The Week at a Glance
The Trial of Derek Chauvin
Monday, April 19: via Erin Donaghue of CBS News, The jury began deliberations after closing arguments, adjourning at 8 p.m. local time without reaching a verdict.
National Guard troops are called to U.S. cities as the jury deliberates in the Chauvin trial, by Andres R. Martinez of the New York Times
Tuesday, April 20: via the New York Times, Derek Chauvin is convicted for the murder of George Floyd. After just under 10 hours of deliberation the jurors delivered guilty verdicts on the counts of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second degree manslaughter.
Chao Xiong and Paul Walsh of the Star Tribune write, “The verdicts, read aloud at 4:07 p.m. and streamed live around the world, prompted immediate celebrations in the plaza outside the courthouse in downtown Minneapolis”
Wednesday, April 21: via Matt Sepic of Minnesota Public Radio News, Minnesota Guard troops standing down as Twin Cities are quiet after the verdict
Remembering Former Vice President Walter Mondale
On Monday, April 19, Walter “Fritz” Mondale passed away, age 93. A dedicated and compassionate public servant, Mr. Mondale was remembered by his 1976 running mate, Former President Jimmy Carter, as, “the best vice president in our country’s history”.
The police killing of Daunte Wright
Daunte Wright was laid to rest on Thursday the 22 of April. Shannon Prather et al, of the StarTribune reported “Mourners including the state’s top political leaders filled a north Minneapolis church to honor a 20-year-man killed by Brooklyn Center Police, and demand justice”
COVID-19:
Seven-day rolling average is 1,799 cases per day. Positive test rate is 4.1%. Over 2.3 million Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose.
Upper Midwest Covid-19 Surge May Signal Problems Aheah for U.S., by Madeleine Ngo and Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times
MN Schools to stay open despite growing Covid-19 spread among students, by Elizabeth Shockman of Minnesota Public Radio News
“‘Increasing vaccination and increasing testing can help us protect the ability of schools to stay in person,’ [State Health Commissioner] Jan Malcom said during a news conference Thursday”
As COVID cases rise among kids, teens targeted for vaccination, By Catherine Richert of Minnesota Public Radio News
With Few New Clotting Cases, Johnson & Johnson Pause Could Be Lifted Soon, by Noah Weiland and Sharon LaFraniere of The New York Times
Key Events, Court Rulings & Executive Branch Developments
Monday, April 19: via Jordan Williams of The Hill, “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) called for ‘systemic reform’ after former MInneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd”
Monday, April 19: via Josh Verges of The Pioneer Press, “Minnesota schools must administer statewide math and reading tests this spring, but the results likely will not be used to identify struggling schools.”
Wednesday, April 21: via Andy Mannix of the Star Tribune, Justice Department to probe whether Minneapolis police have ‘pattern and practice’ of misconduct, “City officials… applauded the Justice Department for using its authority to reform Minneapolis police”.
Thursday, April 22: via The Associated Press, At ‘moment of peril,’ Biden opens global summit on climate, “President Joe Biden convened leaders of the world’s most powerful countries on Thursday to try and spur global efforts against climate change” reflective of the Biden administrations own new commitment to cut U.S. fossil fuel emissions by up to 52% by 2030.
Friday, April 23: via Melissa Turtinen of Bring Me the News, Police licensing board’s new rules ban white supremacist affiliation, set policy for protest response, “The new rules come asthe Minnesota Legislature has fialed to pass bills on such measures”
Update from the Minnesota Legislature
April 17, 2021: via Samantha Woodward of Minnesota Daily, “Controversial MN Supreme Court ruling fuels legislative change to protect sexual assault survivors”
April 18, 2021: via Samantha Hendrickson of Minnesota Daily, “A new bill [authored by Sen. David Osmek (R-Mound)] proposed in the Minnesota Legislature would make anyone convicted of a crime at a protest ineligible for student loans and many other forms of state financial aid”
April 22, 2021: via Melissa Turtinen of Bring Me the News, “The Minnesota House of Representatives passed an omnibus bill early Thursday morning that includes police reform and accountability measures”. However, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, “has stressed that the Legislature’s priority is passing budget bills and he made no promises that hearings on police reform would become law”.
April 23, 2021: via Melissa Turtinen of Bring Me the News, Schools cutting teacher jobs as debate over funding increase continues, “The Minnesota Legislature is working out differences in the school funding bill in a conference committee”
Congressional Delegation Update
April 17, 2021: via Hunder Woodall of the Star Tribune, Congressional midterm fundraising underway, “U.S. Rep. Angie Craig leads her colleagues in fundraising so far in 2021, with more than $1.4 million cash on hand”
April 20, 2021: via Ashley Hackett of MinnPost, Minnesota congressional delegation reacts to Chauvin verdict
April 23, 2021: via Hunter Woodall of the Star Tribune, Minnesota GOP challenges Democrats over Rep. Maxin Waters’ words