Minnesota Today

Minneapolis police chief testifies Floyd's death "not part of our ethics or values" as he takes the stand in a second murder trial against his officers. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Chauvin’s defense argues that Floyd’s death was caused from the drugs in his body and his underlying health problems and that Chauvin’s use of force was in sync with Police Department policy. A piece of that argument took a hit on Friday when the head of the Minneapolis police homicide unit testified the use of force officers used on Floyd was “totally unnecessary.”

This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, April 5, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Wrenching testimony from bystanders interspersed with video of George Floyd’s last moments dominated the first week of testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin. The former Minneapolis police officer’s superiors also testified that the force used seemed beyond what was necessary. This is a special edition of Minnesota Today for April 3, 2021. Hosted by Nina Moini. Music by Gary Meister.

The first week of Derek Chauvin's murder trial ended Friday with testimony from the Minneapolis Police Department's most senior officer. Lt. Richard Zimmerman said the force used by Chauvin and other officers was “uncalled for” to subdue someone in handcuffs. Also, fire danger continues for most of Minnesota. This is the MPR News afternoon update for Friday, April 2, 2021. Hosted by Perry Finelli. Theme music by Gary Meister.

The force used by Minneapolis police to subdue George Floyd wasn’t needed after Floyd stopped resisting, Derek Chauvin’s then-supervisor testified Thursday during Chauvin’s murder and manslaughter trial. David Pleoger, now a retired police sergeant, told the court that he called Chauvin after hearing concerns raised by a 911 operator who felt something didn’t seem right as she glanced at streaming video of Floyd’s arrest from a public safety camera outside Cup Foods.

This is an MPR News morning update for Friday, April, 2, 2021. Hosted by Phil Picardi.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Health officials are upping their concern about another COVID surge, as the UK variant gains speed. And paramedics say George Floyd was already dead when they found him on Chicago Avenue last May. This is an evening up date from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

The intensity, frustration and anguish of George Floyd’s fatal encounter with Minneapolis police came into agonizing view Wednesday as prosecutors played extended police body camera footage capturing multiple views of the incidents that led to Floyd's killing. Viewed in succession, the videos offered a brutal, close-up look at officers struggling to push a handcuffed Floyd into a squad car, then pinning him to the pavement to subdue him as he pleads that he can’t breathe, while bystanders on the curb yelled that Floyd is dying.

This is an MPR News morning update for Thursday, April 1, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Derek Chauvin defends pinning George Floyd to the ground in body camera video, as jurors watch never-before-released footage from the fatal arrest. This is an evening update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.

Walking in her south Minneapolis neighborhood last May, off-duty firefighter Genevieve Hansen said she was drawn to the sound of agitated voices near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue and went to see if anyone needed help. She found an active police scene outside Cup Foods, and officer Derek Chauvin’s knee pressed against the neck of George Floyd as the man lay handcuffed and face down on the street, pleading for air.

This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Witnesses to the death of George Floyd take the stand in the Derek Chauvin trial, including a Minneapolis firefighter that offered graphic detail of Floyd’s dying struggle. This is an evening news update from MPR News, hosted by Tim Nelson. Music by Gary Meister.