Good morning and welcome to Friday. A cold front sweeps into the state today, but it's expected to just drop temperatures a few degrees closer to average through this weekend. And another warm front slides in Sunday with highs for next week expected to be in the 40s — maybe even 50s! Find out more from Updraft.
When it comes to deaths tied to COVID-19, November was a brutal month and December isn't looking any better.
The Health Department reported 92 more deaths tied to the disease on Thursday. The three highest daily death counts in the pandemic have all come in the prior seven days — with nearly 200 deaths were reported in the first three days.
Here are Minnesota’s current COVID-19 statistics:
- 3,784 deaths (92 new)
- 333,626 positive cases, 290,019 off isolation (6,166 new)
- 4.4 million tests, 2.6 million people tested (about 45 percent of the population)
- 11.6 percent seven-day positive test rate (officials find 5 percent or more concerning)
While hospitalizations remained high, new admissions decreased somewhat from Tuesday’s record seven-day average.
Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials urged Minnesotans in need of housing assistance to apply by Monday deadline.
This summer, the Walz administration directed $100 million of federal aid to a housing program to help people in financial distress pay their mortgage, rent and utilities. As of this week, about $30 million remains, but there’s a Dec. 7 deadline to apply.
"We know that Minneapolis must be a safe place for residents, workers and visitors. At the same time, we recognize the policing in our city should be more just, equitable and effective,” said Jonathan Weinhagen, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. “The conversation around public safety should not be one that is either — or."
Council members will meet again Friday to continue its budget discussions and may need until later Monday to finish.
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-- Sara Porter, MPR News | 
