Minnesota reports zero new COVID-19 deaths for first time since last April

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Minnesota reports zero new COVID-19 deaths for first time since last April: Minnesota for the first time since April 13 reported zero deaths in its daily situation update for COVID-19. The number comes with caveats, including that daily COVID-19 reports have always been lower on Mondays, and reflect when investigations are complete rather than when deaths actually occur. Nonetheless, [it is a sign of hope after a full year of the pandemic in Minnesota](. - After rule change, Minneapolis businesses rush to install security shutters: From small retailers to corporate giants such as Target and Ameriprise, [property owners are rushing to take advantage of a new ordinance in Minneapolis]( that allows them to use retractable metal shutters and roll-up gates to protect their assets. Even the city of Minneapolis has joined the movement: The Police Department was one of the first to add retractable shutters to its downtown First Precinct. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis also began installing shutters on its front lobby windows last week. - Jury selection in Chauvin trial enters home stretch: [Monday could be the last day needed]( to find the necessary number of jurors the judge wants for the murder case against Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd late last spring. Friday's jury selection ended with 13 chosen, and Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said he'd like to find two more for the panel. One additional juror was seated Monday. [You can watch the proceedings live here.]( - AstraZeneca says U.S. data shows vaccine effective for adults: AstraZeneca said its COVID-19 vaccine was [79% effective overall at preventing symptomatic cases of COVID-19]( — including in older people — and that none of the study volunteers who were vaccinated were hospitalized or developed severe disease. The company also said its experts did not identify any safety concerns related to the vaccine, including finding no increased risk of rare blood clots identified in Europe. - Minnesota law enforcement cracks down on speeders: An all-out blitz that started in February has state troopers teaming with county sheriffs and local police to [crack down on lead-footed driving.]( - Minneapolis will no longer be Canadian Pacific's U.S. headquarters after $25B merger: Canadian Pacific Railway announced Sunday that [it was acquiring Kansas City Southern for about $25 billion]( to create the first freight rail network connecting the U.S., Mexico and Canada. - How federal courts desegregated the Minneapolis Fire Department: For much of the 20th century, the Minneapolis Fire Department was a symbol of racial inequity. In 1971, it had been 27 years since the last Black firefighter had been hired — and he was fired for wearing a gray rather than a blue shirt to a fire. But 50 years ago this month, the city's discriminatory practices took a direct hit with U.S. District Judge Earl Larson's order to desegregate the all-white department. [We spoke with several of the firefighters who integrated the department]( about their experiences. WATCH THIS Gordon Ramsay literally has egg on his face after daughter's prank: The sharp-tongued TV chef seems to have [taken his comeuppance with good humor.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - From bison to rapids, discover the hidden gems of Minnesota's state park system: With holdings that range from tiny to immense, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' division of Parks and Trails boasts 66 parks, nine recreation areas and nine waysides encompassing 240,600 acres, plus 25 land-based trails and 35 water trails that collectively cover more than 6,000 miles. That's a lot of parkland — and it is full of [hidden treasures and more than a few surprises.]( - Huge penthouse condo in Mendota Heights has small price tag, big HOA fees: In Minneapolis or Manhattan, a 7,400-square-foot penthouse condo easily commands seven, eight, sometimes nine figures. But the owners of a palatial three-bedroom, five-bathroom pad in Mendota Heights are asking a measly $295,000. Heck, it's less than the price others paid for smaller units in the same building on Eagle Ridge Drive. [But there's a catch.]( - Kenny Chesney postpones tour again, casting doubt on summer concerts: It's going to be another bummer summer for Kenny Chesney fans. The grand poobah of No Shoes Nation is once again saying no-way to a giant summer concert tour and has [postponed all his 2021 dates to 2022]( due to COVID-19 safety concerns, including his alreadyonce-delayedstop at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Twins tickets for first batch of games on sale Thursday: The first batch of Minnesota Twins tickets [will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday](. Because of current seating limitations at Target Field, only games from April 8 — the home opener vs. Seattle — through May 6 will be available for now. The Timberwolves will put a limited number of tickets on sale for their April and May home games March 31. - All 5 Minnesota D-I men's hockey programs make NCAA tournament: For the first time, [all five Minnesota Division I men's hockey teams will play in the NCAA tournament]( in the same year. The 16-team field was announced Sunday night, and the Gophers, Minnesota State Mankato, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and Bemidji State all made it. - Would the Gophers hire an assistant to be next men's basketball coach? Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle was asked the day after he fired Richard Pitino if he would consider hiring an assistant to fill the head coaching vacancy. Coyle said from the beginning [he wouldn't rule anyone out while casting a "wide net" for Pitino's replacement.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK How a sham candidate helped flip a Florida election: "The candidate and the man who prosecutors say recruited him to play spoiler in a Florida Senate race last year were both arrested [last] week," [reports Patricia Mazzei for the New York Times.]( TRIVIA WINNER Congratulations to Leigh Feily! Leigh was randomly selected from among the many readers who correctly answered that Ford Motor Co. announced last week that 30,000 of its employees would be able to continue working from home indefinitely. She wins a $15 gift card. Be sure to read Talkers on Friday for another trivia question. FROM THE ARCHIVES March 22, 2017: The Lowry Hill Tunnel is seen from above Interstate 94 in Minneapolis. (Photo: Renée Jones Schneider/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 © 2021 StarTribune. All rights reserved. We value your opinion! [Give us your feedback.](