💉 State expands vaccine eligibility

Happy Tuesday! Here are top local and national headlines you should know today:

Record warmth in the 70s today before rainy Wednesday. Highs likely reach the 70s in the southwest quarter of Minnesota, with 60s pushing across much of the state, making today the warmest day in four months. The wind gusts to 30 mph will make it feel a little cooler, though. It'll get cloudy later in the afternoon. Get the latest on Updraft.

The state is expanding the pool of shot-eligible Minnesotans.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that Minnesota is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to the next two priority groups in anticipation of the state reaching its goal of inoculating at least 70 percent of people 65 and older later this week.

Eligible Minnesotans in the next phase — about 1.8 million people — include people with underlying health conditions and workplace exposure risk, including some 45,000 employees working at Minnesota food processing plants. They'll be able able to get their shots beginning Wednesday.

At 9:30 a.m., Gov. Tim Walz joins Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to discuss the next steps in Minnesota's vaccination plan. You can watch his news conference live on MPRNews.org or via our Facebook page.

Here are Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 statistics:

After putting the process on hold on Day 1, the judge in the Derek Chauvin trial plans to resume jury selection today.

If the state appeals court issues an order related to reinstating a third-degree murder charge, however, the trial process might stall again. The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled that the presiding judge made a mistake in striking the murder charge from the case in October. Prosecutors say with the appeals court ruling pending, the judge doesn't have authority to move ahead and are asking the Court of Appeals for guidance.

Motions from both parties will be considered starting at 8 a.m. and the jury selection process is expected to resume at 9 a.m. You can watch the proceedings live on MPR News Facebook.

For the latest trial news, follow MPR News reporters Brandt Williams and Jon Collins on Twitter.

The first day of Chauvin's trial was an "emotional roller coaster" for George Floyd's family.

Because of COVID-19, only one family member is allowed in court per day from the Floyd family and for the defendant. "My family and I are glad the wait is finally over, his sister, Bridgett Floyd, told the media outside the Hennepin County Courthouse where the trial was taking place Monday. "Our hope is that justice prevails and we can all use this as an opportunity to be better and do better for those around us."

After weekslong debate, the $1.9 trillion COVID aid package is nearing the finish line. Here's what you can expect from the bill.

The House is poised to pass the bill today or tomorrow as congressional leaders hope President Joe Biden to sign the measure before March 14, the date when current enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire. From the direct payments to Americans, to the child tax credit to more PPP loans, here's a closer look at some of the big-ticket provisions in the final version of the bill.

Join the conversation at 11 a.m.: Greater Minnesota’s child care crisis squeezed by the pandemic. Child care providers have been closing in rural Minnesota faster than they can be replaced. This morning, host Angela Davis talks with the author of a new report and the owner of a child care center about how this hurts working families and rural economies. Are you a child care provider or a parent looking for child care in greater Minnesota? Call 651-227-6000 or tweet @AngelaDavisMPR to share your story with us.

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