GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XShow Caption of By | | Pioneer PressRiver cruise line Viking will launch a new vessel August 2022 that will sail the Mississippi River between New Orleans and St. Paul.“At a time where many of us are at home, looking for inspiration to travel in the future, I am pleased to introduce a new, modern way to explore this great river,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a statement.The vessel, christened the , is the company’s first custom vessel. Bookings to the general public open Wednesday.Hosting 386 guests in...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XShow Caption of By | | Pioneer PressRiver cruise line Viking will launch a new vessel August 2022 that will sail the Mississippi River between New Orleans and St. Paul.“At a time where many of us are at home, looking for inspiration to travel in the future, I am pleased to introduce a new, modern way to explore this great river,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a statement.The vessel, christened the , is the company’s first custom vessel. Bookings to the general public open Wednesday.Hosting 386 guests in...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer Press Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz threw down a gauntlet Monday on when the state can restart the economy he shut down last month to gird against the spreading coronavirus pandemic:5,000 tests per day.And a robust ability to trace infections and isolate those carrying the virus.It’s an ambitious standard — one he likened to the quest to put a human on the moon — and it’s not clear how soon it can be achieved.He refused to commit to a date, leaving those hoping for some sense of how to schedule their hopes...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer Press Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz threw down a gauntlet Monday on when the state can restart the economy he shut down last month to gird against the spreading coronavirus pandemic:5,000 tests per day.And a robust ability to trace infections and isolate those carrying the virus.It’s an ambitious standard — one he likened to the quest to put a human on the moon — and it’s not clear how soon it can be achieved.He refused to commit to a date, leaving those hoping for some sense of how to schedule their hopes...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Forum News ServiceIn a Friday post on her Twitter account, the chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party accused Democrats of using the coronavirus pandemic as an “excuse for extreme communist control.”Jennifer Carnahan tweeted in response to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Thursday announcement that it won’t open city beaches, wading pools and water parks this summer because of the contagion.Carnahan questioned if the board’s decision was necessary yet, with summer weeks away.“Was it necessary for...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Forum News ServiceIn a Friday post on her Twitter account, the chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party accused Democrats of using the coronavirus pandemic as an “excuse for extreme communist control.”Jennifer Carnahan tweeted in response to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Thursday announcement that it won’t open city beaches, wading pools and water parks this summer because of the contagion.Carnahan questioned if the board’s decision was necessary yet, with summer weeks away.“Was it necessary for...WW…

A group calling itself “Liberate Minnesota” is using Facebook to organize a protest in front of the Governor’s Residence on Friday to demand that Gov. Tim Walz end the stay-at-home order he issued in mid-March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.“Now is the time to demand Governor Walz and our state legislators end this lock down!” the group wrote in its Facebook post. “Minnesota’s economy must be opened for business or destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Minnesota citizens and their families may result if we don’t act quickly.”It accuses Walz of using the COVID-19 crisis not to...…A group calling itself “Liberate Minnesota” is using Facebook to organize a protest in front of the Governor’s Residence on Friday to demand that Gov. Tim Walz end the stay-at-home order he issued in mid-March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.“Now is the time to demand Governor Walz and our state legislators end this lock down!” the group wrote in its Facebook post. “Minnesota’s economy must be opened for business or destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Minnesota citizens and their families may result if we don’t act quickly.”It accuses Walz of using the COVID-19 crisis not to...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressFirst Avenue officially turns 50 on Friday. Joe Cocker was the first musician to perform at the former bus depot on April 3, 1970.The downtown Minneapolis nightclub had booked a to celebrate, with Golden Smog, the Hold Steady and Neko Case among them. But now that COVID-19 has shut down all large public gatherings, First Avenue figured out a way to mark the momentous day.At 5 p.m. Friday, at least a dozen Twin Cities radio stations will play Prince’s signature song “Purple Rain” in unison....