Between riots and COVID, allure of downtown Minneapolis is tested

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Between riots and COVID, allure of downtown Minneapolis is tested: Nearly six months into the pandemic, downtown remains largely empty with at least 85% of the area’s workforce still at home. The throngs that once spilled out of restaurants for lunch and happy hours are gone. The theaters, nightlife and sporting events that lured thousands to visit downtown have largely shut down in recent months — some don’t plan to resume normal activities until next spring. All of that has left fewer eyes on the street and [growing worries about safety in the city’s core.]( - Birx urges Minnesota to buckle down on COVID-19 before winter: Much of the attention to reduce the spread of the virus has been focused on restaurants and public places, but people need to [take the same precautions in their personal and family gatherings](, said Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, during a Sunday visit to St. Paul to meet with state officials. Minnesota on Monday reported only one COVID-19 death in an elderly person from Waseca County — [the lowest one-day total since April 13](. The Minnesota Department of Health on Monday also reported 679 infections with the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. - Bids to demolish riot-damaged buildings stun property owners: Contractors acknowledge that [prices for riot-related work are far higher than usual](, but they said that is because government regulations require them to treat all debris from a burned-out building as hazardous. - Woman killed, 12-year-old among 2 wounded in Bloomington: A woman was shot to death and a girl severely wounded from [late-night gunfire in a Bloomington neighborhood](, where a man was apprehended and jailed, authorities said. - First-year teachers prepare for the challenges of school during pandemic: School districts across Minnesota are [seeking creative ways to support first-year teachers]( as they prepare them for an unprecedented year with additional stresses, from distance learning to COVID-19 precautions in the classroom. - Kenosha on edge as Trump visit looms: Some residents in Kenosha fear a planned visit by President Donald Trump after unrest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake [may stir more emotions and cause more violence and destruction]( in the divided southeastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace. Trump was scheduled to tour the damage Tuesday and meet with law enforcement as demonstrators call for the officer who shot Blake to be fired and face attempted murder charges. The visit comes a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters. - 1 killed as Trump supporters, protesters clash in Portland: A chaotic and volatile 24 hours in Portland began Saturday when a caravan of about 600 vehicles packed with Trump supporters drove through Portland and was met with counterprotesters. Skirmishes broke out between the groups and, about 15 minutes after the caravan left the city, [a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer was fatally shot.]( - Appeals court keeps Flynn case alive: A federal appeals court in Washington on Monday declined to order the dismissal of the Michael Flynn prosecution, [permitting a judge to scrutinize the Justice Department's request]( to dismiss its case against the President Donald Trump's former national security adviser. - Regis salons struggle as customers delay returning to pre-COVID routines: Most salons under Regis Corp. have reopened, but customers [have not returned to their normal routines](. The already struggling Regis faced a spring where most of its salons were forced to close to stem the spread of COVID-19, causing revenue to dive 76% during April, May and June and a $73.6 million loss.  Watch this It's time to vote in our Virtual State Fair Amateur Talent Contest! [Here’s where you can see the best of the entries we received]( in our virtual contest. Vote for your favorite one-minute video on our stage today. But be sure to come back to site on Tuesday and Wednesday because we’ll present a new batch of contestants each day for another round of voting.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Movies are slowly coming back, but can Hollywood and theaters stay in business? Industry veterans say theaters [won't get back to normal any time soon.]( - This northeast Minneapolis takeout spot is making "perfect" tortillas: Nixta chef Gustavo Romero focuses on [the art and science of Mexican cuisine.]( - Geodesic dome home loaded with green tech hits market in Brainerd: The unusual home was a project of the Water Foundation, which invested $1.75 million into [packing the home with 20 conservation technologies](, including solar panels, two geothermal systems and a wind turbine.  Sports roundup - Vikings to acquire Pro Bowl pass rusher Ngakoue from Jaguars: Dating to the days of Jared Allen and Brian Robison, the Vikings enjoyed the luxury of two productive pass rushers on their four-man defensive line for all of the 2010s. They’ll begin the 2020s, it appears, [with two Pro Bowlers under the age of 26.]( - Twins' bad week has greater impact in a shortened season: There is more urgency to turn things around given that [the season is more than halfway complete.]( - Legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson dead at 78: John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a "Hoya Paranoia" powerhouse and became [the first Black coach to lead a team]( to the NCAA men's basketball championship, has died.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Worth a click New York woman finds out her ex cheated on her from his wedding announcement in the New York Times: [YIKES.](  Trivia winner Congratulations to George Kochmann! George was randomly selected from among the many readers who correctly answered that Treasure City is the iconic Minnesota gift shop that was recently put up for sale. He wins a $15 gift card. Be sure to read Talkers on Friday for another trivia question!  From the archives Aug. 31, 1958: Campers come running when the old chow bell clangs at Camp Frances E. House on George Lake in Brimson, Minn. (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.](