Good Thursday morning.

More than 10,000 Minnesotans have died as a result of COVID-19. The state passed the milestone Wednesday . A few notes from MPR’s David Montgomery: Those who died tended to be older. More than half were over 80, and nearly 1 percent of the state’s seniors died. Still, deaths hit every age group, including three children under 10. And those in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities were especially hard hit, particularly early in the pandemic. Overall more than half of the deaths were in long-term care facilities, which is huge considering fewer than 100,000 people are in long-term care. That was especially true in 2020, when two thirds of all Minnesota’s COVID-19 deaths were in long term care. In 2021, after vaccinations became available, long-term care residents have accounted for about one-third of COVID deaths.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty Wednesday to the federal charge of violating George Floyd's civil rights, using excessive force that killed Floyd while in police custody. The move means Chauvin will not face a federal trial in January, although he could end up spending more years behind bars. In April, jurors in state court convicted Chauvin of murder and manslaughter in the Floyd case, and a judge later sentenced him to 22 1/2 years. Chauvin also pleaded guilty to using excessive force against a 14-year-old boy during a 2017 incident, separate from the Floyd case. Federal prosecutors are recommending a sentence of up to 25 years.

The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission holds a public hearing this afternoon on a proposal to reduce prison time for some felons.  The proposed change would impact those who commit crimes while in custody, on probation or supervised release. The change would eliminate a half point on the guidelines. The point system is used to determine sentences. The panel is made up of state corrections officials, judges, law enforcement and public members. More than 50 Republicans in the Minnesota House sent a letter to the commission last week contending that the proposed changes run counter to the government's role of providing security and protection to citizens. They argue that even sex offenders could benefit from the proposed change. Gov. Tim Walz disputed that Wednesday when he was asked about the proposal. "Trying to tell Minnesotans that this is somehow going to make them less safe is simply not true,” Walz said. “The sentencing commission is made up of a vast swath of expertise, so I would expect them to make the right decisions on that, to  be smart about what it takes to keep Minnesotans safe and not just to have a knee jerk reaction." Supporters of the change say it would free up prison space and save taxpayers money. The commission will vote on the plan in January.

Minnesota’s 2020 insulin safety net law was the subject of a federal appeals court hearing Wednesday.  A legal challenge by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, was originally struck down and the companies are trying to revive it. Briana Bierschbach of the Star Tribune reports advocates for affordable insulin call the legal challenge "morally reprehensible," citing the nearly 500 people who have taken advantage of the program since the law took effect last year. "David beat Goliath and ultimately hundreds of Minnesotans are benefiting," said Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, who helped craft the law after a protracted battle at the Capitol. "The reason we are here today is because Goliath isn't done yet ... they are trying to rip insulin from the hands of people in need." Under the law, Minnesotans facing a short-term emergency insulin shortage who cannot afford the medicine can go to their pharmacy and get a 30-day supply. Minnesotans can also apply for a longer-term supply — up to a year — if they're struggling to afford the cost of insulin.

A higher payroll tax took effect Wednesday because of Minnesota’s depleted unemployment insurance trust fund.  House Republicans say the tax increase is unnecessary, given the state’s $7.7 billion projected budget surplus. "The past 18 months have been unimaginably difficult for Minnesota businesses, and it's disappointing that once again Democrats are content to let taxes go up so they can use it as negotiating leverage in the upcoming session," said Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, in a statement. Gov. Walz said last week that the situation will be fixed, but he didn’t provide details and suggested the largest businesses would not get a tax cut. State Republican Party Chair David Hann also weighed in. “With a $7.7 billion surplus, Minnesotans are already overtaxed, and with more than $1 billion of unspent federal dollars, there is no excuse for Walz and his Democrat allies forcing small businesses to pay more," Hann said in a statement.