Good morning! It’s the Spring Member Drive here at MPR News. All the headlines, analysis, community conversation, and storytelling that you find here is made possible because of member support. Donate today to keep the news that nearly one million Minnesotans rely on free of barriers and accessible to all. Donate today.
A frosty start to the day, mild and sunny afternoon. A frost advisory is in effect for most of southern Minnesota until 8 a.m. today. Temps will bounce back into the mid-50s to 60s later today. It'll stay mostly sunny but there's a chance of spotty showers in parts of Minnesota. Get the latest from Updraft. Today, Gov. Tim Walz lays out “a timeline to end all COVID-19 restrictions in Minnesota." The changes won’t necessarily take effect right away, but the plan will serve notice that pandemic restrictions are nearing an end. He’s set to explain the reasons for the steps he’s taking during an address at noon Thursday. 📺Here's how to catch the governor's announcement live today: Another COVID-19 landmark from this week: 2 million Minnesotans are now fully vaccinated. The state has just topped the 2 million mark -- that's about 46 percent of eligible people age 16 and over. At the same time, however, vaccinations are also slowing remarkably. Despite stable supplies, first doses administered fell to about 9,700 in the latest data. That is only about a third of the average over the last four Wednesdays. Here are Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 statistics:
- 7,191 deaths (17 new)
- 582,576 positive cases; 97 percent off isolation
- 58.9 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose; 45.5 percent completely vaccinated
Where a piece of plastic waste turns into whatever you can imagine. A unique new space in Fergus Falls lets artists and entrepreneurs experiment with turning plastic waste into nearly anything they can imagine — from baskets to jewelries to a pink Napoleon figure. County officials hope the space will spark creative ideas — and educate more people about recycling. Justin Sutherland, a prominent Twin Cities chef, says a social media post's claim that he's refusing service to police officers is baseless, not true. Sutherland told MPR News that while he did voice his frustration about the police killing of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, law enforcement is always welcome at his establishments. "My 100 percent goal, especially moving forward, is healing that relationship,. We always support good police officers," he said. Yes, it has been quite a year, and many of us are tired and worn down. There's a term for it -- we're languishing. At 11 a.m. today, host Angela Davis talks to a researcher and therapist about the cumulative toll of the pandemic, racial unrest and other stresses of the year. Many people feel worn down and unfocused. Mental health experts have a name for it — languishing. Are you feeling unfocused and unmotivated these days? What helps you regain a sense of purpose and hope? Call us at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828 during the 11 a.m. hour or tweet @AngelaDavisMPR to join the conversation. 🎧 Here is what's on MPR News today. — Jiwon Choi, MPR News | Find me on Twitter @ChoiGEE1 | 
