MPR News PM Update
July 15, 2020

Delightful summer day tomorrow. Clear, sunny skies with not-too-hot temperatures -- Thursday will be “that summer day we were dreaming of during the winter.” Mostly sunny tomorrow and highs will be in the 80s across Minnesota.

Struggle, distress: Police bodycam documents Floyd’s last moments. In the police bodycam video, made available to the public for the first time today, George Floyd tells officers that he’s claustrophobic, and pleads with them not to put him in the back of a squad car, as they tried to force him into their vehicle. The video shows Floyd saying he can’t breathe even before he was being knelt on. Read more  here

Floyd’s family files a civil lawsuit against Minneapolis, 4 ex-cops to “make it financially prohibitive for police to wrongfully kill marginalized people.” The lawsuit alleges that the ex-officers violated Floyd's rights when they restrained him and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. It also asks for a receiver to be appointed to ensure that the city properly trains and supervises officers in the future.

COVID-19 today: Minnesota is “not in the best shape,” officials warn as rapid new case increase continues. State health officials on Wednesday reported 578 new confirmed cases -- continuing the upward trend of new case numbers since mid-June. “Other states and other countries are doing better than us. That should be an inspiration for us to try to work harder,”  says state epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield. 

Following Best Buy and Starbucks, Walmart goes mask-mandatory. The nation’s largest retailer says it’ll require customers to wear a mask at all of its namesake and Sam's Club stores starting Monday. Given Walmart’s clout, its decision is expected to push others to issue similar mandates.

Enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire at the end of the month. Are you making plans to return to work? We want to hear your story. Send an email to mzdechlik@mpr.org to share your experience and inform our reporting.

-- Jiwon Choi, MPR News  | @ChoiGEE1
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COVID-19 in MN: 'Worrisome point' as new cases climb
State health leaders on Wednesday emphasized personal responsibility in helping slow the epidemic here, and cautioned that the recent rapid increase in new cases will lead to more deaths.

Statewide: Duluth joins growing list of Minnesota cities to require masks
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MSU Mankato reviews criminal justice program
After the death of George Floyd and growing calls for police accountability, Minnesota State University, Mankato — home to the state’s largest four-year law enforcement training program — is taking a hard look at how it trains future officers.  
 
Trump looks to curb landmark environmental act
President Donald Trump announce changes Wednesday to the National Environmental Policy Act's regulations for how and when authorities must conduct environmental reviews, making it easier to build highways, pipelines, chemical plants and other projects.
 
White House strips CDC of data collection role
The Trump administration is directing hospitals to use a new platform to report COVID-19 data, instead of an existing system at The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
Report: Elementary schools should try to reopen
The National Academy of Sciences report includes an updated review of the evidence from around the world and a set of recommendations on mitigation strategies for the coronavirus in school settings.
 
MN Supreme Court partially reverses appeals court on White Bear Lake water levels
The Minnesota Supreme Court has partially ruled in favor of homeowners who sued the Department of Natural Resources over water levels on White Bear Lake.
 

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