Jan. 4, 2022

State COVID testing sites have been bombarded with post-holiday testing demand, driven in part by the quickly spreading and highly contagious omicron variant of the virus.

In a press release, Gov. Tim Walz said that the state will open three new testing sites, operated by the National Guard.

Two of them will be in Anoka and Cottage Grove to meet demand in the Twin Cities. Information on when and where has not yet been released. The third will open in North Branch on Jan. 10.

The state will also give schools 1.8 million at home rapid tests to give to families and provide 150,000 at-home tests to communities hit hard by the virus. It's not clear how long it will take the state to distribute the rapid tests.

Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. —Catharine Richert, MPR News

Blizzard warnings west, snowy and dicey morning rush hours ahead Wednesday

Light snow is already falling across parts of northern Minnesota as of Tuesday afternoon. Snowfall will increase in coverage through Wednesday across Minnesota.

Panel of judges hears arguments on Minnesota's new political maps

A panel of five judges heard arguments Tuesday about how to draw new political district boundaries in Minnesota. The once-a-decade process is likely once again to be completed by the judicial branch, as it has for decades.

Boat-cleaning stations aim to contain aquatic invader

The self-serve stations are being installed at a handful of public accesses on northern Minnesota lakes infested with starry stonewort, a fast-spreading invasive algae.

Rep. Hagedorn tests positive for COVID-19

First District U.S. Rep Jim Hagedorn said he is vaccinated and is experiencing mild symptoms but is in the care of Mayo Clinic because he has kidney cancer.

Why are so many vaccinated people getting COVID-19 lately?

Multiple factors are at play, starting with the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant that's more likely to infect people, even if it doesn’t make them very sick.

The CDC now recommends Pfizer boosters after 5 months, down from 6

The move to shorten the Pfizer booster interval comes as the U.S. shatters daily case records. The recommended interval for those who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines has not changed.

Lakota woman taps Indigenous healing remedies to launch Mankato business

Megan Schnitker opened her retail store, Lakota Made, in July and is already outgrowing the space. The Indigenous herbalist says her homemade salves, tonics and teas are a way of preserving her Lakota culture and building a legacy to pass on to her children.

SPONSOR

Teachers at culture war front lines with Jan. 6 education

Teachers are left to decide how — or whether — to instruct their students about the events that sit at the heart of the country’s division. And the lessons sometimes vary based on whether they are in a red state or a blue state.

Drivers have been stuck for hours in freezing temperatures after crashes block I-95

Jackknifed tractor-trailers blocked traffic in both directions along the vital corridor south of the nation's capital. Some people waited 16 hours or more for rescue.

Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe

This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101