Good morning. The six days of mourning the death of George Floyd are over and he now rests in a Houston suburb next to his mother. Today, we again share tributes to Floyd followed by the latest COVID-19 news. First, weather. Colder and breezy. Twin Cities highs in the lower 70s with a chance of rain and 15 to 25 mph winds. Statewide highs in the 60s with some showers possible. More on Updraft | Forecast George Floyd was born in Houston's Third Ward, growing up in the Cuney Homes neighborhood, his brother Rodney told mourners. In death, Floyd's impact goes far beyond there, Rodney said. "Everybody is going to remember him around the world. He is going to change the world.”
“George Floyd was not expendable. This is why we’re here." Democratic Rep. Al Green of Houston was among the speakers at the Fountain of Praise church. “His crime was that he was born black. That was his only crime. George Floyd deserved the dignity and respect that we accord all people just because they are children of a common God.”
Since Floyd's killing, people have protested around the world and changes are already taking place. "Confederate statues have been toppled, and many cities are debating overhauling, dismantling or cutting funding for police departments. Authorities in some places have barred police from using chokeholds or are otherwise rethinking policies on the use of force," writes the AP. And all four officers involved in Floyd's death face charges.
Back in Minnesota, some community members are wary of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigating Floyd's killing. “The Minnesota BCA’s investigatory record in officer-involved maimings and killings is mediocre at best and corrupt at worst ,” said Robert Bennett, a civil rights attorney who’s represented several families of victims of police brutality cases in Minnesota. “They employ a double standard. If it was you or I committing the crime, they’d investigate the devil out of it. But if it’s police officers, they don’t.”
On the COVID-19 front, Minnesota's restrictions are now a lot looser. Today marks the beginning of phase three of Gov. Tim Walz's reopening plan. Now, restaurants, bars, places of worship, hair salons, fitness centers and places like theaters and bowling alleys will be allowed to operate indoors and outdoors at limited capacity. For all the details, look here.
Here are the latest coronavirus statistics:28,523 cases confirmed via 354,226 tests -
1,217 deaths 3,441 cases requiring hospitalization 455 people remain hospitalized; 199 in intensive care 24,221 patients no longer needing isolation
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | @codyleenelson | 
