Conditions are dry all across Minnesota. Severe drought is spreading into the northwest and south. Crops are showing signs of stress, and without widespread rains over the next few weeks, crops will continue to deteriorate. - Drought now covers 75 percent of Minnesota Rain chances limited
Ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on Friday was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the May 2020 murder of George Floyd while in police custody. The sentence handed down by Judge Peter Cahill is 10 years more than guidelines recommend. Cahill said that he departed from the guidance because of Chauvin's abuse of authority. Cahill kept his comments short but shortly after posted his 22-page memorandum supporting his sentence. MPR News George Floyd: One year later
With new and active cases and hospital admissions trending at or near their 14-month lows, Minnesota’s most recent COVID-19 data paints a picture of a rapidly shrinking pandemic. Vaccinations, however, are stuck at crawl. - Sign up Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota - APM Research Lab Tracking the vaccination progress in the U.S.
Yeej Moua debuts his short film, “The Wind Always Strikes the Highest Mountain,” for the Northern Spark festival’s final weekend. Minnesota artists explore issues of disability and theater at Full Circle. And Laura Sellner has a new EP.
Fewer than a dozen officers around the country have been sentenced for murder, according to experts who track police killings, which makes Friday’s hearing rare even in a national context. - April Chauvin guilty of murder, manslaughter in Floyd's killing - In Focus George Floyd's legacy and impact - Full coverage George Floyd, one year later
Minnesota’s most recent COVID-19 numbers deliver more evidence the pandemic is firmly in check. The continued retreat of hospitalizations is especially promising. - Sign up Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota - APM Research Lab Tracking the vaccination progress in the U.S.
'Good Times: The Evolution of Black Music' is a weekly show throughout the month of June, spotlighting the many genres and artists that make up the Black Music experience. Episode 3 explores three genres that originated in African American communities in the 1950s and '60s: Soul, Motown and Funk.
After a tumultuous year, the Minnesota music scene has its eye on rebuilding. The Current is launching LineCheck, a series of virtual conversations with the Minnesota music community about how to make sure we're not just returning to a new normal, but coming back even better than before. As venues around the state start to reopen, how can operators use this opportunity to make their spaces more inclusive for artists and music fans of all identities? We’ll explore standards that make venues accessible to every body, as well as codes of conduct that prioritize the safety of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Hear from experts about positive and practical changes that venues can consider to make their spaces safer. Join the FREE Online Event Tuesday June 22, 2021 7 p.m. CDT Register
After climbing well above 10 percent at times last year, the weekly average COVID-19 test positivity rate in Minnesota dropped below 1 percent on Sunday. - Subscribe Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota email - APM Research Lab Tracking the vaccination progress in the U.S.
Minneapolis City Council members on Thursday questioned why Mayor Jacob Frey used emergency pandemic powers to contract with a community group tasked with reopening the intersection where George Floyd was murdered. - June 3 City contracts with Agape to reopen George Floyd Square - Minneapolis mayoral race Residents pick a leader this fall