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COVID-19: Coverage of the pandemic from MPR News

August 1, 2020

Get the latest news, resources, guides and tips to help you stay up to date on the coronavirus pandemic and how to navigate what Gov. Tim Walz called “our new normal.” - FAQ Minnesota's mask mandate - Tracking the spread Comparing COVID-19 in Minnesota and its neighbors in Upper Midwest

Classical MPR: Lakes Area Music Festival puts world-class live performances online for free

August 1, 2020

The Lakes Area Music Festival usually attracts attendees and musicians from across the country to Brainerd to share in world-class, live classical performances. This year, from July 31 to Aug. 16, organizers are live-streaming the concerts online for a unique festival experience. Watch them live on Classical MPR's Facebook page! - More Met Opera star David Portillo performs at LAMF - Watch LAMF performances on Classical MPR's Facebook page

For Minnesotans, Walz’s school plan brings more questions than answers

July 31, 2020

With little more than guidance from the state government for how to handle the upcoming school year, many Minnesotans remain in limbo for how their lives will look in a month.  - MPR News with Kerri Miller Minnesotans react after state releases fall school guidance - MPR News with Angela Davis What's next for Minnesota schools? - Minnesota’s rules for going back to school What you need to know - Back to school Walz's plan stresses in-classroom teaching, flexibility to shift

Walz's schools plan stresses in-classroom teaching, flexibility to shift

July 30, 2020

“It’s gonna be a first day of school unlike any we’ve seen,” Walz said Thursday as he unveiled what he described as a localized, data-driven — but “not perfect” — plan for the fall. - In Minneapolis Students likely to start year remotely - Racial disparities How decision to resume school might affect Minnesota’s communities of color - Can online learning be better this fall? These educators think so

Minnesota officials to announce fall school plans Thursday

July 30, 2020

Gov. Tim Walz has said his administration will give districts and charters guidance and then let them decide how best to implement it. The governor said he wants students to be able to return to in-person classes, but to do it safely. Meanwhile, district leaders say they’re hungering for specifics. - In Minneapolis Students likely to start year remotely - Racial disparities How decision to resume school might affect Minnesota’s communities of color - Can online learning be better this fall? These educators think so

Higher COVID-19 rates seen in Black and Hispanic children in Minn.

July 29, 2020

Children’s Minnesota has treated around 300 pediatric COVID-19 cases as of mid-July. Thirty-one percent of those patients were Black or African American; 24 percent Hispanic; 16 percent white; and 11 percent Asian. - MPR News with Angela Davis Structural racism and health care - Who's hit hardest by COVID-19? Why obesity, stress and race all matter - CDC hospital data Point to racial disparity in COVID-19 cases

Little Earth patrols might be a preview of a new style of policing

July 28, 2020

The Little Earth of United Tribes housing complex created a community patrol the night the protests erupted over the killing of George Floyd, and they’ve been happening ever since. Residents say they are an example of what the city could look like under a new public safety system. - Minneapolis commission considers A new Police Department proposal - Last week Mpls. budget committee approves cuts in police funding - In the absence of police protection Armed neighborhood groups form

Virus vaccine put to final test in thousands of volunteers

July 28, 2020

The world's biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government — one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race. - Researchers are making progress on a COVID-19 vaccine But the race isn’t over yet - U.S. signs contract with Pfizer For COVID-19 vaccine doses