Stories from November 4, 2021

How Jacob Frey won reelection
Jacob Frey’s opponents identified their strategy to defeat the incumbent mayor: don’t rank him. But thousands of voters didn’t listen. Not only did Frey collect the most first-choice votes — 43 percent — but another 9 percent of voters ranked him as their second choice, and 7.5 percent as their third choice. The result: another term for Frey.
Vaccine clinics for younger children expand in Minnesota
At one clinic in the gymnasium of Brooklyn Center Elementary, Gov. Tim Walz said there were more than 11,000 sites in the state where children ages 5 to 11 would be able to get the Pfizer vaccine, recently given emergency approval for use in the age group.
Minnesota rolls out school COVID clinics as kid vaccinations head higher and as COVID numbers take a turn for the worse and test positivity hits the highest weekly point since before Christmas. Also, the Minnesota Supreme Court will take up felon voting later this month. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Incumbent Andrea Jenkins holds on to Ward 8 in re-election win
Incumbent Andrea Jenkins, who became the first openly transgender Black woman elected to public office in 2017, was re-elected with more than 80 percent of the vote in her ward. She represents Ward 8 in south central Minneapolis, which includes George Floyd Square.   
COVID is still crushing parts of the U.S. as the holiday season approaches
The U.S. is entering an uneasy stretch of the pandemic. Despite progress, the delta surge is dragging on in certain regions. Can vaccines ward off a big surge over the holidays?
GOP candidates make 1st big pitch for governor
Guns, public safety and the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the list of concerns GOP candidates for governor addressed Wednesday at Minnesota State University.
New push coming to legalize sports betting in Minnesota
Key lawmakers in the Minnesota House and Senate said Thursday they will back legislation next year to legalize sports betting in the state.
'small change' hosts talk to aeroponic farmers in Bois Forte
small change: Money Stories from the Neighborhood is a podcast developed by people living with lower and unstable incomes that highlights practical ways to save and stay on budget. Hosts Chris Farrell and Twila Dang joined Cathy Wurzer to share a story from a recent episode.
Why education was a top voter priority this election
This week's election results show education issues foremost in the minds of many voters, and suggest many parents may be seeking a course correction after 18 months of disruptions.
Grieving a death during the pandemic
The pandemic has forced us to grieve differently. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks about how mourning rituals are changing and how we’re remembering loved ones who are gone. 
Talking Volumes: William Kent Krueger on 'Lightning Strike'
The New York Times bestselling author of “This Tender Land” joined host Kerri Miller at the Fitzgerald Theater for the finale of this season’s Talking Volumes.
Spies on opposite sides of the Cold War unite in 'From Warsaw With Love'
Reporter John Pomfret interviewed government officials and intelligence operatives and mined declassified files in Poland to write his fascinating story of the Polish-U.S. intelligence relationship.
St. Paul enacts some of nation’s toughest tobacco restrictions
The city of St. Paul passed sweeping new tobacco restrictions that set a minimum $10 price on a pack of cigarettes and packs of smokeless tobacco. They also ban discounts and coupons for any tobacco products, including vaping liquid. 
The recent cooler weather gives way to a few 60s by the weekend, under mostly sunny skies. Temperatures turn slightly cooler again next week, along with the return of wetter weather.
Biden's vaccine rules for 100 million workers are here. Here are the details.
Companies with at least 100 employees must ensure their workers get a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing. Some 17 million health care workers face a vaccine mandate, with no testing option.
How sexism and homophobia sidelined the National Women's Football League
The NWFL lasted from the mid-1970s to 1988, when it shuttered and the teams broke apart. A new book, Hail Mary, explores the league's origins and the problems that brought it to an end.
For poet Sonia Sanchez — at age 87 — there's more work to be done
For over 60 years, poet and activist Sonia Sanchez has helped redefine American culture, politics and education. She is this year's winner of the Gish Prize, a $250,000 lifetime achievement honor.
Under the influence of high pressure and a southerly wind flow, Minnesota sees another quiet day with warming temperatures.
It’s now illegal in St. Paul for residential landlords to raise their rent by more than 3 percent a year, after voters on Tuesday approved a rent control measure that’s among the strictest in the country. The law applies to both new and existing homes and bars landlords from making dramatic rent hikes between tenants. This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, November 4, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.
Fight for police reform will continue despite fall of ballot measure
Minneapolis voters may have rejected a ballot initiative to restructure public safety in the city, but longtime advocates for police accountability — some of whom opposed the amendment — say their fight isn’t over yet.
Minnesota voters strongly backed schools at polls
Of the 55 districts that asked local taxpayers Tuesday for more money to fund daily operations, three out of four got the OK, far above last year’s rate. Voters also agreed to keep many incumbent school board members.
Renters' advocates cheer Twin Cities voters' approval of rent control measures
It’s now illegal in St. Paul for residential landlords to raise their rent by more than 3 percent a year, after voters on Tuesday approved a rent control measure that’s among the strictest in the country. By the same margin, Minneapolis voters approved a ballot question that opens the door to rent control in that city.
Art Hounds: It’s all about the dance
Art Hounds recommend performances by Threads Dance Project, Jagged Moves and Rhythmically Speaking.
New chronic wasting disease test: Game-changer or unproven?
As Minnesota officials work to contain the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer, research is developing new technology that can help track the disease. But there's disagreement over how and when to use the technology.