Defense rests after Chauvin tells court he will not testify

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Defense rests after Chauvin tells court he will not testify: Derek Chauvin said in court Thursday that he will not testify in his murder trial shortly before the defense said it has completed its case and the prosecution reiterated the same, setting the stage for [closing arguments and deliberations Monday.]( - Daunte Wright killing draws attention to traffic stops for minor driving infractions: The fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright on Sunday is drawing fresh attention to two minor infractions in Minnesota law that many motorists might not realize can prompt a pullover. The killing reignited longstanding debate on social media and elsewhere about racial profiling as studies have shown that [Black motorists are more likely to be pulled over]( for these types of infractions. - Residents of apartments near Brooklyn Center Police Department describe "a war zone": Law enforcement officers have clashed with the protesters, using tear gas, flash-bang grenades and projectiles to clear the crowds. For those living in the apartments nearby, that has meant finding bright green marking rounds and gas canisters landing on their balconies. It has meant sleepless nights of trying to watch through windows while fearing a projectile will fly through the glass. And even for those residents who did try going to bed, [the coughing caused by the tear gas was often enough to keep them awake](. As the Twin Cities reels from the trauma of police killings and racial reckoning, residents are seeking not only self-care, but self-preservation. To facilitate that, [a new crop of "safe spaces" have popped up around the Twin Cities.](They aim to serve as places "where people can just go and be and, for lack of a better word, don't have to be policed," said Joi Lewis, founder of the Healing Justice Foundation and a local executive coach and author. - Johnson & Johnson vaccine to remain in limbo while officials seek evidence: Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine will remain in limbo for a while longer after government health advisers declared Wednesday that they need more evidence to decide if a handful of unusual blood clots were linked to the shot — and if so, [how big the risk really is.]( The reports are exceedingly rare — six cases out of more than 7 million U.S. inoculations with the one-dose vaccine. But the government recommended a pause in J&J vaccinations this week, not long after European regulators declared that such clots are a rare but possible risk with the AstraZeneca vaccine, a shot made in a similar way but not yet approved for use in the U.S. [Minnesota reported another 11 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday]( along with 2,736 infections with the novel coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease. - St. Paul mayor vetoes council rejection of housing plan for vacant lot: Saying St. Paul needs a range of housing to meet its goals for vitality and affordability, Mayor Melvin Carter on Wednesday [vetoed the City Council's rejection of a $60 million apartment and retail project]( at University Avenue and Lexington Parkway. A divided council last week voted 4-3 to deny a site plan by Minneapolis-based Alatus for a 288-unit project on a long-vacant 2-acre parcel near the Green Line. - Construction hiring accelerated Minnesota's jobs comeback last month: Minnesota's job recovery picked up in March with the state adding back 21,600 jobs, putting the state at [the highest job level seen so far during the pandemic](. The largest additions in March were in construction, which added 7,900 jobs, professional and business services, which was up 5,500 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, which increased by 4,300 jobs. - Man arrested after mask dispute, attacks on Menards employee, police officer: A 61-year-old Hutchinson, Minn., man was arrested Wednesday after [he allegedly assaulted an employee with a piece of lumber]( at a Menards in the McLeod County city during a dispute over wearing a mask, then attacked a police officer with a hammer. - U.S. expels Russian diplomats, imposes sanctions for hacking: The Biden administration on Thursday announced the U.S. is expelling 10 Russian diplomats and [imposing sanctions against dozens of companies and people]( in an effort to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year's presidential election and the cyber hacking of federal agencies. - Target unveils plan to speed up online deliveries: As Amazon and other retailers have experimented with their own fleets to have more control over the process, [Target will use drivers who contract with its subsidiary Shipt]( to deliver local online orders. WATCH THIS Angels star Shohei Ohtani is incredibly fast: [Ohtani was safe at first base after sprinting]([29.5]([feet per second]( to beat the shortstop's throw on what would typically be an easy ground out during Tuesday's game against the Royals. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - Former Guthrie stage manager pivots to managing vaccinations at MOA: Like many people, theater artist Jason Clusman lost his job because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, [his new gig might help him get the old one back.]( - The 10 best things our critics are watching this week: From John Stamos' new Disney series to a Dolly Parton tribute, [here's what we're tuning into.]( - Why rental car rates are soaring — and how to beat the trend: Do you budget for airfare and hotel but treat the rental car as an afterthought? It is time to change your ways, because that Dodge or Ford you use to shuttle around could be [the most expensive part of your summer vacation.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - Gophers set spring football game for May 1 with 10,000 fans: TheGophers football team announcedthat its annual spring game will be May 1 at TCF Bank Stadium, and that [up to 10,000 people can attend with free admission.]( - Twins are sticking with Sano. But for how long? Miguel Sano's at-bats have become frustrating to watch. His batting average is the worst in the league and he has six times as many strikeouts as hits, [writes Chip Scoggins.]( - Minnesota high school advisory committee asks for mask exemption for players during games: A Minnesota State High School League advisory committee said [spring sports athletes competing outdoors should be allowed to remove their masks]( during competition. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK The mystery of the man who fell from the sky: The Guardian's Sirin Kale attempts to uncover the identity of [a man who fell from an airliner]( into a garden in south London in 2019. FROM THE ARCHIVES April 15, 2015: Minnesota Air National Guard veteran Andrew Walker and his wife, Megan, were surprised with the news that they would receive a new, mortgage-free home in Maple Grove as part of PulteGroup's "Built to Honor" program, which donates homes to wounded veterans and their families across the country in partnership with Operation Finally Home. (Photo: Glen Stubbe/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.](