Stories from October 21, 2021

Teachers ask for virus protocols after student, staff deaths
Members of Minnesota's teachers union are calling on school leaders to do more to protect students and staff after the state Department of Health reported the first student death from COVID-19 this school year.
Minnesota, Finland agree to team up on climate change
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed a letter of understanding with Finland, pledging to encourage the state's agencies, universities and businesses to collaborate with Finland on sustainable technology.
The end of bias: Is it possible?
Host Angela Davis spoke with Minneapolis author Jessica Nordell about her new book exploring how bias shows up in our schools, workplaces and every part of life. And, if bias is a habit, can we unlearn it?
What it's like to be on the front lines of the school board culture war
Karen Watkins ran for her local school board because she wanted to be involved in her children's education. Since her election in 2020, she's been yelled at, threatened and followed to her car.
Host Kerri Miller’s third Talking Volumes event of the season took place on Oct. 13 with Amor Towles, whose latest book is “The Lincoln Highway.”
Q&A: Minneapolis Mayor and candidate Jacob Frey
Host Cathy Wurzer speaks with five of the leading candidates in Minneapolis’ mayoral race about their views and their plans. On Thursday, it was Mayor Jacob Frey’s turn. It’s part of a series of mayoral candidate interviews on Minnesota Now, a new weekly noon show on MPR News.
Found: Lost Halloween megastorm tapes from 1991
MPR meteorologist Paul Huttner found these tapes in a box after nearly 30 years. They show his live broadcast updates on WCCO-TV during the height of the Halloween megastorm the morning of Nov. 1, 1991.
What we know so far about Trump's planned social media platform
Former President Donald Trump has announced his intent to launch a long-anticipated social platform of his own, claiming to create a space to "stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech."
Ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor resentenced to 5 years in killing of Justine Ruszczyk
A former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman after she called 911 in 2017 was resentenced on Thursday to nearly five years in prison. A Hennepin County judge imposed the maximum sentence allowed for second-degree manslaughter.
Thursday’s “Song of the Day,” on Minnesota Now came from KMOJ general manager and DJ Freddie Bell.
In a special edition of Minnesota Today, host Cathy Wurzer interviews the leading candidates for Minneapolis mayor as part of her new weekday noon show, Minnesota Now. Mayor Jacob Frey spoke about why he’s running for re-election. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
In a special edition of Minnesota Today, host Cathy Wurzer interviews the leading candidates for Minneapolis mayor as part of her new weekday noon show, Minnesota Now. Sheila Nezhad spoke about her priorities for Minnesota’s largest city. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
Colder air that has settled across the state means all of Minnesota finally gets a first frost — and more areas see their first freeze. Next week turns slightly milder again, but also wetter.
Edwards energizes Wolves in opening 124-106 win over Rockets
The Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 124-106 victory over the Houston Rockets to start the season. Anthony Edwards energized the first full-size home crowd of his career with 29 points in 31 minutes for Minnesota.
Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor could soon be a free man. He’s scheduled to appear in Hennepin County District Court Thursday morning to be resentenced after the Minnesota Supreme Court overturned his third-degree murder conviction last month. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, October 21, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Federal plan to study environmental impacts of mining near BWCA draws praise, scorn
Opponents of copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters are cheering a decision from the Biden administration that could lead to a 20-year mining moratorium in the region. But supporters of the proposed Twin Metals mine near Ely say it threatens a chance to cash in on a rich treasure trove of valuable metals.
Ex-cop Noor set for June release after resentence in Ruszczyk killing
With his murder conviction overturned in the killing of 911 caller Justine Ruszczyk, ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor was resentenced Thursday to nearly five years in prison for manslaughter, less than half his original sentence.
Art Hounds: A dose of natural beauty, a pinch of Halloween horror
Wildlife photographer Dudley Edmondson captures the beauty of northern Minnesota’s waters. Art Hounds also recommend two one-act shows running through Halloween which make audiences question reality.
The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are investigating allegations that some male students started a competition this fall to see who could have more sexual encounters with female students.