Biden tightens some gun controls by executive action, says much more needed

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Biden tightens some gun controls by executive action, says much more needed: President Joe Biden, in his first gun control measures since taking office, [announced a half-dozen executive actions Thursday aimed at addressing a proliferation of gun violence]( across the nation that he called an "epidemic and an international embarrassment." - Floyd died from lack of oxygen under Chauvin, breathing expert testifies: A medical expert [testified in the Derek Chauvin murder trial that George Floyd died from a lack of oxygen]( late last spring as the now-fired Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd's neck. Dr. Martin Tobin, a Chicago physician who has specialized in respiratory and critical care medicine for decades, said he has reviewed much of the evidence and concluded that "Floyd died from a low level of oxygen. This caused damage to his brain that we see, and it also caused a [pulseless electrical activity] arrhythmia that caused his heart to stop." - Activist turned Minnesota lawmaker "unapologetic" about fighting racism in shadow of Chauvin trial: [The St. Paul freshman's fight against systemic racism and police brutality]( in Minnesota is now unfolding against a backdrop of former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin's murder trial in the killing of Floyd. Thompson wants to use the legislative system to prevent another death in police custody, figuring that he can make more of a difference in the halls of the Capitol than as a protester who was initially moved to action by the police killing of his friend Philando Castile in 2016. - Where big issues stand at the Minnesota Legislature: After a busy winter of remote hearings on bills, lawmakers are now racing toward a May 17 deadline to strike a deal on a more than $50 billion two-year state budget and a handful of other tax and policy issues. If they don't, the Republican-controlled Senate and DFL House will have to head into an overtime session. [Here are some of the key issues we're tracking this session and where they stand](. - COVID-19 cases climb despite 3 million vaccine shots in Minnesota: Minnesota surpassed 3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in its race against a pandemic that has caused 6,922 deaths and 535,182 diagnosed infections in the state. [The vaccination milestone comes amid a new wave of COVID-19 activity]( in Minnesota, which reported 14 more deaths and 2,535 infections on Thursday and a 6.4% positivity rate of diagnostic testing that is above the state's 5% caution threshold. [Hennepin County will receive $240 million in federal funding for future COVID-19 expenditures](, the second significant cash infusion in the past two years as the pandemic stretches into the summer. The funding from the American Rescue Act will be paid out over two years. - Minnesota woman charged in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol: [FBI agents arrested a Rochester woman]( early Thursday on charges connected to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Victoria White, 39, will make her first appearance in federal court Thursday. The details of the charges are currently under seal. Separately, federal agents in Minnesota have arrested Michael Paul Dahlager, 27, of St. Cloud, who claims allegiance to anti-government Boogaloo Bois and plotted a violent attack on the Minnesota State Capitol earlier this year, [according to charges unsealed in Minnesota U.S. District Court]( on Wednesday. - Illinois man who livestreamed riot trip to Minneapolis pleads guilty to arson: An Illinois man who livestreamed his riot trip to Minneapolis last summer, including filming part of his role in burning down a Sprint store, [pleaded guilty in Minnesota U.S. District Court]( on Wednesday to one count of aiding and abetting arson. Matthew Rupert, of Galesburg, Ill.,was the first person to be chargedwith federal crimes for participating in the looting and arson that took place after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. - Minneapolis voters will decide whether to grant mayor more power in November: Minneapolis voters [will decide this fall on whether to change the balance of power in City Hall](, granting the mayor more authority over daily operations and restricting the council's role. The Minneapolis Charter Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to place the question before voters in November, when the ballot will include the races for mayor and all 13 City Council members. The ballot also could have a separate proposal to replace the Police Department. - Jennifer Carnahan fights to stay atop Minnesota GOP: The race for Minnesota Republican Party chair pits Jennifer Carnahan, a small business owner and St. Louis Park resident, against Mark Koran, a sales manager and a state senator from North Branch since 2017. [Whoever wins will lead a party struggling to break its 15-year losing streak]( in statewide elections and contending with fallout from President Donald Trump's loss. - With Twins game, downtown businesses are ready for the most action in a year: [Ten thousand fans will be allowed into Target Field on Thursday](. Many more are expected as the home opener, at least in typical years, draws people without tickets around the ballpark to be part of the excitement. On top of that, there's the state high school girls' and boys' basketball tournament this week at Target Center, and Timberwolves home games that up to 3,000 people can now attend as state restrictions on crowds have eased. WATCH THIS Winemakers in Chablis light thousands of torches to protect vineyards from frost: [It's quite a sight.]( Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Minnesotans are getting vaccinated in drugstores, shopping malls, even storage facilities: As the pace of shots continues to ramp up in Minnesota and locations from a shuttered Target store to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds become vaccination sites, we asked readers to share their own shot stories. Along with gratitude for health care workers and frustration about the patience and privilege often required to score an appointment, [you told us about epic drives, meaningful moments and a shared feeling of hope.]( - The 10 best things our critics are watching this week: From Amazon's new horror anthology to a "Bad Trip" on Netflix, [here's what we're tuning into.]( - Minnesota Opera musicians venture out of the pit and into the spotlight: Part of the catharsis of attending an opera is letting the tears flow when the music becomes particularly poignant. Some members of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra can relate: They confess to misting up, as well. It's an experience they look forward to having again when live performance returns. In the meantime, many are reuniting online as part of [a three-weekMinnesota Opera showcase called "Apart Together."]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - The Wild that crushed Colorado can absolutely win in the playoffs: An 8-3 win and four power play goals against one of the NHL's best teams [provided clarity on expectations.]( - You Betcha Brigade invades Frozen Four with three Minnesota teams: Three Minnesota teams — Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State Mankato — are in Pittsburgh for the Frozen Four. The You-Betcha Brigade invading Yinzer Territory. There is, of course, [another team eager to spoil the Minnesota party.]( - Former NFL player Phillip Adams killed 5, then himself in South Carolina, AP source says: The gunman who killed five people including a prominent doctor in South Carolina [was former NFL player Phillip Adams](, who killed himself early Thursday, according to a person who was briefed on the investigation. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Think home prices are going crazy here? Wait till you see what's happening in New Zealand. "Every week seems to bring new stories of unimaginable prices being paid. In March, a modest three-bedroom bungalow in the desirable Auckland suburb of Greenlane sold at auction for NZ$5.98 million [about $4.2 million] ,some NZ$2.6 million above its local council valuation, according to real estate website OneRoof.Even dilapidated houses, known as 'dungers"in New Zealand, are in hot demand. In January, a tumble-down, three-bedroom house with peeling paint and boarded-up windows sold for NZ$1.81 million [about $1.28 million] in the Auckland suburb of Avondale, revealing the value of the land it sits on to developers," [reports Ainsley Thomson for Bloomberg Wealth.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES April 8, 2020: A beautiful sunrise could be seen behind the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where video messaging on the stadium urged Minnesota residents to heed warnings and stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo: David Joles/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.](