Morning Edition

Cathy Wurzer
Cathy Wurzer
MPR

Morning Edition, with Cathy Wurzer in St. Paul and NPR hosts in Washington and Los Angeles, brings you all the news from overnight and the information you need to start your day. Listen from 4 to 9 a.m. every weekday.

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What civil rights charges connected to Floyd's death could mean
A federal grand jury could soon hand down civil rights charges against the four former Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyd's death. The civil rights violations would be on top of the state criminal charges the officers face. MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked to John Marti, former acting U.S. attorney and longtime federal prosecutor.
State aid for Twin Cities businesses uncertain as end of session looms
Nearly a year after unrest that followed the death of George Floyd, businesses damaged in the violence are watching for signs of help from lawmakers in St. Paul. State Rep. Fue Lee, DFL-Minneapolis and chair of the bonding committee in the House, spoke with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer.
Minneapolis blues musician Cornbread Harris to celebrate 94th birthday with a sold-out show
Beloved Minneapolis blues musician Cornbread Harris will take the stage this weekend in front of a sold-out live audience at the Hook and Ladder.
Art Hounds: 'The Art of Possibilities'
A fine arts exhibition from Courage Kenny, a one-man comedy show in Lanesboro about chef James Beard, and a pandemic YouTube special from Minneapolis stand-up comic Ali Sultan. 
When classes start this fall at St. Paul’s Macalester College, students and employees on campus will be vaccinated against the coronavirus. That’s because the college is requiring it, with only limited exception.
Both sides claim victory in complicated PolyMet court ruling
Both sides claimed victory Wednesday after the state Supreme Court issued a complex ruling over state permits for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. The justices affirmed a lower court’s decision to reverse the critical “permit to mine” for the $1 billion project.
The risk of COVID-19 spread for children and students
Minnesota health officials are urging more testing of middle and high school students for COVID-19. They're increasingly concerned about spread of the virus among children who are not yet authorized for the vaccine. This sets up a tough dynamic for parents. It can be hard to know how safe certain activities are for the family, if not everyone is immunized.
Minnesota artist uses ancient techniques to create portraits of 'Women of Faith'
Minnesota artist Mark Balma is drawing on ancient techniques to create three huge frescoes for a church in Italy. He planned to do the work on site, but the pandemic intervened. As he faced a modern challenge, he turned to an approach developed more than 2,000 years ago.
Police in cities like New Orleans, Baltimore and Chicago have been the subject of similar Justice Department investigations. For more on the process — and its result in Chicago — MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Chip Mitchell, who covers criminal justice for public radio station WBEZ.