July 29, 2020

Ideal for human comfort. The weather bliss continues until the end of the week in Minnesota. Thursday highs will be in the upper 70s to the mid-80s. Sunny, clear skies will prevail tomorrow.

Minnesota’s hospitalization, ICU case counts highest in a month. Are these discouraging numbers just a blip? No, says Kris Ehresmann, the state’s infectious disease director, adding the increase in hospitalizations will likely continue. As of Wednesday, 310 Minnesotans are hospitalized with COVID-19, including 143 people in ICU. The new case count trajectory (681) also keeps shooting upward, which has been a trend since earlier this month.

No indoor bar services in Minneapolis starting Saturday . Mayor Jacob Frey announced the new measure to curb the virus’ spread today, saying “a night out at the bar is too often leading to nights in the hospital for family, for friends and for neighbors.” City officials said hundreds of COVID-19 cases have been traced to bars, including three outbreaks among bar employees. While the restriction shuts down indoor bar areas like taprooms and nightclubs, restaurants can still operate indoor food service and staff can bring alcoholic drinks to tables.

Minnesota will give away 4 million free masks to businesses. Gov. Walz announced the plan today during his meeting with business leaders in the state, saying it's important for business owners to have masks available for anyone who needs one. Walz and Minnesota health officials have said Minnsota needs 90 percent or better compliance to curb the spread of the virus.

Most U of M classes this fall are likely to stay online. The university has rolled out plans that allow for flexibility in classes amid the virus crisis. The plans list more than 6,200 classes as online or remote. So far, the Twin Cities campus has around 2,600 classes assigned to a room, meaning they'll be either in-person classes or used in a hybrid of in person and online. Students can adjust their classes to take them in the format that works best for them, a U of M spokesperson said.

Have you been relying on the additional $600/week in federal unemployment benefits? Are you concerned about making ends meet with that benefit scheduled to expire Friday? Please, share your story with us to inform our reporting.

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News | @ChoiGEE1

Minneapolis students likely to start year remotely

Officials plan to improve the distance learning experience, even as they intend to bring students back to buildings later in the school year.

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Ex-Mpls. cop argues for dropped charges in Floyd death

An attorney for former officer Tou Thao filed a motion Wednesday saying Thao will ask the judge to dismiss the charges at a Sept. 11 hearing. Thao's attorney says the charges are not supported by probable cause.

Higher COVID-19 rates seen in Black and Hispanic kids

Children’s Minnesota has treated around 300 pediatric COVID-19 cases as of mid-July. Thirty-one percent of those patients were Black or African American; 24 percent Hispanic; 16 percent white; and 11 percent Asian.

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After 33 days on life support, St. Cloud man recovering from COVID-19 at home

Cooley Riley is one of more than 5,000 Minnesotans to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 but his absence was and continues to be felt by his community.

'Freedom Fighters' look to shed 'scary' image, solidify role in the community

As the unrest following the police killing of George Floyd enters a new phase, an armed group that protected businesses and protesters is evolving to offer resources to residents — and brotherhood to one another.

Little Earth patrols: Residents take safety into own hands
During the unrest: Armed neighborhood groups form in the absence of police protection

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