MPR News PM Update
 
Good morning,

Hopefully you were able to enjoy a warm, long-weekend. It'll be a little bit cooler and windy today, gusts that are likely to top 30 mph at times.

Here's a look at the latest news and some stories you may have missed over the long weekend.
University of Minnesota students pack into the Coffman Memorial Union on Friday. Students are returning to campus with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and less restrictive policies around classroom sizes and indoor activities. Peter Cox | MPR News
Minnesota colleges' prerequisite: COVID vaccinations for students
Many Minnesota college students are now required to get a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus this fall.

"I think it's probably the most simple measure they could take to protect the student body. I mean, other than the mass mandate, vaccines are proven effective,” said Cal Smithberg, a junior at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus. “They're proven to lower case rates. It seems like it's the least they could do."

With the precaution to social distance suspended, vaccinations will be a necessary added layer of protection.

U of M students have until Oct. 8 to get vaccinated, unless they have a medical or religious exemption. The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul mandated COVID vaccinations on Aug. 2.

The state's largest college and university system, Minnesota State, has adopted a less restrictive policy. All students who live on campus or participate in NCAA sports must get vaccinated or agree to weekly tests.

Read the full report by Peter Cox.
 
Precipitation and cooler temperatures lent a helping hand to crews continuing to fight wildfires in northeastern Minnesota.

As of Sunday, the Greenwood Fire near Isabella was 37 percent contained. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Tina Smith and Gov. Tim Walz visited crews working near the town to thank them for their work.

Klobuchar said she spoke to the head of the Superior National Forest about preventing future fires.

“The other thing is that Sen. Smith and I are going back to Washington, and on the agenda will be something called the reconciliation bill, which at this point includes over $40 billion for fire and forest management,” she said.

Meanwhile, the smaller John Ek Fire and Whelp Fire were still at 0 percent contained as of a Monday morning report.

Read more here.
 
What else we're watching
The transition into an empty nest: 
MPR News host Angela Davis dropped her kids off at college last month, and now she and her husband are empty nesters . Are you an empty nester? What are your plans? She’s open to advice, stories or even friendly commiseration. Leave a comment or call 651-227-6000 during the show's new time: 9 a.m.

Minnesota parents seek mask mandate:
A group of parents of students at Minnesota K-12 schools that have not implemented mask mandates are suing the state, asking the court to order Gov. Tim Walz to enact a statewide mask mandate for schools amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Bear sightings on the rise:
Due to the drought encompassing much of Minnesota this year, natural food sources are harder to find. Bear sightings have been common across the state, as the opportunistic creatures take advantage of backyard bird feeders and other readily available food sources.

More COVID testing sites:
Rising COVID case counts in recent weeks are bringing more demand for testing. The state will open a COVID testing site at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Wednesday, and another at the former YMCA in Lino Lakes on Sept. 13.
– Sara Porter, MPR News
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