Talkers081021

TOP STORIES

• Gun rights group sues to let State Fair visitors be armed: A gun owners advocacy group went to court today on behalf of a Twin Cities preacher and a longtime fellow gun rights advocate in hopes of forcing the Minnesota State Fair to allow permit-holding visitors onto its grounds while armed.
• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigning: The three-term Democratic governor announced his resignation this morning over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations in a fall from grace a year after he was widely hailed nationally for his detailed daily briefings and leadership during some of the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Big win for $1 trillion infrastructure bill: With a robust vote after weeks of fits and starts, the Senate approved a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan today, a rare coalition of Democrats and Republicans joining to overcome skeptics and deliver a cornerstone of President Joe Biden's agenda.
• COVID-19 hospitalizations surge in Minnesota: Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have more than tripled over the past month in Minnesota, which reported a total of 333 today amid concerns over a fast-spreading coronavirus delta variant.
• Lynx remove attendance restrictions at Target Center: Coming out of the Olympic break on Sunday, the Minnesota Lynx have lifted COVID-19 restrictions on fan attendance that should return Target Center to being one of the better home court advantages in the WNBA. Fans, however, will be required to wear masks.
• Ramsey County sets COVID-19 protocols for employees: Ramsey County leaders are moving forward with a plan to require its more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees to either provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or submit to weekly testing.
• Wisconsin governor vetoes GOP bills to restrict absentees: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a series of bills today passed by the state's Republican-controlled Legislature that would have imposed new restrictions on absentee ballots in the key battleground state.

WATCH THIS

Dancing bears take to the golf course: Three black bear cubs made their way onto a North Carolina golf course and one tried taking down a flagstick.

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TRENDING

• Legal past comes back to haunt 'Jeopardy!' host front-runner: With "Jeopardy!" executive producer Mike Richards emerging as the possible replacement for the late Alex Trebek, three lawsuits alleging discrimination and gender-based harassment when he was at "The Price Is Right" are back in the spotlight.
• Finding a replacement for Dave Lee: Listeners eager to learn who will take over the morning show at WCCO Radio will have to wait a little longer.
• Christina Applegate says she has MS: Emmy Award-winner Christina Applegate, 49, has announced that she has multiple sclerosis, describing her diagnosis as a "tough road."

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• Vikings rookie QB off of COVID list: The Vikings activated rookie quarterback Kellen Mond from the COVID-19 reserve list this morning, clearing the way for the third-round pick to return to practice after a 10-day absence.
• Summer rookie ball off to hot start: Minnehaha Academy's Jalen Suggs shined in his pro debut for the Orlando Magic and the Wolves' Anthony Edwards showed his unstoppable personality from the seats while watching the Timberwolves top San Antonio.
• Rand and Reusse on Barstool baseball and Kaprizov: On today's Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand welcomes columnist Patrick Reusse to talk about MLB's possible broadcast agreement with Barstool Sports and a report that Kirill Kaprizov has an offer to play in Russia if the Wild can't get him signed.

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WORTH A CLICK

Lake Tahoe was already short on housing, then remote workers came to town: Truckee, Calif., saw an influx of remote workers during the pandemic, straining an existing housing shortage and driving up home prices.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

August 10, 1992: With much fanfare, the Mall of America celebrated its grand opening in Bloomington. (Photo: David Brewster/Star Tribune)