1 in 3 adults in households with children say they have experienced serious problems meeting both their work and family responsibilities, according to an NPR poll.
by Anya Kamenetz and Mansee Khurana

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Seeking protection and normalcy, parents eagerly await COVID vaccine for kids

Seeking protection and normalcy, parents eagerly await COVID vaccine for kids

In coming weeks, federal health officials are expected to sign off on the first COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. For many families, getting their kids protected against the virus will be a game-changer — closing the circle of COVID-19 risk around their families or just returning to a degree of normalcy. 
by Catharine Richert

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Mexico's new head consul in St. Paul stresses service, stronger ties

Mexico's new head consul in St. Paul stresses service, stronger ties

Ivan Roberto Sierra Medel serves as the official representative of Mexico for Mexican citizens across a swath of the Upper Midwest. MPR News spoke to him recently about his new job.
by Vicki Adame

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