Good morning. It's Thursday and we're starting with COVID-19 news today, after the forecast. Warm with storms possible all day. In the Twin Cities, highs in the upper 80s with rain and thunderstorms getting more likely as the day goes. Statewide, highs from 70s in the north to lower 90s in the south with likely thunderstorms all day. More on Updraft | Forecast Minnesota's COVID-19 toll is showing signs of plateauing. Current hospitalizations and intensive care cases are falling, and the daily death count is trending down.
State leaders will give an update on guidance for schools today. A press release from the Health Department says its officials as well as leaders from the Department of Educationc at 2 p.m. As of this writing, that's all we know, so follow MPRnews.org for the latest.
Here are the latest coronavirus statistics: 31,296 cases confirmed (419 new) via 448,587 tests 1,325 deaths (12 new) 3,689 cases requiring hospitalization 351 people remain hospitalized; 181 in intensive care 27,404 patients no longer needing isolation
George Floyd's brother is asking the United Nations to investigate racism and police brutality in the U.S. NPR reports that Philonise Floyd is seeking an inquiry specifically into "police killings of black people and America and the violence used against peaceful protesters ... "I'm asking you to help him. I'm asking you to help me," he added. "I am asking you to help us: black people in America." Dismantling the police in favor of a public safety program makes more sense than the status quo for some Minneapolis neighborhoods. MPR News' Riham Feshir checked in on Minneapolis' Folwell neighborhood, where residents are used to protecting their community and where police often fail to respond to calls. "We're not witnessing the law enforcement coming out. We're only seeing one or two squad cars, even the National Guard passed by one time and just waves,” Devonia Kliche said. “It's kind of crazy, we keep fighting. How long do we have to be out here every day?"
When the protests over George Floyd's killing began, many metro-area police had equipment made for war. NPR reports: "At least 10 police departments in the Minneapolis and St. Paul suburbs have obtained either all or nearly all of their Department of Defense military-grade equipment — ranging from $13.56 cartridge magazines to hulking personnel carriers with original price tags surpassing $700,000 — during the first three and a half years of the Trump administration."
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | @codyleenelson | 
