Amid mounting death toll, Minnesota officials scramble to find safe places for seniors

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Amid mounting death toll, Minnesota officials scramble to find safe places for seniors: As the deadly coronavirus continues its rampage through Minnesota nursing homes, public health officials are facing a fresh dilemma – [where to care for surging numbers of sickened patients]( without spreading the virus. - Business disruptions in Minnesota could last 18 months, Walz says: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz warned Monday that social distancing practices brought on by the growing COVID-19 epidemic are likely to [disrupt business in the state for a year or more]( no matter when his administration lifts its contested stay-at-home orders. - Trump vows to "suspend immigration" into U.S.: President Donald Trump said that [he will sign an executive order]( “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus. He offered no details about which immigration programs might be affected by the order. - Schumer says deal reached on $500B aid, Trump tweets support: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday agreement has been reached on major elements of [a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses](, including additional help for hospitals and virus testing. A Tuesday afternoon Senate session could provide an opportunity to quickly vote if the final deal comes together. - Fairview plans new COVID-19 units in Edina, St. Paul hospitals: The expansion plan, announced Tuesday morning, comes as Fairview’s Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul is [nearing its 90-bed capacity for COVID-19 patients.]( - Hibbing Taconite laying off 650 workers as it idles Iron Range operations: Hibtac is [the third taconite mine and pelletizing plant]( on Minnesota’s Iron Range to announce a closure. - Demand for eggs shifted, and 61,000 chickens were euthanized in Minnesota: The sudden drop in demand for food at restaurants, school cafeterias and caterers shut down by the pandemic has ripped through farming. Milk has been dumped, eggs smashed and ripe lettuce plowed under. Now, [farms are killing animals sooner than planned.]( - FDA warns against use of unproven COVID-19 antibody tests: Amid questions about testing accuracy, the Food and Drug Administration continues to [warn doctors and the public against using antibody tests]( to definitively diagnose a past COVID-19 case. - Librarians recruited for mask-making in St. Paul: With St. Paul Public Libraries branches closed due to COVID-19, library staffers have been [redeployed as garment workers]( to help with the city’s pandemic response. About two dozen employees have volunteered to sew 2,000 masks for city employees by Wednesday.  Watch this Gymnast pulls off a standing double-backflip on grass: As the gymnast, Kaleb Cave, points out, his knee briefly touched the ground [but it's still very impressive.](  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Uptown Theatre may be closed, but its marquee keeps delivering the jokes: Even shuttered, [the Uptown Theatre continues to reflect its quirky community]( via its marquee. - What should we do? Decision fatigue has become a symptom of the pandemic. Because of the pandemic, duress has become a daily companion for many people. And as social scientists will tell you, an agitated state is [not the best moment to make decisions.]( - Walker Art Center hosts a live conversation across three continents: [Curator Vincenzo de Bellis spoke with two artists]( from the big exhibition "The Paradox of Stillness" that was supposed to open last weekend, but was postponed until spring 2021.  Sports roundup - After messy exits, would Vikings try another Diggs (or Moss or Winfield)? [The most intriguing Vikings subplot]( in this week’s NFL draft involves a familiar name (or two or three), including the defensive back brother of Stefon Diggs. - Walz gives bleak assessment of chances for spring prep sports: Those holding onto hope for a start-up of spring sports received no assurances, only sympathies, when [Gov. Tim Walz addressed those topics]( during Monday's news conference. - St. Paul Saints's season postponed until at least early July: The American Association said [it will follow government health orders]( in deciding when it is safe to begin play.  Worth a click What it's like to go through Army Ranger School: "The military's toughest training challenges have a lot in common with outdoor sufferfests like the Barkley Marathons and the Leadville Trail 100: you have to be fit and motivated to make the starting line, but your mind and spirit are what carry you to the end. A Ranger graduate breaks down an ordeal that shapes some of the nation's finest soldiers," [Outside magazine reports.](  From the archives April 21, 1980: Merchants on Main Street in Ortonville, Minn., along the South Dakota border, were tightening their belts as skyrocketing interest rates, price instability and bad weather took an economic toll on farmers in the surrounding area. (Photo: Charles Bjorgen/Star Tribune) Connect with Star Tribune [facebook]([twitter]([pinterest]([instagram]( [Manage email preferences]( • [Subscribe to Star Tribune]( • [Privacy Policy]( • [Unsubscribe]( This email was sent by: StarTribune, 650 3rd Ave S, Suite #1300, Minneapolis, MN, 55488 © 2020 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](