Stories from May 27, 2022

The 'zero landfill' promise often means burning waste — which is better?
Amazon, American Airlines, Subaru and other companies say they don’t send any waste to landfills. Dig deeper and you’ll learn that’s because they send waste to incinerators.
On remote US territories, abortion hurdles mount without Roe
Women from the remote U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands will likely have to travel farther than other Americans to terminate a pregnancy if the Supreme Court overturns a precedent that established a national right to abortion in the United States.
Official: Girl told 911 ‘send the police now’ as cops waited
Students trapped inside a classroom with a gunman repeatedly called 911 during this week’s attack on a Texas elementary school, including one who pleaded, “Please send the police now,” as officers waited in the hallway for more than 45 minutes, authorities said Friday.
Water levels in the Rainy River watershed in far northern Minnesota continue to rise. Voyageurs National Park has extended the closure of its backcountry until June 20. Dozens of campsites are closed, and all houseboat sites and day use sites are also affected by the flooding. This is the afternoon MPR News update for Friday, May 27, 2022. Hosted by Hannah Yang. Theme music by Gary Meister.
The race in Minnesota’s first Congressional District and what's next at the Capitol
Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Jeff Ettinger will face off in the August special election to fill the remainder of the term of the late U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Each won their party primary this week. MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with them both and also about what’s next after the Legislature ended its session without passing tax cut and spending bills. 
COVID-19 in MN: Hopeful signs as cases, wastewater loads trend lower
Even as anecdotes of cases pile up, some data this week indicates that this wave has started to decline. But like always throughout this pandemic, it’s a challenge to understand exactly what’s happening in our communities right now.
Former Washington County judge Tad Jude, a Republican, joins former judge Martha Holton Dimick, former Minnesota Bar Association president Jarvis Jones, former Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Mary Moriarty, former Minneapolis City Council Member Paul Ostrow, assistant Ramsey County Attorney Saraswati Singh and Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler.
Weekend weather: Summery! Some thunderstorms at times, but many dry hours
Summery temps and dew points are in our Memorial Day weekend forecast. We’ll see some thunderstorms at times, but we’ll have many more dry hours than wet hours. The severe weather outlook for the holiday weekend has been updated.
Boundary Waters canoeist recounts harrowing high-water survival tale
Two weeks ago a paddler nearly drowned in dangerous high-water conditions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He’s sharing his harrowing tale in the hope that others learn from his experience.
Summer heat and some storms over the weekend
Friday will be much warmer and brighter. Showers and storms are possible overnight into Saturday, and overnight Saturday into Sunday. Temperatures rise through the weekend. Expect a hot Memorial Day for southern Minnesota with scattered storms possible late in the day.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved another $1.2 million in settlements for people assaulted by police during the protests and unrest that followed the police murder of George Floyd. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
No special session? No matching money for federal construction funds
Minnesota’s share of some federal infrastructure money could be at risk if state lawmakers don’t resolve their impasse on a major spending bill that included required state matching funds. 
Sunshine Friday; warm weekend with some storms
Sunshine returns to almost all of Minnesota Friday. Temperatures will be much warmer, well into the 70s for most. Temperatures warm more over the weekend with some thunderstorm chances.
A good man: Exhibits honor 'Peanuts' creator Schulz on 100th
New exhibits at museums in Ohio and California are celebrating the upcoming centenary of the birth of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, the man who created the comic strip Peanuts.
At historic opener, Minnesota Aurora battle to a draw before sellout crowd
With a sellout crowd of more than 5,000 fans cheering them on, the Minnesota Aurora women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with the Green Bay Glory on Thursday night in Eagan, in the franchise’s first game.
Royals score 3 runs in eighth inning, rally past Twins 3-2
Whit Merrifield drove in two runs with a double and scored on Bobby Witt Jr.’s double, as the Kansas City Royals rallied for three runs in the eighth inning and beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
Mass shootings are so common that mayors now have a checklist for when one happens
Mass shootings have become so common in the U.S. that one group has created a mass shooting protocol checklist to guide mayors and city officials during the first 24 hours after a tragedy occurs.
Political realties have stopped legislative action after school shootings
The political climate has changed drastically since a 10-year assault weapons ban passed in 1994. The lack of political will and other barriers stand in the way of it even coming to a vote today.