…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressFirst Avenue officially turns 50 on Friday. Joe Cocker was the first musician to perform at the former bus depot on April 3, 1970.The downtown Minneapolis nightclub had booked a to celebrate, with Golden Smog, the Hold Steady and Neko Case among them. But now that COVID-19 has shut down all large public gatherings, First Avenue figured out a way to mark the momentous day.At 5 p.m. Friday, at least a dozen Twin Cities radio stations will play Prince’s signature song “Purple Rain” in unison....WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressCitations for violating Gov. Tim Walz’ orders to stay at home and halt business operations have started trickling in across the state, including a few in the metro area.As of Monday, eight people were charged with violating the emergency orders. The orders require bars and restaurants to halt dine-in services as well as having residents largely stay at home. Violating the order is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.The first was issued in Faribault County on March 26. Two...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressCitations for violating Gov. Tim Walz’ orders to stay at home and halt business operations have started trickling in across the state, including a few in the metro area.As of Monday, eight people were charged with violating the emergency orders. The orders require bars and restaurants to halt dine-in services as well as having residents largely stay at home. Violating the order is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.The first was issued in Faribault County on March 26. Two...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressMinnesota health officials reported 23 new fatalities and 768 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus Thursday.That brings the total number of Minnesotans who have died to 508 and the total number of confirmed cases to date at 9,365.The 768 new confirmed cases is the highest single-day tally to date, although an upward trend has been expected since the state is testing more and because of the upward climb of the virus’ spread.Of the state’s COVID-19 fatalities to date, 80 percent have been among...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Pioneer PressMinnesota health officials reported 23 new fatalities and 768 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus Thursday.That brings the total number of Minnesotans who have died to 508 and the total number of confirmed cases to date at 9,365.The 768 new confirmed cases is the highest single-day tally to date, although an upward trend has been expected since the state is testing more and because of the upward climb of the virus’ spread.Of the state’s COVID-19 fatalities to date, 80 percent have been among...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy |A northern Minnesota state senator tweeted a now-deleted video of himself asking why campgrounds and resorts are closed during the coronavirus pandemic, while homeless Minnesotans are sleeping outside.Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, on Tuesday tweeted the question, “How is camping on the streets of St Paul any safer than your family camping up North?” He later deleted the tweet after drawing criticism on social media.In a corresponding video of himself in St. Paul, he pointed behind himself to a “tent city” of...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy |A northern Minnesota state senator tweeted a now-deleted video of himself asking why campgrounds and resorts are closed during the coronavirus pandemic, while homeless Minnesotans are sleeping outside.Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, on Tuesday tweeted the question, “How is camping on the streets of St Paul any safer than your family camping up North?” He later deleted the tweet after drawing criticism on social media.In a corresponding video of himself in St. Paul, he pointed behind himself to a “tent city” of...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | , | and | | Pioneer PressSt. Paul police are responding to large groups of people in the Midway, Sun Ray areas and elsewhere on Thursday. Police reported that people broke business windows, looted stores, and threw rocks and bottles at officers throughout the afternoon.Mayor Melvin Carter called on people to stay home and police asked people to stay away from the area of the Target on University Avenue.“Please do not come here to protest,” Carter tweeted Thursday afternoon. “Please keep the focus on George Floyd,...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | , | and | | Pioneer PressSt. Paul police are responding to large groups of people in the Midway, Sun Ray areas and elsewhere on Thursday. Police reported that people broke business windows, looted stores, and threw rocks and bottles at officers throughout the afternoon.Mayor Melvin Carter called on people to stay home and police asked people to stay away from the area of the Target on University Avenue.“Please do not come here to protest,” Carter tweeted Thursday afternoon. “Please keep the focus on George Floyd,...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Pioneer PressMinnesota has a Confederate symbol in its possession. It has long caused controversy. And Minnesota is not moving it.The Confederate icon — a scarred Virginia battle flag — was captured by the First Minnesota Pvt. Marshall Sherman at the bloody and brutal Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Many of the First Minnesota Regiment, a volunteer force, died in the Union battle against the South, and Sherman was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role.“We just rushed in like wild beasts. Men swore and cursed and...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | Pioneer PressMinnesota has a Confederate symbol in its possession. It has long caused controversy. And Minnesota is not moving it.The Confederate icon — a scarred Virginia battle flag — was captured by the First Minnesota Pvt. Marshall Sherman at the bloody and brutal Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Many of the First Minnesota Regiment, a volunteer force, died in the Union battle against the South, and Sherman was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role.“We just rushed in like wild beasts. Men swore and cursed and...WW…