Good morning. There's ever-shifting news, but here are some ways to help Twin Cities communities reeling from the past week, the latest in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing by police and a COVID-19 update. First, some quick weather. Warmer with some possible storms. Twin Cities highs in the upper 80s with 10 to 15 mph winds. Statewide highs from lower 90s to lower 70s on Lake Superior. More on Updraft | Forecast The unrest following the police killing of George Floyd has left parts of the Twin Cities reeling. Here are some ways to help Minneapolis and St. Paul recover. What follows is not a comprehensive list, but options to pitch in abound. Sewa-Aifw is looking for volunteers to deliver food, clean up and protect the building; 3702 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.Vietnamese Social Services is looking for food and volunteers to help with food delivery to seniors; 277 University Ave. W., St Paul. Pillsbury United Communities needs "ready-to-go" meals, access to groceries; at its multiple locations in the Twin Cities. Division of Indian Work needs food delivery, cleanup and help protecting the building. They receive food donations from Cub Foods and Target, which were lost in the fires; 1001 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.Lake Street Council has organized an online fundraiser to help small businesses and nonprofits rebuild. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Midway needs blankets, fresh produce, single-serve coffee packets, baby supplies and paper bags or reusable grocery bags for transporting these products; 436 Roy St. N., St. Paul. A group of community members on Saturday delivered supplies and food at Lexington Parkway and Central Avenue in St. Paul. They take donations of items needed, including baby supplies and food, and will continue to distribute donated products at the St. Paul location.The Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America is providing hot meals, fresh produce and other food supplies to all south Minneapolis residents in a parking lot off 30th and Lake streets. They accept on-site food donations and needs diapers, baby formula and feminine products. Midtown Global Market has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to help rebuild and reopen the small businesses in the market and in the neighborhood.The weekend was full of unrest and protest over Floyd's killing. Here's a rundown of some of the major developments. A tanker truck driving at high speeds down Interstate 35W in Minneapolis rammed into a crowd of protesters. There appeared to be no injuries, save for the driver of the truck, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and placed under arrest. Armed white supremacists and other extremists and outsiders used the unrest as an excuse to loot and cause violence.Left with no protection from the police, some Minneapolis residents and business owners had to take security into their own hands. Protests cropped up in cities around the nation and across Minnesota.And as always, follow MPRnews.org for the latest information.
Attorney General Keith Ellison will take a lead role in prosecuting the case in the killing of George Floyd. Last week, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman charged former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin with murder and manslaughter. The three other officers at the scene, who were also fired, haven't been charged. Ellison last night wouldn't say "what the charges will be, but added this: “I want to let you know that we are pursuing justice. We are pursuing truth … and we’re pursuing accountability.”
On the COVID-19 front, restaurants and bars can open for limited outdoor service starting today. It's part of phase two of Gov. Tim Walz's "stay safe" order, which also allows businesses like salons and tattoo parlors to reopen at 25 percent capacity. On top of the reopenings, health officials are watching for a separate potential surge in cases from the protests over Floyd's killing. Here are the latest coronavirus statistics:24,850 cases confirmed via 249,519 tests 1,040 deaths 3,047 cases requiring hospitalization 555 people remain hospitalized; 257 in intensive care 18,695 patients no longer needing isolation — Cody Nelson and the rest of the MPR News staff | @codyleenelson | 