NewsPartners

Questions or requests? Contact MPR News editor Michael Olson at molson@mpr.org.

December 8, 2020 3:00 PM

How do you stick a satellite tracker on a polar bear? Polar bear glue, of course

When faced with the challenge of sticking trackers to huge bears wandering the Arctic tundra, researchers turned to the brains behind Post-it notes.

by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 8, 2020 5:17 AM

Dec. 8 update on COVID-19 in MN: 22 more deaths; 3K new cases

The newest numbers are part of a crucial week of COVID-19 news and decision-making. Gov. Tim Walz and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday rallied around a plan for vaccinations expected to start before Christmas.

by MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 8, 2020 4:00 AM

Penalties rare for ignoring COVID-19 precautions

Even as Minnesota has become a national hot spot for coronavirus cases and deaths, many people are ignoring safety protocols ordered by Gov. Tim Walz. The safety measures allow for noncompliance penalties, but they appear to be rare. Health officials say education is a better approach than punishment to get people to follow COVID-19 safety measures.

by Mark Zdechlik

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 8, 2020 4:00 AM

Tell us something good about 2020

Yes, it’s been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year. But it hasn’t all been awful. Some perfected the art of breadmaking. Sidewalk chalk brightened up our neighborhoods while birthdays got the parades they deserve. So tell us: What brought you joy this year?

by Nancy Yang

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 8, 2020 4:00 AM

Walz details COVID-19 vaccine plan; GOP leaders back it

Vaccinations for health workers and the state’s most vulnerable residents could begin before Christmas, and all residents who get vaccinated will get a card confirming it. “It is happening. It is ready,” Gov. Tim Walz said of the start of vaccinations.

by Catharine Richert

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 8, 2020 4:00 AM

As COVID-19 spreads in Minn. prisons, loved ones worry

Prisons have lowered their numbers and taken other measures to stem the virus’s spread. But that hasn’t been enough to stop deadly outbreaks in Minnesota and across the United States — and family members and advocates say state and federal governments haven’t done enough to keep their loved ones safe.

by Kirsti Marohn

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 7, 2020 10:02 PM

Mpls. council pushes forward with police budget cuts; Frey considers veto

The cuts are part of a proposal introduced late last month by members of the council, which takes $7.7 million from the Police Department’s budget to fund other public safety programs and initiatives.

by MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 7, 2020 3:15 PM

Comedian puts people skills to work at George Floyd's Square

For six months, residents — many out of work because of the pandemic — have put their skills to use maintaining an autonomous zone at the Minneapolis intersection where police killed George Floyd. They include a comedian, whose profession prepared them for much more than cracking jokes.

by Megan Burks

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 7, 2020 10:40 AM

Activist who toppled Columbus statue at Capitol gets community service

Mike Forcia, who had faced felony criminal damage to property charges for the June incident, will do 100 hours of community service. “The consensus was that jail and prison time and conviction would not be what was the best response,” a county prosecutor said Monday.

by Tim Nelson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

December 7, 2020 5:35 AM

Private money helped pay to conduct Minnesota’s election

With Congress failing to provide enough aid to election offices, private funders — including Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg — donated hundreds of millions to help conduct elections around the country.

by Tom Scheck, Geoffrey Hing, Sabby Robinson and Gracie Stockton

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.