June 17, 2020

Thirst-quenching shower tomorrow. After a couple of hot summer days, we’re going to get some cooler temperatures with showers overnight into Thursday. Rain and thunderstorms are making their way to Minnesota, starting in the northern and western parts of the state after midnight then statewide Thursday. Highs tomorrow will be in the mid-70s to the upper 80s.

Juneteenth to be a company holiday at Target, Best Buy, U.S. Bank. The three Minnesota-based companies announced the move this week, and this Friday, June 19, will be a paid company holiday at Target and U.S. Bank. Best Buy says it’ll start observing the day next year.

At least 10 Twin Cities-area police departments obtained all or most of their military-grade equipment under Trump. Many of the law enforcement agencies that responded to protests in the Twin Cities over the killing of George Floyd were recent beneficiaries of free excess military materiel from a Pentagon program, originally meant to support counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations. Read more here.

COVID-19 in Minnesota today: No spike yet in cases after Floyd protests; ICU, hospitalization numbers stable. Health officials on Wednesday reported 12 more deaths, putting the total at 1,325 since the pandemic began. MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said while the initial testing results show a low rate of positive cases among Floyd protesters, assuming two incubation periods is reasonable for deciding whether the protests have affected positive test numbers.

Father’s Day 2020! Do you — or your dad — have a so-lame-it’s-so-good dad joke? Why not share the punchline with fellow Minnesotans? Tag us on Twitter or Instagram using #MPRDadJokes with your family-favorite comedy gold and we will share it on MPR News’ social media!

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News | @ChoiGEE1

George Floyd's brother to UN Human Rights Council: 'I am asking you to help us'

Philonise Floyd calls for a United Nations probe into police brutality in the U.S., which is not part of the council. "I'm asking you to help him," he tells the diplomats. "I'm asking you to help me."

AP-NORC poll: Sweeping change in U.S. views of police violence

GOP lawmakers blast Secretary of State Simon for deal in voting lawsuits

Minnesota’s witness requirement for absentee ballots would be suspended for the Aug. 11 primary under an agreement reached between the state and the plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the current rules. DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon made the concession to the challenging groups, and that has Republican lawmakers crying foul.

Primary primer: What you need to know about Minnesota's August election
Why is voting by mail controversial?: What you need to know
Elections 2020: Vote-by-mail plan for Minnesota gets cool reception

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For some Minneapolis residents, dismantling the police isn’t far-fetched

During the unrest in the days following the police killing of George Floyd, some residents banded together to defend themselves. They say those lessons can help reimagine a community-led public safety program that’s organized and ready to protect their neighborhoods.

Rethinking police: How Camden, N.J., reimagined its force
'Defunding police': What does it mean?
Minneapolis council takes steps: To put police changes before voters

Not 8:46: Actual time Floyd was being knelt on off by one minute, prosecutors say

Since George Floyd was killed, eight minutes and 46 seconds has become part of the rallying cry in worldwide protests. But prosecutors on Wednesday acknowledged that the actual time is seven minutes and 46 seconds. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says that the one minute error made no difference in the decision to file charges.

Officer who shot Rayshard Brooks charged with felony murder

Prosecutors brought murder charges against the white Atlanta police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks in the back, saying that the black man posed no threat when he was gunned down and that the officer kicked him and offered no medical treatment as he lay dying on the ground.

2020 electoral map ratings: Biden has an edge over Trump, with 5 months to go

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden has an advantage over President Trump in the states likely to tip the presidential race, but he's still short of solidifying 270 electoral votes needed to win.

Former national security adviser: Bolton says Trump asked China to help him get reelected

City of Duluth moves to remove the word 'chief' from key job titles

The Duluth City Council will vote Monday on a proposal to change the city’s “chief administrative officer” position to “city administrator.” The goal is to “proactively remove language that is harmful, misrepresentative, and derogatory.”

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