Feb. 5, 2021

It's cold, and it's going to get colder. Temperatures in Minnesota were actually around normal for this time of year this morning — but a sustained dip is settling in. Northwestern Minnesota has put in a windchill warning that goes all the way till Tuesday. The bitter cold spell remains in the forecast for the next two weeks. Find the latest from Updraft.

While the hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the state remain about the same, so does the pace of vaccination.

Vaccination counts aren't yet matching levels from last week, suggesting that last week’s vigorous pace may have been the exception, at least so far. Active COVID-19 cases stand at around 9,000 — similar to early October levels and still down significantly from high counts in late November.

Twenty-two more Minnesotans were reported to have died from COVID-19, raising the state's toll to 6,273.

State health officials urge Minnesotans not to attend Super Bowl gatherings this weekend in an effort to keep up any encouraging trends in the data.

You can get more of the latest news, in just a few minutes, via the Minnesota Today podcast. — Tim Nelson | MPR News

'That could have been me': The people Derek Chauvin choked before George Floyd

There were six arrests as far back as 2015 that the Minnesota attorney general’s office sought to introduce, arguing that they showed how Chauvin was using excessive force when he restrained people by their necks or by kneeling on top of them — just as he did in arresting Floyd. Read the full story by The Marshall Project.

Walz targets smoking, vaping with higher taxes

Gov. Tim Walz wants to discourage young people from using nicotine by raising taxes, but Republicans in the Legislature say no matter what the aim, they won’t support higher taxes.

- $52.4B plan Walz budget would hike taxes on highest earners, boost school spending
- From fees to IDs A deep dive into Walz budget

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As she receives first COVID-19 vaccine, 105-year-old recalls the fear of polio

Born in 1915, Carol Robertson lived through the flu epidemic of 1918, the Great Depression and World War II. The survivor of previous worldwide health crises now takes a step to survive the COVID-19 pandemic: The 105-year-old Minnesotan received her first shot this week.

Referee Sarah Thomas to make Super Bowl history

For the first time, a woman will be among the referees working during a Super Bowl. Sarah Thomas is part of a growing number of women officiating at the highest level of men's sports leagues.
- A sexy Alexa, Dan Levy's M&M habit Super Bowl ads to watch

NFL offers all 30 stadiums for use as coronavirus vaccine sites

Each NFL team "will make its stadium available for mass vaccinations of the general public," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to President Biden.

All the home’s a stage: Far-flung actors, crew unite for Theater Mu’s new show

After months of planning and with pandemic restrictions still in place, Theater Mu in St. Paul will launch its mainstage season on Saturday with a new production merging theater and film — a play that’s designed for, and speaks to, the times we’re living in.

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