Morning Edition

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Morning Edition, with Cathy Wurzer in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, brings you all the news from overnight and the information you need to start your day. Listen from 4 to 9 a.m. every weekday.

Morning Announcements | Weather chats with Mark Seeley | Parting Thoughts

Without emergency powers, local leaders respond to latest COVID wave
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Minnesota and across the country, but with most restrictions lifted and Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers gone, the response to this latest spike is in the hands of local leaders and businesses.
COVID-19 in MN: Caseloads accelerating among Black Minnesotans
New data shows cases are growing far faster for Black Minnesotans than for other racial or ethnic groups. Separately on Tuesday, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth ordered city staff and visitors to wear masks in city-owned buildings.
'You pray for rain': Low rivers stressing irrigators, recreationists — and potentially, critters
Rivers across the state are very low because of the severe drought encompassing much of the state. That's affecting a lot of people who rely on rivers and streams for their livelihood.
Brooklyn Center mayor hopes early steps bring bigger change in policing
After a Brooklyn Center police officer shot and killed Daunte Wright in April during a traffic stop, the city committed to reshaping its entire public safety structure, including lowering the profile of the Police Department.
Long-time activist K.G. Wilson to leave Minneapolis
K.G. Wilson has devoted years of his life to keeping kids out of gangs, guns off the streets and to supporting families struck by gun violence. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his decision to leave Minneapolis after his nearly 20-year tenure in the city. 
COVID-19 in MN: New, active cases rising but no big surge seen
Minnesota continues to see COVID-19 cases edging higher, but the summer swing shows no signs yet of racing out of control. The state has no plans or power to return to a statewide masking order, the health commissioner said Monday.
Wildfire smoke: How to inhale less of it
An air quality alert remains in effect until Tuesday for most of Minnesota as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to make its way through the state and the surrounding region this week. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with an allergist at Midwest Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists about what people can do to minimize inhaling harmful particles. 
Mark Seeley: Hot, dry summer weather isn’t letting up
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked about this summer’s worsening drought, frequent heat advisories, and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke with retired University of Minnesota climatologist Mark Seeley.
COVID-19 in MN: CDC recommends indoor masking for many Minnesota counties
With the rise of the delta variant, the CDC recommends even vaccinated people wear a mask indoors in areas where community transmission is substantial or high. In Minnesota that includes more than 30 counties — including nearly all of the Twin Cities metro area.