May 18, 2020
Temps finally warming for southern Minn. Folks in the southern half of the state can look forward to the comeback of temps in the 70s by Tuesday. Meanwhile, because of ongoing dry conditions along with winds gusting over 40 mph near Duluth, a Red Flag Warning was issued for portions of the Arrowhead on Monday. Read more on the latest Updraft blog. Latest on COVID-19 in MN: 731 dead; life curbs loosen, risk remains. Minnesota’s COVID-19 toll climbed again. The state Health Department reported 731 Minnesotans have died from the disease, up 9 from Sunday; 488 people are currently hospitalized, with 229 in intensive care, counts that have stayed roughly stable over the past few days. Minnesota’s top health official implored residents to wear masks outdoors and keep their distance from others as the state loosens restrictions on daily life driven by COVID-19. Retail stores across the state start to reopen, cautiously. As of Monday, nonessential retailers in Minnesota with a coronavirus safety plan were allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity. But some stores are taking time prepare. Businesses that are planning to reopen are struggling not only with the virus, but with bringing back staff who may have been laid off or replacing inventory that’s expired since the governor issued the order to close most nonessential businesses, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon said. Session over, but lawmakers are already preparing to come back. Left undone was one of the top priorities, a package of public works construction projects funded by the sale of state bonds commonly known around the Capitol as the bonding bill. But Gov. Walz said he got some of the things he wanted, including an affordable insulin program and raising the age to buy tobacco to 21.
— Sara Porter, MPR News | 