March 11, 2020
Slushy mix of rain and snow tonight and tomorrow. Some patchy snow showers are possible in north-central and northeastern Minnesota tonight. Tomorrow, rain is likely in southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, while other parts of the state may see a rain/snow mix.
Minnesota now has five COVID-19 cases confirmed. The two patients are in Ramsey and Olmsted counties, respectively, and both have international travel history. The Ramsey case is a person in their 30s. The Olmsted case involves a person in their 50s who may have been symptomatic while at work. Over COVID-19 fears, U of M suspends in-person classes. The school will extend spring break on the Duluth, Rochester, and Twin Cities campuses until March 18, when students will resume classes, through online or alternative instruction. For now, residence halls, dining services, and other student services will continue. It’s springtime in Duluth, time to break some ice. I said some ice, but it is actually a ton. It’s around the time for the return of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alder to break thick ice on Lake Superior so that 1,000-foot long ships loaded with taconite, coal, limestone and other cargo can maneuver without getting stuck. Watch Alder’s annual ritual of breaking Lake Superior ice here. Bison at this farm eat beer mash. Their meat goes back to where their food came from. A Sleepy Eye farmer goes to this brewery/cafe in downtown twice every week, not for beer but for food for his bison. Then the bison’s meat comes back to the cafe, showing up on the menu in the form of bison chili, bison sandwiches and the occasional Italian wedding soup meatballs. It’s food coming full circle.
— Jiwon Choi, MPR News | 
