Minnesota

Minnesota health officials reported 519 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, along with five more deaths. The count of people currently hospitalized dropped from 270 to 253 in Sunday's report — the lowest number since April 22.

State parks across Minnesota are seeing an increase in visitors this season, as people seek outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesota health officials reported 423 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, following a trend of increasing positive case numbers in the state. But trends in daily deaths from the disease still suggest a hopeful, downward trend. The newest counts come as officials plead with Minnesotans to keep their guard up and to follow public health guidelines over the July Fourth holiday weekend.

MPR News is talking to some of the people behind rallies, marches and demonstrations happening beyond the Twin Cities metro area — about their experiences with race in Minnesota, why they march and what they hope for the future.

The newest counts come amid worry about new outbreaks if people ease up on safety measures over the July Fourth holiday weekend.

Members of Minnesota’s Oromo community protested over the killing of an influential musician and activist in Ethiopia earlier this week. As they marched on Interstate 94 in St. Paul, the highway traffic was stalled for hours Wednesday evening.

The planned closure took effect Wednesday, in anticipation of a fall walleye season. DNR officials determined closing the popular lake to walleye fishing in July would provide the best chance for walleye fishing this fall, by reducing hooking mortality when water temperatures are warmest. 

The latest: A worrisome inflammatory syndrome believed to be related to COVID-19 has been found in 13 Minnesota children; Gov. Walz is seriously weighing a statewide mask order; COVID-19 immunity may only last a few months to two years, the state’s epidemiologist says.

Minnesota’s Oromo community is mourning Hachalu Hundessa and demanding justice for the musician and activist who was shot and killed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday night. He was 34.

Gov. Tim Walz this week said a statewide mandate requiring all people to wear masks while in public is “on the table.” He said such a move would offer public health benefits while helping businesses that’re struggling to enforce their own mask rules.