July 7, 2020
A couple of severe storms possible tonight and tomorrow. Forecast models suggest two likely storm waves across the Upper Midwest tonight and Wednesday. The stronger storms may pack damaging winds and large hail.The first wave fires across western North Dakota tonight, then races east into the Red River Valley and northern Minnesota early Wednesday morning. The severe risk is highest in these areas through the morning. Then the risk for severe storms shifts to central and eastern Minnesota Wednesday afternoon and evening. Gov. Tim Walz set to call a special session for Monday. The legislative session will be triggered by an extension of the peacetime authority Walz has used to manage Minnesota’s COVID-19 response. Lawmakers can revoke the executive power of the Democratic governor if both chambers vote to do so. That outcome is unlikely with DFLers in charge of the House. COVID-19 in Minnesota today: Death count continues to ebb. With three deaths reported Tuesday, the state remains on a two-week trend of days with deaths mostly in single digits. Intensive care cases (121) remained relatively flat at late-April levels even as overall current hospitalizations (267) rose from Monday. Hospitalizations that do not require intensive care have trended up the past two days. The newest counts come as Rochester, Mankato and Winona all announced they will require mask-wearing in public indoor spaces. More mask questions, answered! This time, Dr. Jon Hallberg joined MPR News host Tom Crann to answer a few medical questions regarding wearing face coverings. Have a question of your own? Share it with us here and we’ll try to track down the answer. Are you a COVID-19 survivor? What was the experience like? What helped during your recovery? Share your story with us here.
~Matt Mikus, MPR News | 