Minnesota reports record 2,872 COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers Top stories - Minnesota reports record 2,872 COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths: [Thirty-two COVID-19 deaths were reported by Minnesota health authorities]( on Thursday along with 2,872 lab-confirmed infections and other worsening statistical indicators of the pandemic. Rising case counts, released on Thursday, flipped six more counties into the category in which all-online learning would be recommended at local schools. [We are tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota here.]( State health officials urged Minnesotans to celebrate Halloween on Saturday and vote next Tuesday, but to [take precautions to reduce the risk of exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic](. - At request of Trump official, Minneapolis police union calls for retired cops to be "poll challengers": The Minneapolis police union [put out a call this week for retired officers]( to help serve as “eyes and ears” at polling sites in “problem” areas across the city on Election Day, at the request of an attorney for President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. The request was made by William Willingham, whose e-mail signature identifies him as a senior legal adviser and director of Election Day operations for the Trump campaign. - Trump, state GOP candidates seek to segregate ballots arriving after Election Day: In [the latest action challenging Minnesota’s seven-day extension]( for absentee ballots, the Republican campaigns petitioned the court on Wednesday to separate ballots arriving after Tuesday in case of legal challenges to their validity. - Trump, Biden returning to Minnesota tomorrow: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden [will return to Minnesota for an event in St. Paul]( on Friday, the campaign told the Star Tribune. The planned visit, four days before the Nov. 3 election, will come as both campaigns launch their final push to capture Minnesota’s 10 electoral votes, underscoring its status as a potential battleground state. President Donald Trump, who has vowed to flip the state after a narrow 2016 loss, [will make his fourth visit to Minnesota in recent months]( on Friday, with an evening rally in Rochester. - Gray wolf loses Endangered Species Act protections: Federal wildlife officials are [removing the gray wolf from the U.S. Endangered Species Act list](, saying the wolf population — an estimated 6,000 roaming the continental U.S. — has recovered and the animal no longer requires federal protection. - Wisconsin Republican Party says hackers stole $2.3 million: Hackers have stolen $2.3 million from the Wisconsin Republican Party's account that was being used to help reelect President Donald Trump in the key battleground state, [the party's chairman told The Associated Press]( on Thursday. - Girl Scouts tweet, then delete post about new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett: A tweet by the Girl Scouts congratulating new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett drew such outrage from Barrett’s critics that [the youth organization swiftly deleted it]( – only to draw a new backlash from Barrett’s supporters. - 3 dead in attack at French church: An attacker armed with a knife [killed three people inside a church]( Thursday in the Mediterranean city of Nice, prompting the government to raise its security alert status to the highest level and double the number of soldiers deployed in the country. It was the third attack in two months in France that authorities have attributed to Muslim extremists, including the beheading of a teacher. - $10 device could save Black motorists' lives, says Philando Castile's mom: It was a product developed with Black drivers in mind — [a small, translucent pouch to store license and registration information]( within plain sight on a motorist’s air vent. The invention eliminated the need to make sudden movements that law enforcement might mistake as aggressive. - There are 5 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 return your absentee ballot? 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. Having any problems voting in Minnesota? [We want to hear about it.](  Watch this What do elephants and teenagers have in common? [They both love to smash pumpkins.](  Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](.  Trending - In unprecedented ad, 4 Minnesota governors call for "civility" around election: [In a video launched Wednesday](, Gov. Tim Walz, fellow Democrat Mark Dayton, Republican Tim Pawlenty and Jesse Ventura, who ran as a Reform Party candidate before transitioning to the Independence Party while in office, warn Minnesotans that the results could take longer than usual. They called this year “the most important election of our lifetime” and asked for “civility and decency” around the outcome. - These creepy historical dolls will freak you out this Halloween: Minnesota is entering the uncanny valley of the disturbing dolls this Halloween. The History Center of Olmsted County in Rochester is repeating its popular Creepy Doll Contest, where [a collection of some of the spooky historical dolls]( owned by the museum are on display for online and in-person public voting for the creepiest doll of 2020. - Citing crime and COVID, iconic St. Paul restaurant is closing for winter: Adding to the list of restaurants going into winter hibernation is [the 35-year-old St. Paul icon Billy’s on Grand.](  Sports roundup - Wolves' Beasley threatened family with gun outside home, charges say: Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley angrily aimed a rifle at a couple and their teenage child in an SUV outside his Plymouth home, where a large stash of marijuana was seized by police, [according to charges filed Thursday]( against him and his wife. - Fleck must prove he can win with his own defensive recruits: The Gophers' defense was expected to decline after losing Antoine Winfield, Jr., Kamal Martin, Carter Coughlin and Chris Williamson to the NFL, but abject failure in the opener dulls hope that the 2020 Gophers can capitalize on their historic 2019 season. It's one thing to lose a good player. That's the nature of the sport. [It's another to lose an eraser.]( - What if Favre had signed with the Vikings — but couldn't play the Packers? Minnesota United acquired a key player in a trade, with the understanding he couldn't play when the teams met. [How would this play out in other sports?](  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](.  Worth a click Can you tell a "Trump" fridge from a "Biden" fridge? The New York Times' Upshot [put together this little experiment]( that may teach you a thing or two about making assumptions.  From the archives Oct. 29, 2019: Minneapolis Washburn's Jameson Charles kept his eye on the ball as he took a header during the second half of the Class 2A boys' soccer semifinal match against Edina at U.S. Bank Stadium. 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