TALKERS081121

TOP STORIES

• Delta variant found in 90% of Minnesota cases: A fast-spreading coronavirus delta variant is now the dominant source of COVID-19 in Minnesota, where genomic sequencing over the past two weeks has found the variant in 90% of positive specimens from infected patients.
• Pregnant women urged to get vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged all pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine as hospitals in hot spots around the U.S. see disturbing numbers of unvaccinated mothers-to-be seriously ill with the virus.
• Star Tribune chair will become MPR's new CEO: Jean Taylor will become the next CEO of American Public Media Group, the parent company for Minnesota Public Radio. Taylor has served as chairperson of the Star Tribune board since 2018. Her father, Glen Taylor, bought the news company in 2014.
• Latest victory in the Senate for Biden: Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion framework for bolstering family services, health, and environment programs through the Senate early this morning, advancing President Joe Biden's expansive vision for reshaping federal priorities just hours after handing him a companion triumph on a hefty infrastructure package.
• One-vote margin in Brooklyn Park: The mayoral race in Brooklyn Park is headed for a recount after Lisa Jacobson defeated Hollies Winston on Tuesday by a single vote — 3,415 to 3,414. The narrow margin triggers an automatic recount.
• Woman missing for 5 days found dead on rural property north of Twin Cities: The body of Amanda Jo Vangrinsven, 32, was located Tuesday night by Isanti County and city of Isanti law enforcement personnel. Authorities said there have been no arrests. Circumstances of her death are yet to be revealed.

WATCH THIS

Family reunion: A woman reunited a koala joey who fell out of a tree with his mother earlier this week in South Australia.

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TRENDING

• Blue Ox Music Festival to require vaccination or negative test: While most other music festivals and big outdoor concerts near the Twin Cities are not implementing stricter policies this summer, the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire said it will require a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test.
• Homestyle cooking at new Soul to Soul Smokehouse and CHX restaurants: Two trios at new Minneapolis restaurants share one goal in bringing homestyle cooking to the city. Both CHX in Uptown and Soul to Soul Smokehouse in Midtown are run by longtime friends who work together like brothers.
• How to watch the Perseid meteor shower: Grab a blanket and a friend, and prepare to be a little sleep-deprived — the Perseid meteor shower is peaking this week.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• Vikings release first 'unofficial' depth chart: Roster positions are fluid as competition picks up with this week's joint practices against Denver and Saturday's preseason opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.
• No excuses required for the return of Tony La Russa: Columnist Patrick Reusse writes that Tony La Russa, hired to manage the White Sox nine years after retirement, shows he's still an "all-time great leader."
• Ranking every player in the NBA: On today's Daily Delivery podcast, Michael Rand talks to NBA Math founder Adam Fromal about his website's ambitious rankings of every player in the NBA — and what it means for the Wolves.

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WORTH A CLICK

Concern over expiring vaccine doses: Millions of coronavirus vaccine doses around the world face expiration.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

August 11, 1976: Alan Merrick, captain of the Minnesota Kicks, hoisted his son Adam, 4, for a victory wave after the Kicks stomped the Los Angeles Aztecs 6-2 to win the Western Division of the North American Soccer League in front of 42,000 fans at Metropolitan Stadium. (Photo: Pete Hohn/Star Tribune)