Feb. 27, 2020

We’re getting closer to the weekend thaw. Tomorrow will be cold, but a bit warmer than today, with highs around the upper 20s in the Twin Cities. Then, a big temp swing comes this weekend. We will see highs in the mid-40s two weekends in a row in parts of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

Officials say no backlog for COVID-19 testing, but the first U.S. community-spread case’s diagnosis delayed for days. Health officials have identified what could be the first U.S. COVID-19 case in California with no history of travel to affected areas or exposure to someone who’s known to have the illness already. Officials say the CDC is streamlining the process it uses to test for the coronavirus across the country. The agency has so far completed more than 3,600 coronavirus tests.

Got enough food, medicine, cleaning supplies at home? Things to consider when preparing for a potential outbreak. Minnesota health officials and the CDC are telling people that they should be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community. But where should you start? Should I stock up on food and meds? Are special cleaning supplies needed? What about face masks? Here’s a guide to how to prepare your house for coronavirus.

What questions do you have about the new coronavirus outbreak? Let us know here!

4 in 10 American adults are obese. And nearly 1 in 10 adults is severely obese -- 10 times more common than a century ago. That’s according to the findings from a government survey of 5,000 adults in the U.S. A person who is 5 foot 4 is considered obese at 174 pounds and 5 foot 9 at 203 pounds.

Can you believe what you see online? Join us to fight fake news this election year. MPR News’ initiative Can You Believe It? has launched a set of toolkits that help you identify false news and fight bots, deepfakes and other attempts to spread disinformation. From how to vet a news source to how to spot “deepfake” videos, arm yourself to fight disinformation with the toolkits here.

What are you seeing on your social media? Anything seems too fishy or fake to believe? Share it with us here!

Were you following along with the Minnesota Made Matchup? We have a winner! And stay tuned, we’ll have more contests that let you express your Minnesota pride coming soon.

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News

Officials say Minnesota schools need to make plans for a COVID-19 outbreak

As Minnesota school officials scramble to comply with federal and state guidance to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak, some say their experience with extreme weather gives them an advantage.

CDC says: It has fixed issue delaying coronavirus testing in U.S., health officials say
A guide: How to prepare your home for coronavirus
Amid global coronavirus outbreak: Cargill halts employees' international travel

Dow falls another 1100+ points; stocks now in correction territory

Stocks continued their downward slide on Thursday, with major indexes falling 10 percent below their recent peaks. Investors worry about the economic toll of a widening coronavirus epidemic.

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MPCA issues draft permits for Enbridge’s Line 3 project

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued three draft permits this week that are needed to build the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, marking another step in Enbridge Energy’s five-year effort to build the controversial pipeline across northern Minnesota.

Milwaukee police search house in wake of brewery shooting

Police are searching a home on Milwaukee's north side as they hunt for clues about why an employee at one of the nation's largest breweries gunned down five co-workers before killing himself. A neighbor says the man who lives in the house has worked at the brewery for 15 years as an electrician.

Police: Gunman killed 5 at at Milwaukee brewery complex

Voter ID bill clears Minnesota Senate panel

Supporters of the voter ID bill are trying to do legislatively what they failed to accomplish in 2012 as a constitutional amendment. Voters that year rejected the proposal by 139,128 votes.

Minnesota projected budget surplus grows slightly to $1.5B

A new economic forecast will give state lawmakers more breathing room on tax cuts and spending. Gov. Tim Walz has proposed a range of new spending, but he’s also urged legislators to beef up reserves to guard against an economic dip.

MN Senate GOP plan: Tax cuts for all, initially using budget surplus
March 2019: Walz scales back budget plan after surplus shrinks

Twin Cities janitors to strike for 24 hours starting Thursday afternoon

Janitors and their supporters are planning to rally in downtown Minneapolis Thursday evening, calling for better wages, paid sick time and an environmentally friendly cleaning program.

MPR News/Star Tribune poll: Young Minnesotans worry about health care, climate

A new MPR News/Star Tribune Minnesota Poll shows that 45 percent of Minnesotans aged 18 to 34 don’t think their generation is better off than their parents, and 52 percent said people like them don’t have access to quality, affordable health care.

Refugee resettlement: Most Minnesotans open to refugees
Walz performance: 56 percent give governor thumbs up
President Trump: 44 percent job approval

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