Stories from September 6, 2022

Photos: Back to class for Minnesota students this week
Today was the first day of school for most Minnesota districts. MPR News had photographers at Richfield High School and Prior Lake High School.
It's back to school across Minnesota as the state fair ends on a high, but not record note. And more COVID shots will be available starting this week. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no.
COVID is still here, even if it doesn’t seem that way. With new boosters on the horizon the best thing to do is to mask up and schedule your booster appointment.
Uvalde students go back to school for 1st time since attack
Children began arriving at Uvalde Elementary before dawn, walking through newly installed 8-foot (2.4-meter) metal fencing that surrounds the campus and past a state trooper standing guard outside an entrance.
988: A Call for Crisis Care
A special broadcast from Call to mind explores what actually happens when someone dials 988. How is the Lifeline serving as a tool to improve mental health emergency response? And is there a path between mental health emergencies and recovery?
Among the six authors who made the Booker Prize shortlist are Elizabeth Strout, NoViolet Bulawayo and Percival Everett. The winner will be announced in October.
A Black protester voiced anger at police in South Carolina. She got 4 years in prison
Brittany Martin, 34, was convicted of breaching the peace in a high and aggravated manner, and may have to give birth in prison. An advocate notes that some Jan. 6 rioters are serving far less time.
Audit shows that the Southwest light rail extension project is nine years overdue and $1.5 billion over budget
The Southwest Corridor light rail project won’t be finished for several years and now, it’s $1.5 million over budget. Cathy Wurzer spoke with the legislative auditor on the findings of the report.
Summer heat, humidity return; western fires bring smoky skies
Heat and more humidity for the next few days. Highs will be back in the low to mid-80s Tuesday with highs close to 90 by Thursday. Cooler air and showers arrive Friday.
Mohr’s tongue-in-cheek guide to the state’s quirky culture included segments on “The Power of the Negative” and the “Minnesota Long Goodbye.” It’s considered a classic of Minnesota humor.
Researchers found pesticide levels known to be harmful to monarch butterflies in milkweed plants sold at retail stores in 15 states, including Minnesota. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
More sunshine Tuesday; heating up the next few days
Summer temperatures and humidity will be moving back in for the middle of this week. Cooler air returns this weekend with the chance of showers and thunder late Friday.
Typhoon batters S. Korea, preparations minimize casualties
A powerful typhoon has hit South Korea and dumped 3 feet of rain, destroyed roads and fell power lines, but officials say the death toll of three could have been higher if not for proactive evacuations and closures of schools. 
Fears grow for Ukraine nuke plant ahead of inspector report
Fears are growing for Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as shelling around it continues. That comes a day after the facility was again knocked off Ukraine’s electricity grid and put in the precarious position of relying on its own power to run safety systems. 
Walz presses for tougher sentences, more funding following State Fair gunfire
"There's too many guns on the streets,” Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday as he announced the victim from Monday’s night shooting just outside the fairgrounds had been discharged. Gunfire inside the fair Saturday night sent fairgoers running for cover.
Judge connects again, hits MLB-best 54th HR, Yanks top Twins
Aaron Judge hit his major league-leading 54th home run, connecting for the third straight day and sending the New York Yankees over the Minnesota Twins 5-2. Judge has homered in five of his last seven games for the AL East leaders.
Fox producer's warning against Jeanine Pirro surfaces in Dominion defamation suit
Jeanine Pirro, Tucker Carlson and others are being grilled under oath in a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for spreading lies about a voting tech company's role in the 2020 elections.
Pandemic experience informs new ways to make kids feel welcome at school
Defiance, wandering the halls, refusing to go to class — those are just a few student behaviors Rochester Public Schools staff say they saw more of when their students came back to class after a year of distance learning. As school starts again, district leaders are testing out new ways to stop these behaviors before they start.