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Sports | Music | Weather chats with Mark Seeley | Parting Thoughts

Audio postcard: Too many signs of spring to count

April 9, 2021 8:41 a.m.

By Cathy Wurzer

If you're looking for ways to get outside this weekend but need a little inspiration, here’s a tip: it’s not too early to go looking for wildflowers in Minnesota.

Record heat, then much-needed rain

April 9, 2021 8:09 a.m.

By Cathy Wurzer

Dozens of daily high temperature records were broken around the state on April 5, with more than 60 climate stations reporting temperatures of 80 degrees or above. That record heat was quickly followed by much-needed spring rain.

Pandemic ponderings: Reflections on life during COVID

April 9, 2021 10:19 a.m.

By Aron Woldeslassie

Hoping to make things a little lighter for everyone, MPR News associate producer and working comedian Aron Woldeslassie has been serving up his observations on life during these unusual times.

A hockey player moves the puck during a game.

St. Cloud State advances to its first national hockey title game

April 9, 2021 5:52 a.m.

By The Associated Press

Nolan Walker scored on a redirection with 53.2 seconds left and St. Cloud State held off Minnesota State 5-4 on Thursday night to advance to the program's first national championship game.

People sit around a table working on a laptop.

'Our hearts are heavy': COVID-19 deaths of tribal elders leave a void

April 9, 2021 5:24 a.m.

By Dan Gunderson

Native Americans have the highest COVID-19 mortality rate of any population in the U.S. And for tribes working to revitalize language and culture, the loss of elders to COVID-19 leaves an especially painful void.

Chauvin trial: Police restraint on Floyd 'tipped him over the edge,' medical examiner says

April 9, 2021 5:15 a.m.

By Jon Collins, Riham Feshir, Brandt Williams, and Matt Sepic

Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker stood by his finding that George Floyd’s death was a homicide, telling jurors in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial the police restraint was more than Floyd could take given his underlying conditions.

Parting Thoughts: Remembering Manuel Cervantes

April 8, 2021 11:03 a.m.

By Phil Picardi

A beloved member of the St. Paul community passed away last week. Manuel Cervantes was a longtime workers’ compensation appeals court judge and served as city attorney. His brother Ricardo Cervantes spoke with MPR News Host Phil Picardi about Manuel’s life.

Chauvin trial: Breathing expert pinpoints moment when 'the life goes out of his body’

April 8, 2021 5:29 a.m.

By Brandt Williams, Riham Feshir, Jon Collins, and Matt Sepic

Dr. Martin Tobin, a pulmonologist, told the court Thursday that George Floyd died from a low level of oxygen, due to “shallow breathing.” He also testified that a healthy person experiencing the same restraint Floyd did “would have died.”

Elisha Minter, who goes by Mother Minter, tells a story.

Art Hounds celebrate Black storytelling

April 8, 2021 4:00 a.m.

By Emily Bright

The 30th Black Storytelling Festival livestreams several events. The History Theatre makes available online “Diesel Heart — Part 2” about Melvin Carter Jr.’s work as a police officer. And the Twin Cities Jazz Festival marks a full year of weekly livestreamed local jazz.

A man wearing a mask poses for a photo at Target Field.

Play ball! Largest state gathering in a year set for Target Field

April 8, 2021 4:00 a.m.

By Mark Zdechlik

The Minnesota Twins will welcome thousands of fans back to Target Field on Thursday for their home opener. But some experts say that with cases up significantly in Minnesota and the B.1.1.7 variant rapidly spreading now is not the time to gather in large groups.