After calls from public health officials and several days of signaling support for a statewide mask order, Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday finally issued a rule requiring people to wear masks or face coverings in public indoor spaces in Minnesota.
More than half of U.S. states have issued similar mandates. So have most major Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud.
- Map Where were face masks already required
- Nationwide Which states have face mask requirements
- Read Executive order mandating masks
On March 18, 1918, cellist Pablo Casals performed in Duluth as a part of Matinee Musicale. 100 years later, cellist Amit Peled re-created that program on the exact same cello. Listen to that performance now.
- Matinee Musicale Listen to Lynn Harrell's recital in Duluth
- Matinee Musicale More performances from Duluth
A majority of people calling into a public hearing Wednesday urge the Minneapolis City Council to make much deeper cuts to the Police Department’s $193 million budget.
- Minneapolis residents ask Dismantle the police — then what?
- Ballot question passion Hundreds call in on removing police from the city's charter
A 60-game season, stars opting out. Ballparks without fans, players wearing masks. Piped-in sound effects, cardboard cutouts for spectators. Spray-painted ads on the mound, pitchers with personal rosin bags.
Here’s what you need to know about Minnesota’s mask mandate and what face coverings do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Yes, wearing masks helps Here's why
- More FAQs Is a homemade mask effective? And what's the best way to wear one?
- A user's guide to masks What's best at protecting others (and yourself)
Minnesota officials have told schools to prepare for three different scenarios for resuming classes in the fall. None of these options is an ideal choice for most students. And the reality for students of color is likely to have a disproportionate impact on their health, families and education.
- Poll Very few Americans back full school reopening
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
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
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?
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
