In rural Minnesota, fighting vaccine hesitancy one community at a time
April 27, 2021
Health officials say there are many reasons why people aren’t getting vaccinated — including a lack of transportation, limited access to technology, fears about the vaccine's safety and political beliefs about the pandemic.
- Southern Minnesota As vaccine eligibility expands, one health department recalibrates
- Researchers warn Vaccine refusal may put herd immunity at risk
- Biden administration looks for help With next phase of pitching COVID vaccines
MN schools to stay open despite growing COVID-19 spread among students
April 25, 2021
The number of school-related COVID-19 cases reported last week in Minnesota has now exceeded a peak in November. State officials are not changing their policies governing youth sports or schools. Instead, they’re urging students to get tested more regularly — and are asking schools to make it possible for students to do that on site.
- As COVID cases rise among kids Teens targeted for vaccination
- MN urges more COVID-19 youth testing OKs playing sports maskless outdoors
‘Right now, it is the soul of this nation’: What’s next for George Floyd Square
April 24, 2021
At the intersection where George Floyd died, people are organizing to defend a space they’ve held in protest for nearly a year. The city said it would reopen the streets there after the trial. Activists say it’s too soon.
- Series Making George Floyd's Square
In Focus: Stopping Anti-Asian American Hate in Minnesota
April 24, 2021
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has been tracking an uptick in anti-Asian incidents since the start of the pandemic. But this community has endured the effects of racism since long before COVID-19. What’s being done in Minnesota to stop it? What more needs to be done? And what have we learned about the ripple effects of political rhetoric?
Join host Tom Crann in conversation with community leaders Wed., April 28 at noon: RSVP for this free online event
The Current: Sounds Like Home VIII
April 23, 2021
On Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25, The Current is hosting round eight of Sounds Like Home. This time around, Sounds Like Home will feature only artists from greater Minnesota — that is, artists who are based outside the Twin Cities metro area. Join an incredible lineup of Minnesota musicians as we meet up on the internet for a virtual festival. Great music lives here, and you can still enjoy it live on The Current’s YouTube channel or Facebook page!
Civil rights leaders, loved ones remember Daunte Wright
April 23, 2021
Family and friends celebrated the 20-year-old’s life Thursday at his funeral alongside national civil rights leaders who came again to the Twin Cities to mourn another Black man killed by police.
- Remembering Daunte Wright' One of those kids that everybody looked up to'
Minnesota House pushes to limit police powers
April 23, 2021
The Minnesota House is working on a bill that limits police officers' authority to make traffic stops for minor issues, does more to flag problem officers, and increases transparency in critical investigations. But those measures are far from certain to reach the governor’s desk.
- On Capitol Hill Where efforts to overhaul policing stand in Congress after Chauvin verdict
Feds to probe Minneapolis police practices in wake of Chauvin's conviction
April 22, 2021
The Justice Department will investigate police policies, training, supervision and use of force to see if there’s a pattern of unconstitutional or unlawful policing, including during protests, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday.
- Minnesota leaders Historic verdict just one step toward ‘true justice'
- 'An important step forward for justice' Reactions to Chauvin's guilty verdicts
- Photos Crowds cheer, celebrate after Chauvin convicted of murder and manslaughter
- At George Floyd Square Tears and relief sweep intersection where Floyd died
- What's next? For Chauvin and 3 other ex-officers in cases over Floyd's murder
Early Risers: A Podcast from Little Moments Count
April 22, 2021
George Floyd’s death was a tragedy and a wake up call — expanding a global conversation about race and racism. And young children have been watching it all. So how do we help them make sense of this? Early Risers is podcast from Little Moments Count and MPR with frank facts, engaging stories and real how-tos for anyone who cares about raising children with a clear-eyed understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias. Hosted by Dianne Haulcy of Think Small.
Subscribe to the podcast
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Radio Public | Amazon Music |TuneIn | iHeart | Stitcher | RSS
'An important step forward for justice': Reactions to Chauvin's guilty verdicts
April 21, 2021
"I was just praying they would find him guilty," George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, told reporters after exiting the courtroom.
- Photos Crowds cheer, celebrate after Chauvin convicted of murder, manslaughter
- As it braces for what's next South Minneapolis remembers a year of unrest
- Concrete barriers, chain-link fences, Nat'l Guard troops Minneapolis fortified after Chauvin guilty verdict
- At 38th and Chicago Tears and relief sweep intersection where George Floyd died
- Crowds across U.S. React with joy, wariness to verdict in Floyd's death