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Stories from November 19, 2021

‘This is a place for all of us’: The changing face of the Twin Cities skate scene

‘This is a place for all of us’: The changing face of the Twin Cities skate scene

Skateboarding — at least in the mainstream — has historically been a sport dominated by young boys. Slowly, the skate scene is welcoming a new generation of people across all identities. We visited skateparks around the Twin Cities and heard from a group of diverse skaters about their experiences and perspectives on the state of skating.
by Peter Sherno

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The Blue Earth County Attorney's office says Olivia police officer acted within the law during killing

The Blue Earth County Attorney's office says an Olivia police officer acted within the law when he shot and killed Ricardo Torres, Jr. in July.  This is an MPR News evening update for Nov 19, 2021. Hosted by Nathan Stevens. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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President Biden pardons turkeys, Peanut Butter and Jelly, ahead of Thanksgiving

President Biden pardons turkeys, Peanut Butter and Jelly, ahead of Thanksgiving

In President Joe Biden's first turkey pardon, he spared two turkeys from the Thanksgiving dinner table. The turkeys' names — Peanut Butter and Jelly — were from a list submitted by schoolchildren.
by Tien Le

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Doctor speaks up on behalf of health care workers struggling against rising COVID cases

Minnesota has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in the country, and hospitals are overwhelmed. Last Friday, a Minnesota pulmonologist, Dr. Brian Hartz, took to Facebook to make an impassioned plea on behalf of struggling health care workers.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Amazon deforestation in Brazil hits its worst level in 15 years

Amazon deforestation in Brazil hits its worst level in 15 years

Deforestation in the region rose 22 percent compared to the year prior, according to data released just days after Brazil made new global promises to combat environmental degradation.
by Emma Bowman

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MN sports roundup with Sloane Martin: Vikings vs. Packers, Gophers football and basketball

MN sports roundup with Sloane Martin: Vikings vs. Packers, Gophers football and basketball

Sloane Martin joined host Cathy Wurzer to break down the upcoming Vikings vs. Packers border battle, the ending of the Gophers football season, the beginning of the Gophers men's and women's basketball seasons, and Martin's new job as a play-by-play announcer for the Big Ten Network.
by Cathy Wurzer

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A Minnesotan with Alzheimer's plans for death on her own terms

A Minnesotan with Alzheimer's plans for death on her own terms

When Cheryl Hauser of Hopkins, Minn., was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she made plans to eventually end her life on her own terms through a process called VSED, or voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, before the worst of the disease takes hold. Hauser and her daughter spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about the decision.
by Cathy Wurzer and Julia Franz

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Eyes on the pies 

Eyes on the pies 

Who wants pie? Do you like pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple or cranberry? Host Angela Davis spoke with pie bakers about how to get that flaky crust and why eating and making pies nourish family and cultural traditions.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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Magic of Dayton’s building returns with maker's market

Magic of Dayton’s building returns with maker's market

Dayton's department store may have disappeared in 2001, but the old Dayton’s building in downtown Minneapolis is open again with a maker's market on the first floor. Kobi Gregory and her mom, Tasha Harris, told host Cathy Wurzer what it's like to be one of the Minnesota vendors back in the legendary space as part of the Departments at Dayton's project.
by Cathy Wurzer and Kelly Gordon

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Jury finds Rittenhouse not guilty in Kenosha shootings

Jury finds Rittenhouse not guilty in Kenosha shootings

Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all charges after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha, Wis., shootings that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice.
by The Associated Press

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Doctor speaks up about the plight of health care workers as COVID cases surge

Doctor speaks up about the plight of health care workers as COVID cases surge

Minnesota has one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in the country, and hospitals are overwhelmed. Last Friday, a Minnesota pulmonologist, Dr. Brian Hartz, took to Facebook to make an impassioned plea on behalf of struggling health care workers.
by Cathy Wurzer and Lindsay Guentzel

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Latest on COVID in MN: As Thanksgiving nears, pandemic digs in

Latest on COVID in MN: As Thanksgiving nears, pandemic digs in

Key COVID-19 numbers are hitting new highs for the year just days before a Thanksgiving holiday that will bring many together indoors for celebrations, the kind of conditions that lead to more viral spread. On Friday, state officials greenlighted COVID-19 booster shots for all fully vaccinated Minnesotans.
by MPR News Staff

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Weekend forecast: Nice Saturday; blustery winds, some flakes Sunday

Weekend forecast: Nice Saturday; blustery winds, some flakes Sunday

Temperatures will be a bit above average on Saturday, then plummet on Sunday. We have your weekend forecast, including winds and who could see a bit of snow on Sunday.
by Ron Trenda

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Snow chances return Sunday; Thanksgiving looks chilly, quiet

Following quiet weather Friday, two cold fronts impact Minnesota over the weekend, returning snow, gusty winds and colder temperatures to the state.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Biden to have routine colonoscopy, transfer power to Harris

Biden to have routine colonoscopy, transfer power to Harris

Press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden would be under anesthesia during the procedure and would transfer power to Kamala Harris. Harris, the first woman, person of color and person of South Asian descent to be vice president, will be making history during the short time she is serving as acting president.
by The Associated Press

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U.S. opens COVID boosters to all adults, urges them for 50+

U.S. opens COVID boosters to all adults, urges them for 50+

The decision Friday seeks to simplify what has been a confusing list of who's eligible. Now for anyone 18 or older, the only requirement is to be at least six months past their last dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months past the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
by The Associated Press

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Fall precipitation easing yearlong drought conditions

As fall weather sets in, cooler temperatures bring widespread precipitation, providing welcome relief from yearlong drought conditions that prevailed in most of the state.
by Cathy Wurzer and Mark Seeley

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Not as cold on Friday

Friday will be a relative quiet day, with less wind than Thursday, no precipitation expected, and temperatures that run very close to normal.
by Nicole Mitchell

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Minnesota COVID surge creates ER bottlenecks

Hospital beds around Minnesota are at capacity due to an onslaught of COVID-19 patients, and the trend is creating an unprecedented crunch in emergency rooms. Doctors say patients are waiting dangerously long times for beds and higher levels of care. This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, November 19, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

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Minnesota COVID surge creates dangerous ER bottlenecks

Minnesota COVID surge creates dangerous ER bottlenecks

Hospital beds around Minnesota are at capacity due to an onslaught of COVID-19 patients, and the trend is creating an unprecedented crunch in emergency rooms. Doctors say patients are waiting dangerously long times for beds and higher levels of care.
by Catharine Richert

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Remembering Dave Frishberg, songwriter of 'I'm Just a Bill'

Remembering Dave Frishberg, songwriter of 'I'm Just a Bill'

Songwriter Dave Frishberg reluctantly said “I’m Just a Bill,” the song from the TV show “Schoolhouse Rock,” was his most famous. Frishberg died Wednesday in Portland, Ore., where he’d been living since the 1980s. He was 88.
by Tom Crann and Kyle Shiely

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Republican AG candidate faces suspended law license

Republican AG candidate faces suspended law license

Dennis Smith, who is running for Minnesota attorney general, has signed an agreement that could lead to a 30-day law license suspension and years of probation after that.
by Brian Bakst

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WNBA changes its playoff format to more traditional bracket

WNBA changes its playoff format to more traditional bracket

The WNBA announced Thursday that the postseason will consist of three rounds — best-of-three games for the first round and best-of-five games for subsequent ones — beginning this summer. The top eight teams overall will make the playoffs.
by The Associated Press

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