Chauvin trial was a life-changing experience, says alternate juror

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Chauvin trial was a life-changing experience, says alternate juror: T[he jurors who held the fate of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in their hands]( took their job so seriously that to protect the process they didn't learn one another's names, jobs, family ties or personal interests. They came from various backgrounds and spanned five decades in age but somehow came to an unspoken understanding early in their three weeks together that they would limit conversation to the weather, a shortage of Cheetos at their snack table and their pizza orders every Wednesday, said Lisa Christensen, who served as an alternate juror in the case. - One nurse's race to vaccinate as many Minnesotans as she can: Chris Runyon, a 71-year-old public health nurse, is among hundreds of Minnesotans with medical backgrounds who have stepped forward to administer vaccines as the state ramps up efforts to get as many people as possible inoculated against the coronavirus. As the vaccine supply has increased, so has the demand for people to deliver the shots. For many, administering the vaccine has become [a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save lives and spread hope]( after a year of despair. - COVID-19 ICU admissions continue to rise in Minnesota: Intensive care admissions of people with severe COVID-19 reached 202 in Minnesota on Thursday, [exceeding 200 for the first time since late December]( on the downside of the last pandemic wave. The latest COVID-19 data for Minnesota underscored the severity of the pandemic, despite vaccine progress — with the state on Friday reporting another 10 deaths and 2,167 infections with the novel coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease. But the data also offered some hopeful signs that the current wave is peaking. - George Floyd's Texas friend seeks solace in Minneapolis: Tiffany Cofield hadn't wanted to come to Minnesota, but [she needed to make peace with her friend's death.]( - Income soars at Minnesota's big health insurers as claims fall during pandemic: Legal settlements and delayed care amid the pandemic drove a surge in operating income last year for Minnesota's nonprofit health insurers. As a group, the seven insurers represented by the Minnesota Council of Health Plans [posted operating income last year of $546.5 million](, up 73% from the previous year's $316.7 million. - Two teenage drivers killed in head-on crash in western Minnesota: A 16-year-old girl from nearby Kensington was heading east in her car about 15 miles west of Alexandria on Hwy. 55 and [collided with a westbound pickup truck]( driven by a 19-year-old man from Brooten, Minn., said the State Patrol, which has not disclosed which vehicle crossed into the wrong lane. - Psychologist at Minnesota sex offender program charged with sexually assaulting two clients: The psychologist, Michelle D. Brownfield, 38, of Duluth, was [charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct]( involving two men, who were undergoing treatment for sexual offenses. A warrant covering Minnesota and its border states has been issued for her arrest. - Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson questions need for vaccinations: Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, [questioned the need for widespread COVID-19 vaccinations](, saying in a radio interview "what do you care if your neighbor has one or not?" Johnson, who has no medical expertise or background, made the comments Thursday during an interview with conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna. Johnson's comments come as health officials in the U.S. and around the world urge people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible, saying that reaching herd immunity is the best shot at stopping the uncontrolled spread of the virus. - Caitlyn Jenner announces bid for California governor: Republican Caitlyn Jenner said Friday [she will run for governor of California](, injecting a jolt of celebrity into an emerging campaign that threatens to oust Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. Jenner — an Olympic hero, reality TV personality and transgender rights activist — said in statement posted on Twitter and on an accompanying website that she has filed initial paperwork to run for the post. - Is Minnesota's power grid ready for widespread electric cars? The number of electric cars cruising Minnesota roadways is growing rapidly every year, spurring [new demands on the electrical grid to keep them all charged.]( WATCH THIS How the Twins' Willians Astudillo threw a perfect 1-2-3 inning with 7 lollipop pitches: Jomboy Media [breaks down La Tortuga's recent appearance on the mound]( against the Angels, during which he tossed some junk pitches clocking in at just 46 MPH. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - The 5 best things our food writers ate this week: From 'nduja and rapini quiche to Pepe pastrami, [here's a rundown of the greatest hits from their food diaries]( over the past seven days. - Minnesota Zoo concerts move to Canterbury Park: So long tigers, hello horses. The longtime promoter of concerts at the Minnesota Zoo [will temporarily move shows this summer to Canterbury Park]( in Shakopee because of the pandemic. - Shock G, leader of 90s hip-hop group Digital Underground, dies at 57: Shock G, who blended whimsical wordplay with reverence for '70s funk as [leader of the off-kilter Bay Area hip-hop group Digital Underground](, has died. The group found fame with the Billboard Top 10 hit "Humpty Dance" in 1990. Shock G, born Greg Jacobs, donned a Groucho Marx-style fake nose and glasses to become one of his many alter egos, Humpty Hump. SPORTS ROUNDUP - Nick Gordon, Twins' first-round draft pick in 2014, finally gets called up: With five players on the COVID injury list and first baseman Miguel Sano headed to the 10-day injured list because of a hamstring injury, [the Twins made some moves before Friday night's game]( against the Pirates at Target Field. - Top talent dwindles, so U basketball must score next-level state stars: There doesn't appear to be a Next Chet Holmgren or Next Jalen Suggs from Minnesota anytime soon. And that realistically [opens the door for the Gophers and new coach Ben Johnson to keep top prospects home]( better than under Richard Pitino's regime. - Why the Vikings might need even more defensive backs: The Vikings made a series of moves to help the secondary this offseason, but [the group's long-term picture remains unclear.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK Why some American honey is mildly radioactive: "Drizzle some radioactivity in your tea: Scientists say nuclear fallout from Cold War weapons testing is still showing up in U.S. honey today, and the secret to the lingering traces is a sneaky chemistry twist," [writes Caroline Delbert for Popular Mechanics.]( TALKERS TRIVIA Want to win a $15 gift card of your choice? It's Friday, so that means it's time for another trivia question. The correct answer to this question can be found in a story that appeared in Talkers this week. We can't prevent you from simply Googling the answer, so Googling is encouraged! E-mail your answer to talkers@startribune.com by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. A winner will be selected at random from the correct responses. That lucky reader will receive a $15 card of their choice from one of several retailers — Best Buy, Target, Holiday or Menards — as well as a shout-out in Monday's newsletter. Here is this week's question: A popular roller skating rink in which Minnesota city announced it is closing its doors next month after 52 years? Good luck! FROM THE ARCHIVES April 23, 2020: Angler Arnie Waiting fished for steelhead trout at the base of Gooseberry Falls in Two Harbors. (Photo: Alex Kormann/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.](