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

Matching health workers with peers to ease stress of fighting pandemic
People who treat patients with COVID-19 face serious challenges to their mental health — from sadness for their patients to worries about their own safety. A new program at the University of Minnesota is trying to address that by connecting health workers with a buddy.
MN U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn on small business, agriculture relief
Lawmakers in the U.S. House are back in Washington this morning. They are set to vote on the next round of stimulus funding. The package would replenish an aid program for small businesses and includes more money for hospitals and testing.  
Residents on the North Shore say they have been seeing large crowds at popular state parks and recreation areas. That comes despite Governor Tim Walz's stay-at-home order and Cook County’s no-travel advisory, both of which are aimed at restricting unnecessary visitors.
Art Hounds: Portraits of essential workers
Plus, Art Hounds recommend Benjamin Percy's "Wolverine" podcast and a streamed performance of "Booth's Ghost."
Minnesota's expanded testing plan: What you need to know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a statewide testing strategy Wednesday that he says is critical to reopening the state and protecting its most vulnerable.
Patients weigh seeking care for conditions other than COVID-19
Thousands of Minnesotans have delayed surgeries and procedures because of COVID-19’s toll on the hospital system. But health officials are reminding Minnesotans they shouldn’t feel afraid to seek medical care.
Community alliance reassembles to battle COVID-19 fallout in north Minneapolis
The pandemic poses different challenges than the devastating tornado that inspired the formation of the Northside Community Response Team in 2011. African American community leaders say the crisis has forced them to figure out new ways of keeping their community connected, safe and healthy.
Backyard nature: A child's first encounter with a baby bunny
Kristin Schwarze and her daughter Clare have spent most of their time indoors or in their Shoreview yard since the coronavirus pandemic hit Minnesota. But their family isolation was interrupted over the weekend when they found a baby cottontail rabbit.
Pork farmers face tough times with plant closures
Wednesday was the last day of operations at JBS pork processing plant in Worthington before its indefinite closure. This comes after reports of dozens of employees at the plant tested positive for COVID-19.
'Deadly phase': Minnesota's long-term care facilities fight to control coronavirus spread
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities had hoped to keep the coronavirus mostly outside of their doors. But despite their efforts, COVID-19 cases have spread to more than 90 congregate care facilities. More than 70 percent of Minnesota's fatalities are traced to long-term care homes.