March 12, 2021
We’ll have a mild weekend -- for March. Most of Minnesota will see Saturday highs in the 50s, with a few 40s in far northeastern Minnesota: Sunday highs will reach the lower 50s in the metro area and southeastern Minnesota, with mainly 40s elsewhere. There is a chance of showers in the southwestern part of the state on Sunday. The Minneapolis City Council has approved a $27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd -- the largest misconduct payout in state history. As part of the settlement, $500,000 will go toward the community around 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for about nine minutes as he struggled to breathe. The first week of the Chauvin trial has wrapped up with seven jurors seated for a jury of 12, plus two more. The jury so far is comprised of five men and two women. Jury selection is set to resume Monday morning and opening statements are scheduled for the end of the month. Starting noon Monday, larger group gatherings will be allowed both indoors and outdoors. Here are highlights of Minnesota's newest virus rules. Beginning Monday, up to 50 people can gather for outdoor family gatherings and 15 people indoors . The number for youth sports increases to 50 and religious services will have no limit with social distancing. Occupancy for bars and restaurants increases to 75 percent, with a maximum of 250. Gyms and fitness centers increase to 50-percent. Entertainment venues also increase to 50 percent with a maximum of 250. Seated outdoor venues including Target Field can have up to 10,000 people beginning April first. All of the U of M campuses will resume full in-person instruction in the fall. U of M president Joan Gabel says the latest vaccination projections make the reopening possible after a year of disruption. Those reopening news comes as the state's vaccination pace holds steady. The latest Health Department data shows more than 660,000 Minnesotans — 12 percent of the state’s population — have completed their vaccinations, while more than 1.1 million — about 21 percent — received at least one dose, including more than 71 percent of people age 65 and older. Minnesota reported 13 more deaths today, and just under a thousand confirmed COVID-19 infections. You can get more of the latest news, in just a few minutes, via the Minnesota Today podcast. — Nina Moini | MPR News | 
