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State regulators approve Line 3 permits; move pipeline closer to construction

November 15, 2020

An Enbridge spokesperson said only that the company would begin construction once it has all approvals in hand, but a union official whose members plan to work on the project said they expect construction to begin in the next month. - August Four things to know about another Line 3 appeal - Oil and water The debate over the Line 3 replacement pipeline - Understand what's at stake Rivers of Oil, an MPR News podcast

Overwhelmed by cases, health departments struggle to trace virus' spread

November 13, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, testing and tracing have been two key parts of the state's strategy for slowing the spread of the virus. Now, more people are getting tested than ever before. But as COVID-19 cases surge, the contact tracing side of that equation is getting overwhelmed. - ‘Just assume someone has COVID’ Itasca Co. suspends contact tracing as infections surge - What is contact tracing? And how does it work with COVID-19? - Contact tracers key to slowing the spread of COVID-19 Meet one of them

ChangeMakers: Sean Sherman, teaching Indigenous food traditions as cultural preservation

November 13, 2020

Sean Sherman, 46, founder of the Sioux Chef and Indigenous Food Lab is working to teach Indigenous people about ancestral food traditions. Sherman’s approach to education incorporates foraging, ancestral recipes and business training, in hopes that someday soon, there will be more people creating Native cuisine in Minnesota. - Vanessa GoodThunder Revitalizing the Dakota language - David Glass Challenging appropriation of Native imagery, culture in sports - ChangeMakers Indigenous Minnesotans making history

More Minnesota schools halt in-person classes as COVID-19 cases rise

November 12, 2020

Schools across the state are beginning to suspend in-person learning as COVID-19 case rates rise. Duluth, Bloomington and Hopkins public schools have announced plans to transition their students to distance learning.  - During COVID-19 Student enrollment is declining in Twin Cities public school districts - High school sports What one school board’s decision to 'let them play' means for Minnesota - Teachers, parents, districts at odds Over learning scenarios

The Current: A message about Rock the Garden 2021

November 12, 2020

This year has created so much uncertainty in the music industry locally and nationally. These uncertainties continue to hit close to home. The Current and The Walker announced on Wednesday there will not be a Rock the Garden in 2021.

Portraits of Valor: Honoring World War II veterans

November 11, 2020

Last year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimated there were 7,347 WWII veterans living in Minnesota, many of whom are approaching 100 years old. MPR News photographer Evan Frost sat down with some of those veterans to document their memories and their hopes for America. These are their stories. - Veterans Day in 2020 Quiet parades, somber virtual events - New memorial recognizes Generations of military service by Native American veterans

Walz plans 10 p.m. curfew on in-person service at bars, eateries, curbs on events to stem COVID

November 10, 2020

Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce the new curbs during a 2 p.m. address. MPR News learned of the details via people briefed on the new restrictions but who asked not to be identified. - Monday Walz hints at targeted restrictions to curb COVID-19 spread - Worried you might have been exposed to COVID-19? Here’s what to do - Several types of COVID tests are available in Minnesota What you need to know

New Classical Tracks: Midori takes a COVID detour with Beethoven's Violin Concerto

November 10, 2020

Violinist Midori's new Beethoven release with the Festival Strings Lucerne was supposed to be a live recording. But that performance got canceled due to COVID, so they made a studio recording instead. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the CD! - New Classical Tracks: Explore other recent releases