Minnesota Today®

The federal government has denied a request from the state of Minnesota for a disaster declaration and financial support, to help clean up and repair fire damage from unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. MPR News update for July 11, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

For the first time since mid-March, outsiders will be allowed into Minnesota’s long-term care homes to visit residents. The Minnesota Department of Health put out new guidance Friday that allows residents to designate an “essential caregiver” to visit them inside their residence and to have physical contact with them. This is an MPR News evening update for Friday, July 10, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The last session ended with no action on police accountability measures in the wake of George Floyd’s death. MPR News update for July 10, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

A Hennepin County judge issued a gag order Thursday preventing lawyers from discussing the George Floyd case publicly. At least two attorneys representing the former police officers charged in Floyd’s death talked with reporters Wednesday about the case, according to the filing. In his order, Judge Peter Cahill wrote that pretrial publicity will taint the jury pool and could result in an unfair trial. This is an MPR News evening update for Thursday July 9, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

One of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd has filed a motion to dismiss charges, saying there isn’t enough evidence to establish probable cause that he committed a crime.  Thomas Lane is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter. He was one of four officers fired after Floyd was killed on May 25 when officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes.  This is an MPR News evening update for Wednesday July 8, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Another southern Minnesota city, Winona, announced that it’s imposing a citywide mask mandate following similar ordinances in Rochester and Mankato. The city mandates will require people to wear a mask in public indoor spaces. Rochester’s order takes effect on Wednesday; Winona and Mankato will implement the mandates on Friday. Minneapolis, St. Paul and Edina have also mandated mask-wearing in the cities’ public spaces. This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday July 8, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Gov. Tim Walz is prepared to call Minnesota lawmakers into a special session that would begin Monday.  The first special session this summer ended without much to show for it. Disagreements over changes to policing and a package of state-financed construction projects left both undone. This is an MPR News evening update for Tuesday July 7, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Motorists and police will have new guidance that may help avoid deadly shootings like the one that killed Philando Castile four years ago Monday. His mother, Valerie Castile pushed for the changes after her son was fatally shot by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb seconds after he told the officer he had a firearm in his vehicle. Castile said the update to the Minnesota Driver’s Manual could save lives. This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday July 7, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

A federal judge on Monday sided with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to shut down until more environmental review is done. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said in April that the pipeline, which has been in operation three years, remains “highly controversial” under federal environmental law, and a more extensive review is necessary than the environmental assessment that was done. In a 24-page order Monday, Boasberg wrote that he was “mindful of the disruption such a shutdown will cause,” but said he had concluded that the pipeline must be shut down within 30 days and drained of oil while the environmental review happens.  This is an MPR News evening update for Monday July 6, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

State Sen. Scott Jensen, R-Chaska, said Sunday that he is under investigation by the Minnesota State Board of Medical Practice for statements he has made about the pandemic. He posted a statement on Facebook over the weekend saying he’s being investigated for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 death toll and providing “reckless advice” by comparing the virus with the flu. He said he feels he’s being targeted. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, July 6, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.