Daylong celebration of George Floyd's life planned at 38th and Chicago a year after his killing

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may [see it online](. [Star Tribune]( Talkers TOP STORIES - Daylong celebration of George Floyd's life planned at 38th and Chicago a year after his killing: Friends and family of George Floyd will gather for [a daylong celebration of his life]( next Tuesday to commemorate one year since he was killed by Minneapolis police. The event at 38th and Chicago in south Minneapolis is hosted by the George Floyd Global Memorial. It will end with a candlelight vigil honoring Floyd at 8 p.m. at the site where he was killed. - Young girl shot in head while in vehicle in north Minneapolis: Another child was shot and critically wounded on Minneapolis' North Side late Monday, police said, continuing [a recent string of gunfire hitting young victims](. Anti-violence activist K.G. Wilson said the girl is his 6-year-old granddaughter, Aniya Allen, and she was shot in the head. Gunfire from the same incident hit a man, police said. Both victims were in critical condition Tuesday morning, according to police. - Minnesota COVID-19 positivity rate drops to 5% caution level: [Minnesota lowered its reported positivity rate of recent COVID-19 diagnostic testing to 5%,]( the first time since mid-March that the key measure of viral transmission levels has been at or below the state's caution threshold. - Models forecast COVID-19 in sharp retreat in Minnesota: Three major COVID-19 models [predict sharp declines in viral spread in Minnesota in late May]( — with Mayo Clinic forecasting a drop from 900 new infections per day to 563 by Memorial Day weekend. The models forecast a decline to what will likely be a stable level of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19, rather than an end to the pandemic, said Dr. Sean Dowdy, Mayo's deputy chief value officer and a co-creator of the health system's model. - Frey says he wants to end traffic stops for low-level offenses, increase police overtime funding: After another weekend of shocking violence, Mayor Jacob Frey convened city leaders Monday on a north Minneapolis street corner to assure residents he's got a plan to keep them safe — even though he apparently lacks the support of several City Council members. Frey said [he's working to end traffic stops for low-level offenses]( such as small objects hanging from rearview mirrors and inoperable license plate lights. He said he's working with the state to stop making expired tabs a primary reason for police to stop a driver. It wasn't clear, however, how much he can do on his own, when he might get it done and whether he can muster the necessary council votes. - Willmar orders pause to police dog training at public housing: After a civil rights group protested that the training would "forcefully convert the homes and living spaces of all Lakeview residents into a de facto police state," the city has [suspended the program while it looks into it further.]( - House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy opposes Jan. 6 commission: House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday that [he won't support a proposal to form an independent, bipartisan commission]( to study the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, almost certainly eroding GOP support ahead of a vote and positioning his party as opposed to investigations of the attack. - North Carolina prosecutor says deputies' fatal shooting of Black man was justified: District Attorney Andrew Womble said Andrew Brown Jr.'s actions caused deputies to believe it was necessary to use deadly force. Brown ignored deputies' commands to stop and began to drive his car directly at one of the officers, Womble told a news conference. Deputies attempting to serve drug-related search and arrest warrants [shot and killed Brown outside his Elizabeth City home]( on April 21. - Developer buys burned-out site at Chicago and Lake for redevelopment: St. Paul real estate firm Neighborhood Development Center on Monday [acquired a corner lot at Chicago Avenue and E. Lake Street](, the site of a two-story building destroyed by arson in the riots after the killing of George Floyd last May. WATCH THIS TV reporter covering dognapping story finds stolen dog while on camera: [The alleged dog thief was arrested]( after walking the stolen pooch by the parking lot where it went missing. Talk to us! Send feedback on this newsletter, questions, story tips, ideas or anything else to [talkers@startribune.com](. TRENDING - 10 arts groups serving communities of color to split $7M in funding: Ten Minnesota arts groups are [getting surprise grants of $500,000 or more]( as part of a new program meant to grow organizations rooted in communities of color. - Waite Park amphitheater to open for inaugural season — finally: After its opening was postponed a year — and then another few months — by the COVID-19 pandemic, Waite Park's new amphitheater [will open at full capacity for its inaugural season in July.]( The city, along with its contracted production companies, announced Monday two acts for this summer's concert calendar at The Ledge Amphitheater: The Beach Boys on Aug. 11 and the rock band 311 on Sept. 12. - Ospreys have bounced back in Minnesota from deadly days of DDT: Given a healthier environment and suitable places to nest, Minnesota's osprey population recovered quickly, but it was an important lesson on [the unintended consequences of the chemicals we use.]( SPORTS ROUNDUP - "Play the game right" crowd in a tizzy after 9th-inning homer off Astudillo: It was a 47-mph pitch on a 3-and-0 count with two outs in the ninth and the Twins were already trailing 15-4. Twins broadcaster Roy Smalley [was not as amused as some others.]( - Three keys to victory in Game 2 for Wild vs. Vegas: A series that immediately became intriguing resumes late Tuesday in Las Vegas, and [the Wild can expect some pushback from the Golden Knights.]( - Nominate high school athletes, leaders and volunteers for the Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards: The Star Tribune is now accepting nominations for three special honors that will be announced in June for the fourth annual Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards. Anyone can nominate a student, coach, leader or special person who contributes to prep sports. [More details here.]( Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can [sign up for Talkers here](. WORTH A CLICK A rapper posed on a SWAT truck during the Capitol riot and put it on his album. Now he's facing federal charges. "With a cigar in his right hand and an American flag draped by his side, Antionne DeShaun Brodnax sat on a U.S. Capitol Police SWAT truck as hordes of President Donald Trump's supporters climbed the Capitol steps, storming the building behind him. An image of that moment made its way to federal agents thanks to tipsters. But more recently, it also became the cover of Brodnax's new rap album, 'The Capital," [writes Jaclyn Peiser for the Washington Post.]( FROM THE ARCHIVES May 18, 2015: Madonna, the St. Paul Saints' mascot, took in the view from the outfield patio at the new CHS Field in Lowertown during an exhibition game against the Sioux City Explorers. (Photo: Jeff Wheeler/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. 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