Minnesota News

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‘Churches will stay empty until it's safe’: Martin Co. pastor adjusts ministry amid coronavirus
This year, Holy Week comes almost exactly a month after Minnesota confirmed its first case of COVID-19, and several weeks into subsequent social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders. For St. James and many congregations, a time of reunion has become a time of separation.
April 6 update on COVID-19 in MN: 30 dead, 57 in ICU, Walz eyes extending restrictions
As the count of cases, hospitalizations and deaths rose, Gov. Tim Walz said Monday afternoon that he's assessing his two-week stay-at-home order “sector-by-sector,” but he strongly indicated some restrictions will stay in place past Friday.
 Is it safe — and ethical — to send your child to day care?
Parents of Minnesota’s littlest learners are facing a dilemma: Do they continue sending their kids to child care during the COVID-19 pandemic? Minnesota’s stay-at-home order does not prohibit families from taking their kids to day care, but officials note that the goal is to keep providers open specifically for the children of emergency workers.
Even outside on a trail, 6 feet of distance is necessary
While many parks and trails are open in Minnesota, the DNR says people must follow the governor’s rules on social distancing, stay close to home and avoid crowded parks.
Daily dose of sweetness: After season ends, high school robotics team finds new mission to help the community
“We had so many robotics projects that we still wanted to do,” said Northeast Range junior Oskar Koivisto. “We had a little discussion, and we said, ‘what’s a project that we can (quickly) do that would be good for our robotics team as well as benefit our community?’ “
April 5 update on COVID-19 in MN: Death toll now at 29; state releases list of affected long-term care facilities
State health officials reported Sunday that 29 people in Minnesota have died from COVID-19, up from 24 the previous day. Meanwhile the overall number of confirmed cases in the state increased to 935 on Sunday, among the largest single-day increases in cases so far in Minnesota.
Daily dose of sweetness: Church's new bells ring out, offer reminder of community
“We want to remind everybody that’s isolated in their homes or apartments that we are one community … and to ring out hope and courage to our community every day until we get through this,” said Westminster Presbyterian Church senior pastor Tim Hart-Andersen.
Schools are closed across Minnesota — but stadium lights still brighten the night
High schools across Minnesota are closed and the spring sports season on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic — but there's a growing movement to keep the lights shining at school athletic fields in the coming weeks.
State housing help likely on the way as part of pandemic response
Many Minnesotans out of work because of COVID-19 are starting to face their first rent and mortgage payments since the state’s stay-at-home order went into effect. Some are finding relief. Many are wondering what help they may get.