Congress' electoral count to resume after pro-Trump mob storms Capitol

Minnesota’s weather looks tranquil through the upcoming weekend. Expect more patchy freezing fog in the mornings as temperatures fall to near the dew point overnight. Find more on the Updraft.

A mob stormed the U.S. Capitol during the scheduled counting of the nations’ electoral votes Wednesday. Officials have declared the U.S. Capitol complex “secure” after heavily armed police moved to end a nearly four-hour violent occupation by supporters of President Donald Trump.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi informed House lawmakers that Congress will reconvene Wednesday night to continue its constitutional duty to count and certify the electoral votes. Watch the proceedings live on MPR News, expected to resume at 7 p.m.

Several members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including senior Republican Tom Emmer, called for calm in Washington, and urged demonstrators there to respect the rule of law and law enforcement.

DFL Rep. Dean Phillips tweeted that he and his colleagues had been told to take cover on the House floor and have gas masks ready.

Meanwhile, dozens of President Trump’s Minnesotan supporters gathered peacefully at the State Capitol in St. Paul this afternoon, with helicopters circling the building and a notably stepped up law enforcement presence. Police were also seen in front of the Governor’s Residence on Summit Avenue with other demonstrators there.

In other news, Gov. Tim Walz, as expected, rolled out the changes he’s putting into effect next week, as his November pandemic restrictions are set to expire this weekend.

Walz said bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses can reopen their doors starting Jan. 11, with restrictions. Learn more about the new restrictions here.

The latest COVID-19 data for the state includes 67 deaths, dozens more than the average daily toll over the last week. Forty of the deaths were in long-term care settings.

New confirmed cases at about 2,300 were on par with the numbers from the last week.