Stories from August 12, 2022

Quiet weekend weather in most areas; near-normal temps
Our weather looks fairly quiet this Saturday and Sunday. That’s a good thing for people with outdoor plans! We have the weekend forecast details, plus a peek at the week ahead.
BCA report shows violent crimes rose in 2021
The annual crime report show a rise in murders, assaults and car thefts and a decrease in some property crimes between 2021 and the previous year.
Democrats passed a major climate, health and tax bill. Here's what's in it
On Friday, the House sent to President Biden's desk what Democrats call a historic piece of legislation, but it's still a much smaller version of what they — and Biden — originally called for.
Bill would give Afghan evacuees in Minnesota a path to citizenship
One year after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Afghan community in Minnesota has faced uncertainty around their ability to stay in the United States long term.
CDC raises COVID risk ratings in Minnesota, eases national guidance
On Thursday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on “minimizing the impact of COVID-19.” As widely reported, the new guidance eased recommended restrictions by lifting quarantine requirements for those who have been exposed to COVID-19 without feeling symptoms. This week’s CDC map for Minnesota shows many more counties at high risk — 22 up from nine the previous week. But case and wastewater data shows that the increasing rates seen in the last few weeks may be slowing.
Weekend weather: Typical August temps, rain-free in most areas
We’ll have fairly typical August weather this weekend, and many parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin will be rain-free on Saturday and Sunday. We have the weekend weather details, plus a look at our Friday rain totals.
What does voter turnout in the primary election say?
Overall voter turnout for Minnesota’s primary election this year was around 18 percent, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. What can we find out by looking behind that number?
Vikings: Cousins has COVID, will miss Sunday's preseason game
Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not play in Sunday's opening preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the team said Friday.
Professor Kelly Lytle Hernández explores the linked histories of the U.S. and Mexico
The history of the United States is inextricably linked with the history of Mexico — even if most Americans don’t know it. On this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas, historian Kelly Lytle Hernández explains how the Mexican Revolution was incited by a band of rebels who set up base in the United States, and how that struggle shaped the borderlands today.
Author Salman Rushdie attacked on lecture stage in New York
Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, has been attacked and apparently stabbed in the neck by a man who rushed the stage as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.
Iron Range Sen. Tomassoni, diagnosed with ALS, dies at 69
Accolades poured in from across the political spectrum Friday for longtime state Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm, Minn., who died Thursday night after more than a year of battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Life coach Richard Leider on how to find and share your gifts
Richard Leider is an internationally known author and work life coach. He says all people want to find their gifts and share them with communities. But the question is always — how?
Scattered showers; east-west divide in temperatures Friday
Morning rain moves east but clouds will linger for much of the state on Friday. Sunshine on the warm side of the warm front will push temperatures to near 90 in southwestern Minnesota. A decent weekend is shaping up.
Finstad takes 1st District seat in Congress
Republican Brad Finstad took the oath of office Friday morning in Washington after winning a special election in Minnesota’s 1st District on Tuesday.
Two men sought in connection with the gunfire that scattered terrified shoppers last week inside Bloomington’s Mall of America have been arrested following a nationwide manhunt. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
Showers Friday morning; hotter west; decent weekend
Measurable rain will fall through the morning on and off in much of central and eastern Minnesota. Clouds will keep temperatures in the 70s east, but parts of southwest Minnesota could be near 90 Friday afternoon.
Farewell, Syl: Fowles exit fueling Lynx in push for playoffs
Sylvia Fowles is nearing the end of her 15-year WNBA career. The Minnesota Lynx have been leaning hard on their 6-foot-6 center as they push for a spot in the playoffs. They host Seattle on Friday. That could be the last game for Fowles at Target Center. 
This conservative group helped push a disputed election theory
The Honest Elections Project, a group that advocates for more restrictive voting laws, has helped push a legal theory — now at the Supreme Court — that could radically reshape federal elections.
These photos are shedding new light on how fireflies interact with the world
In the summer, from dusk until the moon rises, photographer Pete Mauney finds his photos' subjects along quiet stretches of highway, in hidden pockets of woods and under power lines.
What is the legacy of burn pits? For some Iraqis, it's a lifetime of problems
The PACT Act provides new access to services for American veterans struggling with the health effects of exposure to burn pits. But in Iraq, civilians who were exposed are still on their own.
What experts think companies should do when ransomware strikes
A report released this month by the Ransomware Task Force offers small and medium-sized businesses a series of steps to take to deal with cyberattacks and ransomware.
Ben Percy jumps to the big screen to honor his daughter
After a career of writing science fiction, horror novels and comic books, Minnesota-based Benjamin Percy is trying something new — a coming of age movie called “Summering” about a group of middle school girls.