Minnesota Today

Aiming to prevent a further spike in homelessness resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that the state will offer up to $100 million in housing assistance to help homeowners and renters.

Funding for the program will come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. 

This is an MPR News evening update for Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Both city councils passed the measure on Monday night. Several other Minnesota cities already require masks be worn in public indoor spaces. MPR New morning update for July 14, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans.

A new name must still be selected for one of the oldest and most storied teams in the National Football League, and it's unclear how soon that will happen. But for now, arguably the most polarizing name in North American professional sports is gone at a time of reckoning over racial injustice, iconography and racism in the U.S.

This is an MPR News evening update for Monday, July 13, 2020. Hosted by Tim Nelson and Britta Greene.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Lawmakers are back in St. Paul for the start of the summer’s second special session. MPR News morning update for July 13, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

Minnesota health officials reported another 715 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state on Sunday, as the state’s death toll passed 1,500 since the pandemic started. The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests has increased in the past couple days as the pace of new cases has accelerated.

Sunday’s update from the Minnesota Department of Health reported three more COVID-19 deaths in the state; the overall death toll now stands at 1,502.

This is an MPR News update for Sunday July 12, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The federal government has denied a request from the state of Minnesota for a disaster declaration and financial support, to help clean up and repair fire damage from unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. MPR News update for July 11, 2020. Hosted by Emily Bright. Our theme music is by Gary Meister. 

For the first time since mid-March, outsiders will be allowed into Minnesota’s long-term care homes to visit residents.

The Minnesota Department of Health put out new guidance Friday that allows residents to designate an “essential caregiver” to visit them inside their residence and to have physical contact with them.

This is an MPR News evening update for Friday, July 10, 2020. Hosted by Nina Moini.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

The last session ended with no action on police accountability measures in the wake of George Floyd’s death. MPR News update for July 10, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

A Hennepin County judge issued a gag order Thursday preventing lawyers from discussing the George Floyd case publicly.

At least two attorneys representing the former police officers charged in Floyd’s death talked with reporters Wednesday about the case, according to the filing.

In his order, Judge Peter Cahill wrote that pretrial publicity will taint the jury pool and could result in an unfair trial.

This is an MPR News evening update for Thursday July 9, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.

One of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd has filed a motion to dismiss charges, saying there isn’t enough evidence to establish probable cause that he committed a crime. 

Thomas Lane is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter. He was one of four officers fired after Floyd was killed on May 25 when officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly eight minutes. 

This is an MPR News evening update for Wednesday July 8, 2020. Hosted by Britta Greene.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.