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

Carol Connolly, a beloved figure in the Twin Cities literary world and the city of St. Paul’s first poet laureate, has died. For years, Connolly hosted the popular monthly series Readings by Writers. Beyond writing poetry, she was a columnist, a playwright and a humorist — and she was politically active, as well.
COVID-19 awareness campaign targets northern Minnesota county
It took months for COVID-19 to gain a foothold in Roseau County, on Minnesota's northern border. But now the virus is spreading rapidly and this week county officials are starting a comprehensive public campaign to convince residents to take the threat seriously.
'They've learned what resiliency is': Football season ends early with COVID dial-back — and a few lessons
A high school football season that was first postponed until the spring, and then restarted late this fall, came to a sudden close on Friday. The state high school league squeezed in more than 80 games in the hours before new statewide restrictions meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 took effect.
‘Vaccinations are the endgame’: State prepares to roll out first rounds of COVID-19 vaccines
As two COVID-19 vaccines approach approval from the Food and Drug Administration, state officials ready their plan to distribute vaccines. They say getting most people the vaccine will be critical to snuffing out a virus that has killed thousands of Minnesotans.
A medical haven for Latino immigrants in rural Minnesota
Latinos in the United States are more likely to work essential jobs during the pandemic and be exposed to the coronavirus. They are also three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than white Americans. A free clinic in central Minnesota is helping connect community members to quality health care.
How do Minnesota’s recent winters stack up?
An MPR listener asked how many winter seasons — December through February — since 2000 have brought colder-than-normal temperatures to Minnesota. Host Cathy Wurzer talked with retired U of M climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley about this winter’s outlook and more in their weekly weather chat.
Holiday favorite British Arrows dodge the pandemic on both side of the Atlantic
The British Arrows — the Walker Art Center annual holiday extravaganza — hit not one but two COVID-19-related speed bumps this year: Not only can’t audiences visit the Walker for hundreds of screenings of the best of British television commercials, but the awards competition it is based on in London was postponed because of the pandemic. But organizers still found a way forward.
COVID-19 brings opera singer home to the farm
The pandemic is forcing many people to change how and where they work. For one Minnesota-born opera singer, the COVID-19 threat meant a return to her roots and a surprising revitalization.
 Lawmakers look for ways to help businesses, workers
With another round of COVID-19 restrictions taking effect late Friday, Minnesota lawmakers are looking for ways to help small businesses that might be forced to close and the employees who would be put out of work. Discussions are already underway about what the state can do and when it could happen.
Restaurants, gyms on the verge of COVID-19 closure worry about employees
“It sounds really bad, but it’s like mom and dad getting divorced and you’re that kid just sitting there saying what’s going to happen to us. That’s what we feel like,” said one Minneapolis chef.