MPR News PM Update
March 27, 2020

It's March in Minnesota after all. Beautiful scenes along Lake Superior change dramatically this weekend. A powerful storm will whip up Lake Superior into a late March froth and snow is expected to fall in most of northeast Minnesota.


COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 52 new cases, 4 dead, more expected. The new numbers on cases and deaths comes as officials continue to call on Minnesotans to stay home to help slow the disease’s spread. Restaurants remain takeout-only; public school buildings are shuttered now until early May. Walz’s two-week, stay-at-home order kicks in Saturday.

Trump signs historic $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. The legislation signed on Friday is a major bipartisan victory for Congress and marks the largest relief package in American history. The bill includes billions in business loans, along with direct payments to Americans and an expansion of unemployment insurance. What would a check from the government mean to you right now? Tell us your story.

Red Cross alerts donors in Minneapolis of possible coronavirus exposure. The American Red Cross Minnesota said two of its Minneapolis Blood Donation Center employees became ill with coronavirus symptoms and that it has notified 19 donors they may have been exposed to the virus.

Here’s your daily dose of sweetness: Watch how Golden Valley neighbors found a well-spaced walk works wondersOn Thursday night, a group spread out in the street and a yard to sing happy birthday to 8-year-old Lincoln Higgins, who won’t be able to celebrate with friends at a bowling alley as planned.


Are you a new gun owner? We want to hear your storySome gun store owners are seeing a surge in businesses this month. If you’ve recently purchased a gun for the first time  we’d like to hear about why you’ve decided now is the time to get a gun.

— Sara Porter, MPR News


Turn Up Your Support!
 
Latest on COVID-19 in Minnesota: Governor's 2-week stay-home order starts Saturday
Besides working to slow the spread of the virus so it doesn’t overwhelm the health care system, state leaders are trying to confront the economic toll created by tens of thousands of Minnesotans thrown out of work. About 28 percent of working Minnesotans will be temporarily jobless the next couple of weeks.
Tracking the spread: Minnesota and the Upper Midwest
ICU bed capacity varies widely nationwide:  See how your county stacks up
Working from home: With COVID-19, desire for fast internet connections accelerates
 
Musicians move their shows online, but it's not a living
In the days since Minnesota bars and concert halls and other performance venues were ordered to close, many artists have moved their shows online. They offer livestreamed house concerts, pop-up performances and other opportunities for people to enjoy their talent via the internet.
 
SPONSOR

 
 
One of first Minnesotans with COVID-19 describes experience, urges people to 'take this seriously'
One of the first Minnesotans to publicly acknowledge testing positive for COVID-19 was 20-year-old Jonah Stillman of Excelsior. Stillman, who was in self-quarantine, received word from the Minnesota Department of Health earlier this week that he is in the clear. He joined MPR News host Tom Crann to talk about the experience.
 
From Louis Erdrich to Kurt Vonnegut, a reading list for social distancing
In a time of change and turmoil, many listeners are turning to books for entertainment and comfort. Listeners and book experts nominated their favorites during a recent conversation on MPR News with Kerri Miller. | Find more book recommendations on The Thread
 
Thinking of heading to a cabin to wait out the coronavirus? Here are a few things to consider
With the state under a two-week stay-at-home order starting at midnight Friday, people who are working from home, feeling cooped up or just looking for a peaceful refuge to wait out the COVID-19 outbreak might be thinking of packing up and heading out of town for the next few weeks. Not so fast, say state officials.
 
States and stores are banning reusable bags during COVID-19 pandemic. Is it safe to use them?
A recent study that found the disease can live on hard surfaces like plastic or stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours. But the study did not specifically look at reusable bags — leaving shoppers wondering what to do.
 
Photos: Quiet spaces in the time of coronavirus
In a time of social distancing and self isolation, spaces that normally would be filled with people and the sounds of activity sit empty and quiet.
 

Preference CenterUnsubscribe

This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101