Stories from May 31, 2022

Texas police: Teacher closed propped-open door before attack
An exterior door at Robb Elementary School did not lock when it was closed by a teacher shortly before a gunman used it to get inside and kill 19 students and two teachers, leaving investigators searching to determine why, state police said Tuesday.
Two sue MPD, Chauvin for kneeling on their necks years before George Floyd's murder
Two people who allege that Derek Chauvin kneeled on their necks nearly three years before he killed George Floyd filed suit Tuesday against the former officer and the Minneapolis Police Department. In separate federal lawsuits, John Pope and Zoya Code, who are both Black, claim that the white officer violated their civil rights by using excessive force.
Meteorological spring report card
Monday’s stormy weather was in some ways indicative of our wet, stormy and cool spring.
Another small Minnesota town is picking up the pieces after a devastating tornado, and hundreds of students walk out to protest gun violence as funerals begin in Uvalde, Texas. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Lenders more likely to deny home loans to people of color in the Twin Cities
New research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis shows that the denial rate for home loans is higher for people of color than it is for White applicants. The starkest gap was between Black applicants at 4.3% and White applicants at 1.7%. MPR News host Tom Crann spoke with Alene Tchourumoff, Senior Vice President of Community Development and Engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, for more on the findings.
With 40 percent of food getting wasted, what are your strategies for wasting less?
Wasted food could instead help feed people who are struggling financially. And if we cut down our food waste, we are helping to cut back greenhouse gas emissions. How do you try to avoid wasting food in your home? MPR News host Angela Davis discussed with expert guests about how we can prevent food waste.
Pleasant stretch of days ahead
The cooler and more stable air continues to settle in. Temperatures overnight Tuesday night will be in the 40s for most, to low 50s in the Twin Cities urban heat island. Winds will also lighten up. Sunshine prevails on Wednesday.
Aaliyah Murray organized a statewide school walkout protesting gun violence. The walkout comes one week after a gunman killed 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. she joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what Minnesota students would like to see changed.
From the archives: The gift of a garden in troubled times
On this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas, MPR News host Kerri Miller talks with Tamar Haspel about her garden, which Haspel details in her new book “To Boldly Grow.” So we thought it was fitting to bring back a warm and introspective conversation with landscape designer Rebecca Winn for this week’s deep-cut track, where Winn shares how her garden was her restoration after heartbreak.
It has been just over a year since Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. The trial ignited a national conversation on policing. A new FRONTLINE documentary about it all is being released. Director Mike Shum joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more.
Aaliyah Murray organized a statewide school walkout protesting gun violence. The walkout comes one week after a gunman killed 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. she joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what Minnesota students would like to see changed.
How to avoid and treat poison ivy
Dr. Jay Sheree Allen is a physician at Mayo Clinic and host of the podcast Millennial Health. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how Minnesotans can protect themselves against poison ivy.
Windy Tuesday as cooler air moves in; pleasant few days ahead
After a stormy Monday, it’ll be cooler and windy Tuesday. Highs will be in the low 70s in the south to just the 50s in the northwestern parts of Minnesota. Winds will be from the west at 10-25 mph with higher gusts near 30-45 mph.
Cleanup will continue Tuesday across a wide swath of Minnesota after severe storms — including possible tornadoes — left a trail of major damage on Monday. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Cooler Tuesday; pleasant remainder of the week
Cooler air will continue to spill into Minnesota. We’ll see some pop up clouds and an isolated shower along with blustery west winds at 15-20 mph.
Twins' Carlos Correa tests positive for COVID-19
Carlos Correa has tested positive for COVID-19, the Minnesota Twins said after a 7-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the 27-year-old shortstop had not been feeling well but doesn’t have significant symptoms.
Progressives take a leaf out of the conservative playbook to target school boards
There has been a groundswell of conservative enthusiasm around school politics in the last few years. Progressives are hoping to have their own source of organization to counter that enthusiasm.
Schoop 3rd from Curaçao with 1,000 hits, Tigers top Twins
Jonathan Schoop became the third player from Curaçao with 1,000 major league hits and finished a home run shy of the cycle, helping the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 7-5 in the opener of a five-game series.
Cleanup continues across Minnesota after 'devastating' storms on Memorial Day
Cleanup continued Tuesday across a wide swath of Minnesota after severe storms — including at least one tornado — swept through on Monday. The mayor of the small town of Forada said the storms caused “devastating” damage, with major damage also reported in Eagle Bend and Deer River.
Bikes and braids: How one school district is teaching life skills, too
Biking and hair care: They don’t have much in common, but Rochester Public Schools leaders think otherwise. This spring they've started hosting after-hours events in select schools that teach both skills in an effort to bring real-life experiences to kids that get the entire community involved.
EU leaders agree to ban 90% of Russian oil by the end of 2022
The embargo covers Russian oil brought in by sea, allowing a temporary exemption for imports delivered by pipeline, a crucial move to bring Hungary on board a decision that required consensus.