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.

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Coronavirus upends Ramadan traditions of family, charity, community
Ramadan, the holy month of prayer, fasting and celebration for Muslims worldwide, begins on Thursday. But as mosques are closed and large gatherings are discouraged under the stay-at-home order, Muslims in Minnesota are having to change their religious customs while trying to maintain close community ties.
Minnesota put $200 million into a COVID-19 fund. Where is it going?
The state is making emergency purchases of millions of gloves, masks and other pieces of protective equipment. With one exception, top lawmakers haven’t objected.
As public health officials look ahead to a potential surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota, they are having to make tough decisions about where to send valuable resources.
‘It was expected’: Worthington pork plant closes indefinitely
Health officials said Monday that almost 40 people with ties to the plant — employees and their family members — had confirmed cases of COVID-19. They expect that number to grow, as more people are tested and more positive cases are investigated.
'How are we going to do this?': Students with special needs could slip behind
Without the kind of in-person therapists, instruction and support found in schools, special education students and their families are facing steep challenges. Many are beginning to worry about regression.
Behind rallies to reopen economy, a Minnesota activist and his family
Across the country, Ben Dorr and his brothers, Chris and Aaron, have long opposed Republican legislators for not being conservative enough on issues ranging from guns to abortion. They are now promoting rallies to reopen businesses in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Their detractors say they spread disinformation to sow confusion among voters.
Pathway to reopening Minnesota should get clearer this week
Gov. Tim Walz and his administration have been consulting with businesses about safety protocols to resume activity without heightening the coronavirus risk. There are still two weeks to go on the current stay-at-home order.
Small businesses race to get financial help amid pandemic — but will it be enough to survive?
Small businesses across Minnesota have been approved for $9 billion dollars in paycheck protection plan loans. Now, they’re trying to figure out how they can best use the money to try to survive the COVID-19 crisis.
April 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: Deaths rise to 111; Walz eases some outdoor curbs
Gov. Walz mixed optimism with vigilance Friday, urging Minnesotans to enjoy more outdoor activities but warning against a false sense of security about the disease as he confirmed new cases tied to a massive pork processing plant in Worthington.