March 16, 2020

Sunny + warm = perfect recipe for spring weather tomorrow. Tuesday will likely be the most pleasant day of this week -- with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 40s in southern Minnesota, including the metro area. Later in the evening, sunny skies will turn cloudier, and a mix of snow and freezing rain is possible in central and southern Minnesota Tuesday night.

Updates on COVID-19 in Minnesota: 54 cases confirmed, about 1,900 people tested. Over the weekend, state health officials have identified the first three cases of community transmission. Utilities in the state have announced adjustments to their shutoff policies and the state Legislature is scaling back its operations. Read the latest here.

How to help other Minnesotans during this COVID-19 pandemic. There are 60,000 Minnesota families living on the edge of poverty already, Gov. Tim Walz says, and the pandemic could push more of them into poverty. Here, we list some programs and organizations in Minnesota you can take part in to help others out during the coronavirus outbreak.

Minn. schools closing this Wednesday. How will you manage to work and take care of kids at the same time? Set boundaries for what is work time and what is time for children, be flexible, consider non-routine work time like after children go to bed or before they get up, and try to exercise at home, experts suggest. Here are some resources to help keep your kids learning.

Stay up-to-date on Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 news. Subscribe to our daily podcast, Minnesota Today, to get the latest news on the COVID-19 outbreak in Minnesota -- from the most up-to-date case and test counts to tips on how to work from home and take care of your kids and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News

Walz temporarily closes bars, restaurants, gyms to curb COVID-19 spread

The governor’s latest executive order requires bars, restaurants, gyms, coffee shops, breweries and other venues to close to dine-in guests as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, and lasts until Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m.

Trump: Coronavirus guidance includes avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people
Minnesota Legislature: Scaling back operations amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus symptoms: Defining mild, moderate and severe

Suspect shot at police near Brooklyn Park Walmart, hit by return fire

Police Chief Craig Enevoldsen said Walmart staff called to report suspicious activity by three people inside the store around noon. He said a male fired at two officers when they confronted the group in the parking lot, and both officers fired back.

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As health care workers prepare for COVID-19, medical students pitch in on the homefront

The University of Minnesota medical students may be too early in their education to have the kind of clinical experience needed to treat patients, but they’re stepping up to help doctors and nurses with everything from babysitting to grocery shopping.

No matter what some public officials say, the message you need to hear is 'stay home'

Discordant messages underscore the immense challenges conveying common messages during a public health crisis, one that has happened time and again as the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has swept across the country.

Have you tried to get tested for coronavirus? Tell us about your experience so we can understand what people are being told

As MPR News continues to cover this public health emergency, we’d like to better understand what patients are hearing from doctors and medical authorities when they ask to be tested for the coronavirus. And we need your help.

How to keep kids learning as Minnesota schools remain closed during coronavirus outbreak

Here are some ideas from the MPR News audience and elsewhere for kids to continue learning, but from home, amid school closures during the coronavirus outbreak.

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