Stories from June 6, 2022

The last of the trials for the death of George Floyd have now been moved to 2023, and St. Louis Park is trying to sort out it’s second catastrophic water main break. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Solar power is on a roll in Minnesota
MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two solar developers about how solar energy is growing in Minnesota and challenges facing the industry.
Untangled Roots celebrates the culture and history of diverse communities across Minnesota and unpacks the issues and events that have impact. This signature podcast of the MPR News North Star Journey project unearths novel angles on familiar topics, hidden stories and fresh voices. Subscribe!
OK to restart backyard bird feeding as avian flu risk ebbs, U experts say
With bird flu cases among wild populations continuing to decline, the University of Minnesota Raptor Center says the risk is low enough to put backyard feeders back up. In early April the center urged Minnesotans to take down their feeders to stem bird flu’s spread.
Many residents of suburban St. Louis Park are reeling after a second water main break this weekend flooded basements with tens of thousands of gallons of water. Dimi Lalos is a homeowner who is losing patience after his finished basement was flooded a second time.
Axon halts plans for Taser drone as 9 on ethics board resign
Taser developer Axon says it is working to build drones armed with the electric stunning weapons that could fly in schools and “help prevent the next Uvalde, Sandy Hook, or Columbine.” But its own technology advisers quickly panned the idea as a dangerous fantasy.
St. Louis Park water main breaks for the second time
Many residents of suburban St. Louis Park are reeling after a second water main break this weekend flooded basements with tens of thousands of gallons of water. Dimi Lalos is a homeowner who is losing patience after his finished basement was flooded a second time.
Minnesota's David Stalter wins Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals
A Minneapolis dancer is a national champion. David Stalter – nicknamed “The Crown” – won the “Red Bull Dance Your Style” street dance competition in New Orleans last month.
June marked the end of Minnesota’s eviction moratorium, which means more people may have to live outside without a place to stay. Keith Lattimore is the director of the Ramsey County Housing Stability department. He joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about how people experiencing homelessness can keep themselves safe.
A recent study from doctors at Mayo Clinic is the beginning of a major breakthrough in how to diagnose Alzheimer’s. Dr. Minerva Carrasquillo is the principle investigator behind the study. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk more.
Below-normal temps; midweek light rain chance
While still running below normal, temperatures continue to be pleasant. Partly cloudy skies will dominate Monday with lingering showers moving out of the southeastern and northeastern corners of Minnesota Monday morning.
In historic shift, far fewer teens face adult U.S. courts
National data shows the number of children sent to adult courts for criminal prosecution in the U.S. has dropped to new lows as more states steer teenagers instead toward rehabilitation and counseling offered by juvenile courts.
New policy lifts most pandemic-related restrictions in state courts but keeps some remote hearings
Under a new policy, most pandemic-related restrictions in state courts will cease but remote hearings will continue for many cases. Has this switch to remote hearings helped or hurt the judicial process? Rosalyn Park from The Advocates for Human Rights spoke with Tom Crann about the benefits and concerns of remote hearings.
Prosecutors are seeking more than three years in federal prison for a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of stealing drugs from citizens during illegal searches. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Continued cooler than normal, mainly dry
Pleasant temperatures continue; just below normal. An isolated shower is possible Monday and Tuesday.
An infamous day. A search for answers. Will America tune in?
A congressional committee’s hearings on the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection are coming up, and the public has been told to expect revelations. Yet it’s questionable how much attention the public will pay the hearings.
Aerial Powers scored 27 points, Sylvia Fowles and Kayla McBride added 18 apiece and the Minnesota Lynx held off the New York Liberty 84-77 after nearly blowing a 19-point lead.
This is how handguns and assault weapons affect the human body
The effect of assault weapons is much greater in children, as the surface area of their organs and arteries are smaller, said Dr. Joseph Sakran, a trauma surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Vote for everyone you like — Fargo tests approval voting
Fargo is the first city in the U.S. to use approval voting, where voters can select all of the candidates they like.
The tragic history of police responding too late to active shooters
In similar tragedies over the years, police encountered similar problems during the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.
Exhibit explores early effort to desegregate Minneapolis schools
Currently at the Hennepin History Museum, “Separate Not Equal: The Hale-Field Pairing” tells the story of the 1971 effort to desegregate two elementary schools fewer than 2 miles apart and the lessons still relevant today.