More storms overnight, cool-down Friday. The morning rain and thunderstorms has brought much cooler temperatures across Minnesota, and the trend will continue tomorrow. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in eastern Minnesota, mainly in the evening. Friday will be partly cloudy with highs in the upper 60s to lower 80s, and far southeastern Minnesota may have more showers and storms Friday night.

State officials ask schools to be ready with multiple plans for fall. State health and education officials on Thursday released guidance to help Minnesota’s public schools plan for the coming school year. But it’s possible they’ll start the year with one scenario and then ask all schools, or some schools to switch to a different scenario part way through the academic year, depending on what happens with COVID-19 cases.

Governor asks GOP to go big on police overhaul package during special session. “Now is the time,” Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday as he urged Senate GOP leaders to work with House DFLers on a package of sweeping changes to how policing is done in Minnesota. Republicans say they will end the special session Friday. In the Democratic-led House, black, Latinx and Native American members have taken the lead in advancing bills aimed at increasing transparency, civility and accountability in law enforcement.

COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 19 more deaths; hospitalizations continue downward trend.
Among those who’ve died in the pandemic, some 80 percent were residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities, nearly all had underlying health problems. Health officials on Thursday issued guidance for outdoor visits at long-term care facilities, in addition to earlier guidelines on window visits.

— Sara Porter | MPR News