Lawmakers: Deal near on police changes
July 21, 2020
With a special session of the Legislature due to end Monday, leading lawmakers said they were close to a deal on police accountability measures. Other agreements, notably on a public works construction bill, were not in sight.
- Earlier Special session enters second week with little accomplished
Helping north Minneapolis rebuild — and putting businesses on more solid ground
July 20, 2020
North Minneapolis was hit hard in the uprising following George Floyd’s killing. The destruction spread to more than 100 businesses — many of them locally owned shops that were already flat on their backs from the economic fallout from COVID-19.
- MPR News with Angela Davis Rebuilding, reopening and returning to Minneapolis
- Waiting for justice for George Floyd North siders work the land as an act of healing
- June 8 Ransacked north Minneapolis clinic seeks larger justice
Don’t let COVID-19 stop your vote. Here’s how to vote by mail in Minnesota
July 19, 2020
The coronavirus is posing unprecedented challenges for the 2020 election. But most Minnesotans hoping to cast a ballot can do so without going any farther than the closest mailbox.
- Related Most Minnesotans support vote by mail
- Fact check Is mail ballot fraud as rampant as President Trump says?
To celebrate his new Virtual Choir 6, Eric Whitacre picks 6 favorite virtual choir performances
July 19, 2020
Virtual choir performances have become the norm now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the concept was started 10 years ago by composer Eric Whitacre. So who better than him to pick six of his favorite recent virtual choir videos to celebrate the July 19 release of his Virtual Choir 6?
- Listen Choral Stream
The Current: MPR President Duchesne Drew talks about creativity, confidence, and kindness
July 18, 2020
In April 2020, Duchesne Drew was named president of Minnesota Public Radio. In his first appearance on The Current's Morning Show, Drew talks with host Jill Riley about what drew him to MPR - and how MPR had a place in his heart long before he got here.
Blinded by the lights? Where to better see Comet Neowise
July 18, 2020
The weather has been favorable this week for catching a glimpse of Comet Neowise — the 3.1 mile across hunk of ice currently hurtling by Earth. With clear skies and low humidity, all you need to do is grab your binoculars and find a dark spot. But if you live in a metropolitan area, that’s easier said than done.
Here are some spots outside of Minnesota’s biggest cities to settle down and catch a glimpse of the celestial wonder before it’s gone.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Total cases top 45K; 7 more deaths
July 17, 2020
Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 data again offered a mixed bag of hopeful and concerning trends. New deaths remained in single digits and current hospitalizations remained relatively flat, but new confirmed cases leaped again, continuing a steep two-week climb.
In Duluth, confronting racism with a 'Hello'
July 17, 2020
As one of the few Black employees at the St. Louis County courthouse in Duluth, John Staine felt he was being singled out — and he was sick of it. So, he took an unconventional approach to confronting the bias.
- MPR News with Angela Davis Fighting racism in greater Minnesota
- ‘We never solved the problem’ Echoes of 1920 Duluth lynching persist at centennial
- Voices of Minnesota Calls for change across the state
COVID-19: As more people return to work, 4 things to know about your rights
July 16, 2020
Workers and employers are facing myriad questions and concerns about workplace safety. Here’s what you need to know about your rights as you return to work.
Minneapolis cops required to report de-escalation efforts
July 16, 2020
The Minneapolis Police Department is changing its policy on reporting use-of-force incidents to require that officers document their attempts to de-escalate a situation.
- Last week Task force designed to guide changes for Minneapolis police
- More Minneapolis council members pledge thoughtful police revamp