March 19, 2020
Storm fades tonight. Colder temps for the weekend. A winter weather advisory remains in effect in far southeastern Minnesota until early Friday morning. As temps drop in the evening, rain in southeastern Minnesota will turn into snow. Strong wind gusts continue to blow in central Minnesota tonight. The storm will move out of Minnesota by Friday morning, but the entire state will be noticeably colder. COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 89 cases confirmed, the virus spreads to north-central Minnesota. Wadena County reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case today. Nineteen Minnesota counties now have confirmed coronavirus cases. One week ago, there were nine confirmed cases in just three counties. No nonessential, elective surgeries, Gov. Walz orders. The executive order is effective starting Monday and will last indefinitely. Critical surgeries to save a life, preserve organ function or deal with diseases like cancer will be an exception. Sick of binge-watching Netflix? You can enjoy shows, artwork by Minnesotans -- at home. Although many shows and performances have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, there are podcasts, radio shows, artist groups on social media and more to enjoy while sitting on your couch. Check out what Art Hounds recommend this week in a time of social distancing. Many people have lost work during the pandemic, but some businesses are still hiring. Is your business currently hiring? Or have you seen new listings while searching for jobs? Tell us via this survey as we continue to track economic impacts. — Jiwon Choi and Sara Porter, MPR News | 