MPR News Update
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Good morning and welcome to the weekend. There’s a lot of news to know.

Mostly sunny, but a little chillier. Twin Cities highs in the upper 30s with 10 to 15 mph winds and nighttime lows in the lower 20s. Statewide, northern highs in the 20s and southern highs from mid-30s to lower 40s. Northern temps get down to zero at night. More on Updraft. | Forecast

Minnesota schools won’t close, but are asking for “ social distancing” for now. The state now has at least nine coronavirus cases.

Overall, the coronavirus is containment. For now. But be ready for longer-term life changes. "We are now starting to move into the phase when we want to move into community mitigation ... where people's personal lives will be impacted ... even if they are healthy,” Kris Ehresmann, the state’s infectious disease director, told reporters.

MNsure plans are waiving co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for COVID-19 testing. Martin Moylan reports on the latest on what other major health providers are covering (it’s a lot, fortunately) for coronavirus tests.

A potential bright spot: Mayo Clinic may have a new test for COVID-19. Writes reporter Catharine Richert: “The clinic says the test should provide a speedy result, within 24 hours. Mayo is in the process of testing 90 samples. All positive samples will be sent to the Minnesota Department of Health or the CDC for follow-up testing and confirmation.”

There are a few more coronavirus stories worth highlighting … Minneapolis requires paid sick leave, and the city wants to make sure workers get it. Our digital producer Jiwon Choi is on self-quarantine and has been tested for COVID-19 after potential exposure at a work conference, and she shared her experience. And we’re still taking and answering your coronavirus questions.

St. Paul educators reach tentative contract deal. The St. Paul school district and its teachers union have reached a tentative settlement at 3 a.m. this morning and school could resume for 36,000 students on Monday.

Please don’t drive on the thinning ice. It’s getting rapidly thinner across the state, as Paul Huttner writes.

Twin Cities speed limits are decreasing. Some 30 mph streets are going down to 20 or 25 mph. New speeds only apply to city-owned roads, but the limits take effect as soon as the signs are up.

-- Cody Nelson, MPR News

St. Paul educators reach tentative contract deal, call off strike
The union representing and the district announced they had reached a tentative settlement at about 3 a.m. this morning. The union told members to report to work this afternoon, although schools will remain closed today.
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Minnesota DFL, GOP scale back political activity amid coronavirus concern
State DFLers and Republicans are postponing endorsing conventions, effectively suspending decisions in key political contests for a month or more. The DFL is also cutting back on in-person contact with voters.
Rural towns insulated from coronavirus now may take a harder hit later
The coronavirus will likely take longer to reach remote rural communities but may be more devastating. Though there may not be public transit or big crowds, rural areas are vulnerable in other ways.
Census 2020: Minn. cities move to make sure renters get counted
State officials say renters are the most under-counted group in Minnesota. And those residents could make the difference in determining whether the state holds on to an eighth Congressional seat.
What's on the radio today?
9 a.m. — 1A

First, America has now been told that coronavirus is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu. Is the message finally hitting home? For so many, it's been a week that's changed how we work and who we see.

And at 10 a.m.: Whatever the world has been doing, the World Health Organization says it's still not enough. Eight countries, including the U.S, each now report more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19. The story is moving fast and you'll hear the very latest on the Friday News Roundup.

11 a.m. —Politics Friday with Mike Mulcahy

The number of coronavirus cases in Minnesota is rising, but with the legislative session in full swing, lawmakers have kept the Capitol building open. The House and Senate voted unanimously to approve close to $21 million in spending on coronavirus response. This hour, we’ll hear from a Republican and a DFLer on how they believe the state has handled what the World Health Organization has called a global pandemic — and what could be to come for Minnesotans. Also, a lawmaker who’s also a doctor weighs in on keeping folks in the capitol building safe.

12 p.m. —  MPR News Presents

Politics with Amy Walter on the Friday Takeaway. One of her topics this week: With another set of primaries completed, November’s election is coming into focus. Is this the beginning of the end of the Democratic primary contest?

This programming schedule is subject to change.
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