Feb. 8, 2021
It’s going to be clear and cold tonight. Lows 15 below to 21 below zero. Tomorrow will be sunny with highs 3 below to 9 below zero up north, to 6 to 9 in the southern half of the state. And the National Weather service said on Twitter Monday more deep cold is on the way. Find the latest from Updraft. Monday marks a month from the start of the Derek Chauvin trial, and the circumstances of what could be one of Minnesota’s most closely watched court cases ever are coming into sharper focus. Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin’s attorney, Eric Nelson, filed a witness list today, naming more than 200 possible testifiers. Among them is Darnella Frazier — the young woman who recorded video of the incident outside Cup Foods on May 25. Also on the list are Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, Dr. Andrew Baker, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, as well as County Attorney Mike Freeman.
Meanwhile, debate continues at the Minnesota Capitol over the state’s role in security during the trial — a concern after riots rocked the Twin Cities in the wake of Floyd’s death last May. Democratic lawmakers say Minneapolis is being treated unfairly in the debate over how to prepare the city.
A proposed $35 million security fund is in limbo. It would help reimburse local law enforcement agencies who assist Minneapolis in managing expected demonstrations. Republicans say it’s a bailout for a city that hasn’t maintained an adequate police force.
DFL Rep. Hodan Hassan of Minneapolis says those characterizations don’t do justice to the situation. “Have compassion and stop demonizing people who have been victims themselves. There has been trauma inflicted in my community over and over and over.”
Prosecutors have charged outside agitators and city residents in the violence and looting that happened after Floyd was killed. Gov. Tim Walz has already activated the National Guard for duty during Chauvin’s trial, the first of two expected in the Floyd case. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 564 newly confirmed or probable cases Monday — the lowest number in nearly five months.
Three reported deaths on Monday raised Minnesota’s toll to 6,302. Among those who’ve died, about 63 percent had been living in long-term care or assisted living facilities; most had underlying health problems.
You can get more of the latest news, in just a few minutes, via the Minnesota Today podcast. — Tim Nelson | MPR News | 