Supreme Court nominee Barrett vows "no agenda" as hearing turns confrontational

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Supreme Court nominee Barrett vows "no agenda" as hearing turns confrontational: Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett was [on Capitol Hill for a second day of hearings](, the mood quickly shifting to a more confrontational tone from opening day. She was grilled in 30-minute segments by Democrats strongly opposed to Trump's nominee, yet virtually powerless to stop her. Republicans are rushing her to confirmation before Election Day. - Second COVID peak spreading more broadly in Minnesota: State health officials on Monday said the novel corona­virus that causes COVID-19 was centered earlier this year in the Twin Cities, long-term care facilities and large rural food-processing plants, but [it’s now spreading more broadly]( across Minnesota communities. [Seven COVID-19 deaths were reported by Minnesota health authorities]( Tuesday along with 1,150 newly confirmed infections. Researchers found [no evidence that the novel coronavirus has been seeping into wells]( or Minnesota’s groundwater during a quick, emergency sampling project this summer. - Prosecutors ask to keep details of George Floyd's 2019 arrest out of public view: Prosecutors in the death of George Floyd have asked the court to take the extraordinary step of [withholding case filings from public view for at least two days,]( including the most recent defense filing that detailed his 2019 arrest. - Delta posts $5.38 billion loss as pandemic hammers travel: The summer travel season was even worse than expected for Delta Air Lines, [which lost $5.38 billion in the third quarter]( as people hunkered down at home during the pandemic. Most of the loss stemmed from the cost of paying people to quit and writing down the value of assets including planes destined for resale or the scrap yard. The rest was linked to a 76% plunge in revenue. - Minneapolis voters have two extra questions on their ballots. Here's what they mean. Minneapolis voters will make two decisions this fall that [could scramble the city election cycle.]( - Choua Lee Yang, founder of Hmong charter school, dies of COVID at 53: In 2004, Yang and her husband, Cha Ger Yang, founded the Prairie Seeds Academy, a Hmong charter school in Brooklyn Park. Its mission: to educate future generations of inspired global leaders. The school now has more than 800 students in kindergarten through the 12th grade. Yang’s journey was cut tragically short Friday, when the Blaine resident [died following a monthlong battle with COVID-19.]( - Wisconsin absentee ballot case may be headed to U.S. Supreme Court: Democrats and their allies said Tuesday [they will ask the U.S. Supreme Court]( to decide whether absentee ballots in battleground Wisconsin that are received up to six days after the election can be counted — a move being fought by Republicans who have opposed other attempts across the country to expand voting. - How Trump's children brought taxpayer money to the family business: When President Donald Trump’s adult children visited Trump properties, Trump’s company charged the Secret Service for agents to come along. The president’s company billed the U.S. government hundreds, or thousands, of dollars for rooms agents used on each trip, as the agency sometimes booked multiple rooms or a multiroom rental cottage on the property. In this way, Trump’s adult children and their families have caused the U.S. government to [spend at least $238,000 at Trump properties so far](, according to Secret Service records obtained by the Washington Post. - Social Security recipients will see modest rise in 2021: Social Security recipients will get [a modest 1.3% cost-of living-increase in 2021](, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus and its consequences for older people. - There are 21 days until Election Day! Early voting is underway in Minnesota for the 2020 general election. [Check out our guide to the candidates running for major offices]( and where they stand on the issues, as well as key races in the battle for the state Legislature. Got questions about how to register, how to request an absentee ballot, or how to find your polling place? [Here's what you need to know about how to vote in Minnesota.]( Are you voting for the first time this year? [Here are answers to some basic questions young voters may have.]( What happens after you seal, sign and send in your vote? Here’s a look at [how no-excuse absentee ballots are processed and counted.]( Sign up for [our Morning Hot Dish politics newsletter]( to get the latest campaign and election news.  Watch this Trail runner has scary, extended encounter with an angry mother mountain lion: Kyle Burgess was out for a run in Slate Canyon, near Provo, Utah, when he said he encountered four cougar cubs on the trail. Then their mom showed up, and she was not happy to see him, [aggressively stalking Burgess for a tense six minutes]( as he tried to back away to safety. (Warning: Strong language.) [Here's what the National Park Service says you should do]( if you ever encounter a mountain lion in the wild.  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - Twin Cities Halloween attractions switch to drive-through, drive-in or virtual haunts: Concern about coronavirus has led to the cancellation of some local haunts. But others have decided that [the horror show must go on, with adjustments.]( - Can opera still have an impact? That's literally this Minnesotan's job. 2020 is a year that has deeply affected opera, calling into question its continuing relevance in an era riven by racial division, political upheaval and the merciless impact of the coronavirus. Minnesota Opera's new Vice President of Impact Lee Bynum [pulls no punches in considering the gravity of the situation.]( - Audiences will climb to the roof of a Minneapolis museum for unsettling "Bug Girl": A creepy, witty shadow-puppet play will be [performed on the roof of the Bakken.](  Sports roundup - Angst over Vikings loss distracts us from true joy of sports: "You were able to see an outstanding effort from the underdog Vikings, and also the best quarterback on the planet perform his magic," [writes Patrick Reusse.]( - Pandemic gives high school officials one more call to make: The initial postponement decision, quick restart and lingering concerns about the coronavirus [reduced the number of officials this season](. Entering this week, the league has 1,130 football officials, about a 15% decrease from last season, said Jason Nickleby, league coordinator of officials. - Minnesota United to resume training after no further positive COVID tests: Sunday's match was postponed after two positive tests, but [Wednesday's match is slated to proceed as planned.](  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Worth a click Check out this Anoka man's 2,350-pound, world championship pumpkin: [That's a big pumpkin!](  From the archives Oct. 13, 1977: Vikings running back Brent McClanahan relaxed in his van and talked about growing up on a farm in Bakersfield, Calif., and his turbulent rookie season, four years earlier. (Photo: Pete Hohn/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.](