Stories from October 22, 2021

Judge issues injunction blocking Wisconsin fall wolf hunt
A judge has granted a request from wildlife advocacy groups and blocked Wisconsin's fall wolf hunt two weeks before hunters were set to take to the woods. Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost issued a temporary injunction Friday halting the season, which was set to begin Nov. 6.
A Minneapolis police officer is facing manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges after a vehicle chase left a man dead last summer. Elsewhere, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter says the city is requiring its employees to get vaccinated against COVID for public safety reasons. This is an MPR News evening update for Oct 22, 2021. Hosted by Nathan Stevens. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 
A former Wisconsin high school teacher accused of secretly videotaping undressed students during field trips was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison after reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Rochester sisters sue U.S. government over treatment at border detention center
The two were traveling from Honduras to Minnesota to reunite with their mother in June 2019 when they were detained. The lawsuit alleges mistreatment from border agents that includes physical abuse, being held in cages and inadequate access to food and water. The sisters also allege guards forced children to compete over leftover food.
A group of FDA advisers were meeting Tuesday to review data on the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. To talk more about the anticipated decision and what it means, host Cathy Wurzer talked to Dr. Nathan Chomilo, a pediatrician at Park Nicollet Brookdale and senior equity adviser to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
In a special edition of Minnesota Today, host Cathy Wurzer interviews leading candidates for Minneapolis mayor as part of her new weekday noon show, Minnesota Now. The four candidates she talked to earlier in the week were all DFLers, so on Friday we heard from Jerrell Perry with the “For the People” party. Theme music is by Gary Meister.
Cathy Wurzer interviews Gov. Tim Walz on Minnesota Now
To top the last show of the first week of Minnesota Now, Cathy Wurzer interviewed Gov. Tim Walz.
Q&A: Minneapolis mayoral candidate Jerrell Perry
MPR’s Cathy Wurzer concludes her week-long series of interviews with candidates for mayor of Minneapolis. On Friday: Jerrell Perry of “For the People.”
Frosty weekend ahead
Our weekend air mass finally feels like late October.
The latest in Minnesota sports from Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson
It’s been an eventful week in Minnesota sports, and there’s more to look forward to this weekend. To help us unpack everything that’s been going on, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Friday.
What declining community college enrollment means for higher education
Enrollment at colleges and universities across the country declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, and community colleges saw the steepest drop in enrollment. Host Angela Davis explored enrollment trends at community colleges in Minnesota, and what it means about the state of higher education.
Friday’s Song of the Day on Minnesota Now came from Will Moore, the music director at WTIP in beautiful Grand Marais.
COVID-19 in MN: Trends point to crest in summer-fall wave
Minnesota’s COVID-19 numbers this week continue to signal the worst of the current surge may be over. New cases, hospitalizations and the positive test rate are all trending lower than two weeks ago, the first time that’s happened since July.
Weekend forecast: Cool temps; Sunday rain chances in southern Minnesota
It’ll definitely be jacket weather this weekend, and gloves might feel good during the chilly morning hours. We have your weekend forecast details, including who could see some Sunday showers. We also have the updated fall color report.
St. Paul mandates COVID-19 vaccines for city employees
The city of St. Paul announced Thursday that it will require all city workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021, without an option of routine testing for those who don’t want to get the shot.
Explainer: Is it time to get a COVID-19 booster? Which one?
Millions more Americans are now eligible for COVID-19 boosters, and they can get a different vaccine than their first shots. A number of factors, including the vaccine you started with and when your last dose was, help determine when you qualify.
Minneapolis cop charged in pursuit crash that killed innocent driver
Hennepin County prosecutors said Friday that officer Brian Cummings has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide for crashing his squad into a Jeep driven by Leneal Frazier as the officer pursued another vehicle suspected of being stolen.
Much of Minnesota saw its coldest morning of the season Friday, which will be topped by an even colder start Saturday. Next week brings a couple rain chances across the state.
Baldwin: Killing of cinematographer was 'tragic accident'
Alec Baldwin said Friday that his killing of a cinematographer with a prop gun on a movie set was a “tragic accident” as authorities investigated the shooting, which also wounded the director.
On-set deaths from prop guns are rare — but not unheard of
The death of director of photography Halyna Hutchins on a film set in Santa Fe, N.M., is a reminder that prop weapons can pose a serious risk. But Hollywood history includes only a few such incidents.
St. Paul city employees will have until Dec. 31 to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with no option for a testing alternative. Mayor Melvin Carter announced the mandate on Thursday. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, October 22, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Queen Elizabeth II back at castle following hospital visit
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is back at Windsor Castle and in good spirits after revelations that she spent the night in a London hospital earlier this week.
Much of Minnesota is beginning the day Friday with the coldest morning so far this season and temperatures warm little from that chilly start.
Indigenous communities see rise in COVID-19 cases
COVID-19 case numbers are falling again across the state, but cases remain extremely high among Native Americans, who over the past month have contracted COVID at two to three times the rate of white Minnesotans.
New Timberwolves owner Marc Lore visits Minneapolis
Besides buying the Timberwolves and the Lynx and building a futuristic city called Telosa, he’s learning to play basketball.