Jury selection is 1st battleground as Chauvin trial begins

Welcome to a new week. Here are top headlines to start your Monday with.

April-like warmth continues: We are getting another day with the 60s. Highs today will range from the upper 40s up north to the mid-60s in southern Minnesota. With high pressure nearby, winds will be much lighter on Monday. Get the latest forecast via Updraft.

The Derek Chauvin trial begins today with jury selection. Here's what to expect today and in the days forward during the trial.

The goal of jury selection is to whittle the pool of potential jurors to a group that can fairly assess the charges against a defendant. Jurors will be tasked with deciding whether the state has proven their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Jury selection could last up to three weeks and the final jury will consist of 12 members and up to four alternate jurors.

Here are ways to follow today's Chauvin trial coverage on MPR News:

Watch the livestream of the trial on MPR News' Facebook

Follow MPR News reporters Brandt Williams and Jon Collins on Twitter for the latest trial news.

Listen to MPR News as we report on major developments in the trial on Morning Edition and All Things Considered and via newscasts throughout the day.

On the eve of the Chauvin trial, hundreds remember George Floyd, call for justice during the "I Can't Breathe" silent march.

The marchers called for justice for Floyd as they gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center where the trial will take place. Some carried a symbolic casket. Others held a scroll listing the names of people who have died in encounters with police.

We had more vaccination milestones over the weekend: 1 million Minnesotans have received at least one COVID shot; 10 percent of the state's population has completed vaccinations.

State officials' goal to give at least one COVID-19 dose to 70 percent of the age 65 and older population by the end of March could be achieved earlier, which would accelerate the timeline for when all Minnesotans can get a shot.

As vaccinations continue, there has been a slight uptick in newly confirmed cases in recent days. Averaged over the past week, Sunday’s update showed Minnesota is seeing about 786 new cases each day.

Here are Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 statistics:

COVID vaccinations take center stage in long-standing program to address Minnesota's health care inequities.

For 15 years, an M Health Fairview program has worked to address inequities in health care. That effort is now focused on getting the COVID-19 vaccine to communities that have often not had equal access to health care. So far they have held or plan to hold more than 60 vaccination events to serve different communities across the Twin Cities, including one that took place on Friday in a Vietnamese American community in the metro area.

House Democrats are expected to pass the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package tomorrow.

The Senate voted to approve the plan on Saturday, with all Democrats voting in support of the measure — and all Republicans opposed. The colossal package would bring a new round of payments to Americans still battling against the pandemic's economic impacts, and it includes an extension of supplemental unemployment benefits through Sept. 6.

In their interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and Meghan painted a deeply unflattering picture of life inside the royal household.

The couple said they encountered racist attitudes and a lack of support that drove the duchess to thoughts of suicide. Meghan said she sought help through the palace's human resources department, but was told there was nothing they could do.

On International Women’s Day, a conversation on how Minnesota's women entrepreneurs are faring in the pandemic’s economic wake.At 11 a.m., host Angela Davis talks with the new CEO of WomenVenture, a Minneapolis-based organization that supports women entrepreneurs, about the effect of the pandemic on woman-owned businesses. Are you a woman and a business owner? How has your business been affected by the pandemic? Share your story with us by calling 651-227-6000 or tweeting @AngelaDavisMPR during the live show this morning.

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News | Find me on Twitter @ChoiGEE1