MPR News PM Update

Feb. 10, 2022

The Minnesota Hospital Association says although daily COVID case numbers in the
state are trending downward, health systems remain "extremely stressed."

The organization is calling the reduction in the number of COVID hospitalizations "modest" and says it is "feverishly hoping" new case numbers continue their downward trend.

Health care providers are still struggling to serve patients and communities, the association says, and staffing shortages are the primary reason hospital and health
system capacity are challenged.

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Minneapolis, St. Paul end vaccination-or-test order for bars, eateries
The cities last month began requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to enter public places serving food and drink. With the current surge waning, the mayors rescinded the controversial orders. Public masking mandates remain in place. 
 
Osterholm: COVID conditions better, but virus 'not done with us'
The latest surge is ebbing, but the lack of trust around public health may bring a future crisis, Michael Osterholm tells MPR News. “A public health mandate only works if people are willing to do it, and what you’re seeing is a general rebellion right now against this.”
 
Police reform will get another look by Minneapolis City Council
Council member Elliott Payne wants to create a new department of public safety. But this time, he wants to keep MPD in place and not put the measure to a public vote. 
 
Locke killing: Cops told judge no-knock warrant needed amid safety fears
Search warrants unsealed Thursday tied to the police shooting of Amir Locke say police asked a judge to let them enter a downtown Minneapolis apartment last week without knocking because officers feared for their safety. Locke was not named in the warrants.
 
POST board chair: No-knock warrants ‘just need to be banned’
No-knock search warrants are under renewed scrutiny following the fatal police shooting of 22-year-old Amir Locke. The chair of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training says this type of search should be prohibited statewide.
 
Family of Amir Locke calls for ban on no-knock warrants
A partial ban on no-knock warrants is not enough to prevent police from killing innocent people, Amir Locke’s parents said Thursday. But leaders in the Minnesota Legislature say there need to be some cases where such warrants are allowed.
 
Weekend forecast: Cold, with a chance of flakes Saturday evening
Your warmest coat will be appropriate this weekend.
 
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Lieutenant: Officers should have intervened in Floyd killing
Former officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are charged with failing to provide medical care to George Floyd in May 2020. Thao and Kueng also are charged with failing to intervene with their colleague Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
 
Judge restores protections for gray wolves across much of U.S.
Their removal in the waning days of former President Donald Trump's administration exposed the predators to hunting that critics said would undermine their rebound from widespread extermination early last century.
 
U.S.-Canada truck blockade extends to North Dakota border
Social media posts show tractors parked on the road south and northbound near the border checkpoint. That's been the case at other checkpoints along the border, where protestors have been calling for an end to Canada's COVID restrictions.
 
Scientists seek funding to look for toxic tire chemical in Minnesota waters
Minnesota scientists are seeking funding to investigate if a toxic chemical from tires is harming popular fish species. Researchers in Washington state have linked the recently discovered chemical in rubber tires to the sudden deaths of coho salmon. 
 
A top researcher says it's time to rethink our entire approach to preschool
A long-term study of a statewide preschool program tracked students through the sixth grade and found those who attended prekindergarten falling behind.
 

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