Minnesota Today

Police deployed tear gas and flash-bang grenades Sunday night to clear protesters who gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department after the fatal police shooting of a 20-year-old man. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said more National Guard troops and state law enforcement personnel were headed into the Twin Cities.

This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, April 12, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The medical examiner who ruled George Floyd’s death a homicide said heart disease combined with being restrained by Derek Chauvin and two other officers led to the man’s death. Other medical experts described Floyd’s being squeezed between Chauvin’s knee, the other officers on his back and legs and the pavement. Meanwhile, Minneapolis police leaders testified that Chauvin’s use of force did not follow his training. This is a special edition of Minnesota Today for Saturday, April 10, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Long-awaited testimony from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner in the trial of Derek Chauvin is focused on how George Floyd died. On the stand Friday, Dr. Andrew Baker said, with the autopsy, he determined the force applied to Floyd was too great for him to bear, given his heart disease.  This is the MPR News afternoon update for Friday, April 9, 2021. Hosted by Perry Finelli. Theme music by Gary Meister.

Hennepin County Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker takes the stand Friday in what could be pivotal testimony in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Baker, who conducted the autopsy on Floyd’s body, ruled the man’s death a homicide last year, saying Floyd went into cardiopulmonary arrest as then-officer Chauvin kept his knee pressed on the neck of the prone, handcuffed man.

This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, April 9, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Medical experts weigh in as focus moves to George Floyd's cause of death. Also, Minneapolis police say three stabbings were random, had one assailant. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Wednesday began with a prosecution use-of-force expert concluding that Chauvin's restraint of Floyd constituted an unwarranted use of deadly force.  Jody Stiger noted that Floyd's subdued position — handcuffed, prone and pinned face down on the street — created the danger of positional asphyxia even without the pressure of Chauvin's knee on Floyd's neck. Adding the body weight increased the likelihood of death, he added. 

This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, April 8, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Expert says police have long known dangers of restraining arrestees and the potential fatal consequences. Also state moves to close sexual assault law loophole. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Jurors in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial have heard a succession of Minneapolis police officials in recent days call Chauvin’s use of force to subdue George Floyd unreasonable and outside the bounds of department policy. Police rarely call out a fellow officer for decisions made on the job, so those moments in court have been extraordinary. 

This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

State's case heading into home stretch for Chauvin trial, as experts testify about the use of force standards and what the video of George Floyd’s death shows. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

A key part of Derek Chauvin’s murder trial defense is that the Minneapolis officer’s use of force against George Floyd last May was appropriate and in line with department policy. But high-ranking Minneapolis police leaders have spent the past few days testifying that simply isn’t so.

This is an MPR News morning update for Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.