Stories from September 20, 2023

Biden administration announces $600M to produce COVID tests and will reopen website to order them
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household.
Supersized summer: Sept. 20 feels like July
September is the fifth straight warmer-than-average month in Minnesota.
Minnesota Supreme Court to hear arguments for banning Trump from ballot in November and state tests find Stillwater prison water safe to drink, after concerns raised in recent protests. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.
A 96-year-old federal judge was barred from hearing cases in a fight over her fitness
The unusually public and bitter fight over whether a judge should continue to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has sparked a lawsuit and turned judges against one another.
Lead found in water at Lino Lakes prison; DOC says testing indicates no risks at Stillwater
Minnesota prison officials say preliminary results from a new round of testing show the water at the Stillwater correctional facility is safe to drink — but testing at a different state prison, in Lino Lakes, found lead in some of the water there.
'Just Breathe' honors stories of health care workers in one hospital's COVID-19 unit
Nurse Lisa Kilgard and her colleagues wrote a book to help people remember what the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic was like for health care providers on the front lines.
'Wellness' is a perfect novel for our age, its profound sadness tempered with humor
Nathan Hill's stunning new novel about the stories we tell about our lives and our loves, and how we sustain relationships throughout time, is both funny and heartbreaking, sometimes on the same page.
Biden is unveiling the American Climate Corps, a program with echoes of the New Deal
The White House says the program will provide paid training to 20,000 Americans in its first year. It’s much smaller than its New Deal predecessor, but targets a more diverse group of young people.
Transitioning to full-time caregiver, FOX 9 journalist Tom Lyden reflects on 30-year career
After 30 years on the air, long-time and award-winning investigative journalist Tom Lyden is stepping away from news to become a full-time caregiver for his elderly mother in California. His last day with FOX 9 is Thursday.
Can AI replace your doctor?
Artificial intelligence could change our experience at the doctor’s office. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell talks with two physicians who develop AI models about the promise and pitfalls of using AI in medicine.  
Fall heat wave continues; weekend storm system to bring rain
It’s going to be another July-like day Wednesday with highs well into the 80s across southern Minnesota. Rain and cooler temperatures are on the way for the weekend.
Twins' Royce Lewis 'day-to-day' with tight left hamstring
The Twins rookie third baseman Royce Lewis is considered day-to-day after leaving Tuesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds with a tight left hamstring.
Another very warm day Wednesday; weekend rain looking likely
Another summerlike day is on the way Wednesday with highs in the 80s south and 70s north. A storm system still looks to bring rainfall for the weekend.
More school districts are without school resource officers after the police departments in Apple Valley, Maple Grove and White Bear Lake have pulled them. The Minneapolis City Council on Tuesday decided to abandon a proposal to house 3rd Precinct officers in a building downtown for the next decade. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.
A federal agency wants to give safety tips to young adults. So it's dropping an album
The Consumer Product Safety Commission's album addresses the most common hazards among those 13-24, through a variety of genres. It's called We're Safety Now Haven't We, and you'll want to hear it.
Tired of the Republican primary, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump shifts focus to Biden
Former President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on President Biden in another sign his campaign is looking past the Republican primaries — and focusing more on the general election ahead.
In Morocco's Atlas Mountains, survivors of the quake take stock of all they've lost
Survivors of the Sept. 8 earthquake return to devastated villages. "This was our paradise," says a 74-year-old woman. "Everyone in this village is like family to me, and our family is now shattered."
GOP presidential hopeful Doug Burgum says he'd leave abortion laws up to the states
In a The NPR Politics Podcast interview, the North Dakota governor shares his views on wide-ranging issues, including the role of the federal government in regulating abortion and transgender issues.
Oaks vs. squirrels: A battle is underway in some Minnesota trees, and it’s nuts
You may have noticed some leaves have already been falling around Minnesota — in some cases weeks before the annual autumn color change. That includes oak leaves, and even branches, that are raining down — and wouldn't you know it, squirrels are to blame.