Will we see more COVID restrictions in MN? Maybe, says Walz

Wintry slushy this weekend. The weekend is expected to bring another round of light rain and snow. By Saturday, much of Minnesota could see the lower 40s again, which is closer to average for mid-November. No significant snow accumulation is currently expected, and rain totals will be light. Sunday highs will be mainly in the 30s and it'll be blustery, with wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph.

The Minneapolis City Council voted today to allow officers from outside law enforcement agencies to help MPD respond to an uptick in crime.

On a 7 to 6 vote the council authorized the city to contract with the Hennepin county Sheriff's Office and the Metro Transit police department at a cost of nearly $500,000. Some of the council members who voted to approve the extra spending for police, had signaled their support for defunding the police.

New curbs on bars, eateries kick in tonight; Walz signals more COVID-19 restrictions coming.

Starting tonight, bars and restaurants will be required to end their in-person service at 10 p.m., though they'll still be allowed to offer takeout and delivery after. Patrons will not be allowed to sit at bars, and standing games such as darts and pool will be limited.

Gov. Tim Walz said the next few weeks and the Thanksgiving holiday will be a critical time for Minnesotans to make wise choices. During today's COVID-19 briefing, he suggested that more restrictions on daily life may be needed as the pandemic continues to rage in Minnesota, with the worst still to come.

Minnesota now has 40,000 known, active COVID-19 cases for the first time.

The Health Department on Friday also reported 5,552 new cases and 46 more deaths — the second-highest ever behind only Wednesday’s record of 56. The seven-day trend of new hospital admissions is also at a record high.