What you need to know about Minnesota's statewide mask mandate

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - What you need to know about Minnesota's statewide mask mandate: [The new rules take effect Saturday]( and apply to most indoor spaces outside people's homes, as well as some outdoor venues where social distancing is difficult. [Here's what you need to know]( about the mask mandate. [Another 763 COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths]( were reported Thursday in Minnesota, where the new mask-wearing rules could take at least three weeks to show any change in the course of the pandemic. - Fired Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, wife charged with felony tax crimes: The fired Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd was charged along with his wife Wednesday with [felony tax crimes dating back to 2014]( that allege failure to claim more than $460,000 in income — at least $96,000 of that in his off-duty security work. - Walz signs police accountability bill: Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a sweeping package of police accountability measures Thursday, making Minnesota [the latest state to adopt changes to law enforcement]( in the wake of George Floyd's death. - White House's $21M contract for Pepcid as a COVID remedy under scrutiny: A government whistleblower accused a senior administration official of [rushing the deal through without the scientific oversight necessary]( for such a large federal award. And the doctors who initially promoted the Pepcid idea are locked in a battle for credit and sniping over allegations of scientific misconduct. - Judge orders ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen released from prison: A judge [ordered the release from prison]( of President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer on Thursday, saying he believes the government retaliated against him for writing a book about Trump. - Portland mayor tear gassed by federal agents: The mayor of Portland, Ore., was [tear gassed by the U.S. government]( late Wednesday as he stood at a fence guarding a federal courthouse during another night of protest against the presence of federal agents sent by President Donald Trump to quell unrest in the city. - Minneapolis City Council drops idea of using police money for citizen patrols: After residents and reporters contacted city officials seeking details about the proposal, [the council walked it back.]( - Man who drowned trying to save friend in Lake Minnetonka was Hai Hai sous chef: Deveric “DJ” Stokes Jr., of St. Paul, was identified by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office as [the man who went in the water]( with two women to help another woman early in the evening of July 16 who fell from their pontoon and was struggling to stay afloat.  Watch this Enormous lightning bolt strikes just behind Statue of Liberty: Michael Calabrese was aboard a Lady Liberty cruise ship in New York Harbor yesterday when he captured [this incredible lightning strike]( as a storm rolled in.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Now you can invite an actual bird of prey to join your next Zoom meeting: For a $75 fee, [workplaces can request an eagle](, and for $50, can invite a hawk, falcon, vulture or owl to join the first 15 minutes of their meeting, thanks to the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. - Chef's one-man show brings Caribbean cuisine to Lake Superior: It took an escalating series of tragedies to [bring Jamrock Cultural Restaurant to life.]( - Guthrie-commissioned play by Pulitzer winner will make its Broadway debut in 2021: A Lynn Nottage play that had its world premiere at the Guthrie Theater last summer [has a date with Broadway.](  Sports roundup - Never too soon to panic over Twins' pitching: Jake Odorizzi was a savior for the Twins' starting staff in 2019. He'll start the 2020 season sidelined by a sore back, and some of the others in the rotation [aren't exactly inspiring confidence](, writes Patrick Reusse. - Wilfs were approached, but aren't interested in owning Wolves, Lynx: Wolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor had reached out to gauge the Wilfs' interest in his teams, and the sides had some dialogue, [but it hasn't continued.]( - Vikings, Zimmer agree on multiyear contract extension: Coach Mike Zimmer, who was entering the final year of his deal, [was rewarded with a new contract]( Wednesday afternoon, a league source confirmed, a day before the team’s first group of players are scheduled to report for training camp. The terms were not immediately available.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Worth a click Where Americans can vote by mail in the fall: At least 76% of U.S. voters will be able to cast votes by mail in the November election. The Washington Post put together [this guide to the rules for voting by mail]( in each state.  From the archives July 23, 1967: Gary Flansberg tried to maintain his balance as he walked the giant hawser that secured a towboat to the pier at a barge dock in Stillwater. (Photo: 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.](