Minnesota's vaccination pool won't expand, for a while

Happy Thursday! Here are top news stories to start your day with:

We're keeping our weather winning strike going today. It'll be mostly sunny with highs in the 30s for most of Minnesota. More good weather news? The darkest four winter months are behind us as we are gaining 3 more minutes of daylight per day. Get the latest on Updraft.

Minnesota's vaccination focus will stay on people age 65 and older for a while.

That's according to Gov. Tim Walz's office who said last night that the state wouldn't pivot to the next phase of vaccine distribution until more than 70 percent of the state's 65-plus population has either gotten a vaccine or turned it down. Minnesota health officials are expecting to reach that goal by the end of next month.

Walz will lay out more details on the state's vaccination outlook during a news conference at 12:15 p.m. Tune into MPR News for the live special coverage this afternoon.

Have kids going back to school or youth sports? Get tested for COVID every two weeks, health officials urge Minnesota parents.

Here are Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 statistics:

FDA advisers today discuss whether to recommend Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use.

The long-anticipated single-dose vaccine is about 66 percent effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19, and doesn't require extremely low shipping and storage temperatures as for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. After today's panel assessment, the FDA will likely make a final decision within days, potentially by this weekend.

Another toll of the Capitol riot: It will cost $30 million or more to repair damages to the building and beef up security.

The cost of repairing or replacing historic items damaged in the Jan. 6 riot "will be considerable," Architect of the Capitol J. Brett told lawmakers Wednesday. Other costs include maintaining a security fence topped with concertina razor wire, which surrounds the Capitol grounds.

At the Minnesota Capitol, there's a debate over whether to require grade schools to provide comprehensive sexual health programs for students.

Legislation is moving in the state House that would establish a sex education requirement in elementary and secondary grades. Some Republican lawmakers, however, are strongly opposed and say sex education — especially for younger students — should be left up to parents. One GOP state lawmaker says he's concerned that teaching sex ed to young teenagers going through puberty might be "extremely damaging and destroy their God-given characteristic of modesty,"

ICYMI: How can we help members of our community who are ready for the next chapter of life after incarceration?

Minnesota has seen fewer people sent back to prison within three years after being released, but challenges still remain for those formerly incarcerated when it comes to finding housing and searching for jobs. As part of our on-going In Focus series, we hosted a community conversation on challenges faced by formerly incarcerated Minnesotans and ways to become a more welcoming state. Listen to that discussion at 11 a.m. on MPR News with Angela Davis, or watch it here.

And let's continue the conversation: Join our In Focus Facebook group to ask your questions and help us report on disparities in Minnesota.

Some entertainment recommendations for your weekend: Explore artworks by local artists online, or how about an performance combining stand-up comedy and magic you can enjoy at home?

This week's Art Hounds recommend abstract landscapes created by a Twin Cities artist with the help of his feet, a new stand-up comedy special with magic, and a North Mankato artist’s detailed designs. Find more on today's Art Hounds.

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