Stories from November 3, 2021

Kids start getting COVID shots at the Mall of America, and Jacob Frey wins a second term in a historic election that also marks the first time ever the city of Minneapolis has had people of color as a majority of members. Also, St. Peter elects its first woman mayor in a century — following Minnesota’s first female mayor, back in 1921. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
For the first time, the majority of Minneapolis City Council members will be people of color
In the first Minneapolis City Council election since the murder of George Floyd last year, new candidates won seven races. The 13-member council, the most diverse in the city’s history, will immediately confront crucial questions about public safety, rent stabilization and government structure.
Paul McCartney knew he'd never top The Beatles — and that's just fine with him
The forthcoming documentary “Get Back” revisits The Beatles' final days together. McCartney says he took the band's breakup hard: "It was quite difficult, because I didn't know what to do at all."
Appetites: Book highlights history and local connection to manoomin
Tashia Hart's new book, “The Good Berry Cookbook,” highlights the history of wild rice in the Great Lakes region and features recipes from other Native American chefs that highlight the grain, including Marissa Lee's recipe for wild rice stuffed squash.
How school board races turned out across Minnesota
A large number of school board seats were open on Election Day this year. School board members and observers blame the turnover on everything from controversies over COVID-19 precautions to how to talk about the roots of race and racism in schools.
Minneapolis votes against proposed amendment to replace its Police Department
Minneapolis voters on Tuesday rejected a controversial plan that would have restructured the city’s Police Department by replacing it with a new Department of Public Safety. Fifty-six percent of voters cast their ballot against the measure.
Warming trend: 60s again this weekend
Another late fall warm front is heading for Minnesota.
Frey wins second term as Minneapolis mayor
Although he didn’t get enough first-choice votes to win outright, Mayor Jacob Frey prevailed in further vote counting in the city’s ranked choice system, the city’s elections office said Wednesday.
Election 2021: Hearing your thoughts on the election results
Voters in the Twin Cities turned out in strong numbers to weigh in on city council, mayoral, schools board races and more. MPR News host Angela Davis recaps the election results and hears analysis on what the results mean for Minnesota.
COVID-19 vaccinations for young children begin this week
The rollout comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old. The decision comes at a critical time when many new cases of the virus are cropping up among school-age children. Gov. Tim Walz and state public health leaders are briefing reporters on the state’s plan to vaccinate younger Minnesotans.
Warming weather pattern will peak this weekend; mild into next week
Wednesday will be a cool but pleasant day with just a light breeze. A stronger southerly flow will push our temperatures into the delightful category for the weekend.
Duluth elects Azrin Awal as its first Asian American City Council member
Azrin Awal, a 25-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, is also the first Muslim to join the council in the mostly white port city on Lake Superior. Awal's campaign focused on inclusion, affordable housing and climate issues.
Quiet weather into next week; warming for the weekend
Wednesday will be one last cooler-than-normal day before temperatures build toward a very mild weekend.
Minneapolis voters on Tuesday soundly defeated a controversial plan intended to remake policing in the city. A proposed amendment — question No. 2 on the ballot — would have altered the Minneapolis police structure and dropped language from the city charter tying the size of the force to the city’s population. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
COVID-19 vaccine campaign expands to elementary-age children
With authorities promising enough vaccine to protect the nation's 28 million kids ages 5-11, pediatricians' offices, pharmacies, hospitals and schools were poised to begin the shots after the final OK late Tuesday.  Many locations planned mass vaccination events in coming days.
St. Paul, Minneapolis voters back rent control
Minneapolis voters on Tuesday gave the City Council the OK to put rent controls in place. St. Paul voters took it further, backing a ballot measure that will place a 3 percent cap annually on most rent increases.
Minneapolis voters reject plan to overhaul city policing
Minneapolis voters on Tuesday soundly defeated a controversial measure intended to remake policing in the city. In a stunning turn, two City Council members who supported the change lost their bids for reelection.
Votes are coming in for New Jersey's governor race. Follow along for live updates
If Gov. Phil Murphy wins Tuesday's gubernatorial election against Republican Jack Ciattarelli — and polls show that's likely — he will be the first Democrat to win reelection in N.J. since 1977.
New York elects Eric Adams as its second Black mayor
Adams' job now is to lead the city out of the effects of the pandemic, historic job losses, skyrocketing housing prices, and a broke transportation system.
Here are the latest results in Virginia's race for governor
Tuesday's most-watched race is the governor election in Virginia because of what it bodes for 2022 national politics. Will Democrats hold on to control of the state or can Republicans pull out a win?