March 25, 2020
Gray, cloudy weather continues in southern half of Minnesota. Expect wetter roads for what used to be rush hour in the Twin Cities. We might get a few more passing renegade showers Friday across southern Minnesota. A stronger storm appears on the weather maps by Saturday.
Gov. Walz issues ‘stay-at-home’ order, but it’s not a complete lockdown. Walz has ordered Minnesotans to stay at home for two weeks, at least, as part of the state's ongoing efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease. The order still allows essential activities and services to continue, Walz said. People will be allowed to exercise outdoors and visit the grocery store, for example, with proper social distancing. Read more on the order and updates from around the state, here. Emergency orders have some questioning whether governor has too much power. Walz’s latest order received mixed reactions from Minnesota’s top legislators. The governor has been using executive orders to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic for a few weeks. The DFL governor insists his actions are necessary because of the health crisis, but some legislators are wondering why they aren’t involved in the decision making. Several Republican legislators pushed back last week against the DFL governor’s executive actions. Cook County to second-home owners: Stay away, for now . Even before Wednesday’s order, Cook County commissioners were asking seasonal homeowners to stay away until the threat of the coronavirus passes, citing the remote county’s lack of health care infrastructure and aging population. What questions do you have about the ‘stay at home’ order? Or about COVID-19 and its impact in general? Share your questions with us here. — Sara Porter, MPR News | 
