TALKERS081221

TOP STORIES

• Minnesota reaches 70% vaccination goal in people 16 and older: The state reached its goal of 70% of Minnesotans who have received at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine more than a month after Gov. Tim Walz's initial July 1 goal. Despite vaccination progress, the positivity rate of COVID-19 diagnostic testing has risen above the state's 5% caution threshold.
• Huntington Bank name will soon replace TCF around Twin Cities: The rebranding of TCF will happen over the next few weeks, most visibly at the University of Minnesota football stadium. TCF's customers will start using new digital apps soon, and the rebranding will be complete in mid-October when TCF branches start using the Huntington name.
• Your daily coffee habit is about to get more expensive: The cost of coffee beans has soared this year, leaving roasters anguishing over whether their customers, from grocery stores to cafes to people looking for their daily latte, will tolerate higher prices.
• Allina bans Twin Cities plastic surgeon: A plastic surgeon previously reprimanded for sexual misconduct with a female client is now under state investigation for at least a fourth time on groping allegations that have him newly banned at numerous Twin Cities hospitals.
• Texas senator ends filibuster over GOP voting bill: Texas Democrat Carol Alvarado ended a 15-hour filibuster today in her party's latest defiance over new voting restrictions, but it only delayed Republicans who went on to approve the sweeping elections bill just minutes after she wearily left the floor.
• U.S. jobless claims near pandemic low: The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell for a third straight time last week, the latest sign that employers are laying off fewer people as they struggle to fill a record number of open jobs.
• Target-owned Shipt, Eagan's CaringBridge to work together: The new partnership aims to help caregivers quickly secure groceries and drugstore items needed by families.

WATCH THIS

Too close for comfort: Watch a tornado form and start to rampage near Black Creek, Wisconsin.

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TRENDING

• Indigenous teen writers show off their funny side: "Reservation Dogs" is getting high marks for being the first major TV series to be entirely directed and written by Indigenous people. But don't tune in just because of that; watch because it's funny, writes TV critic Neal Justin.
• KARE 11 names Perkins replacement: The TV station has named Reggie Wilson from WCPO in Cincinnati as Eric Perkins' replacement and the station's new sports director.
• "Garlic is like wine": With its fertile, well-managed soil, the Twin Cities area is a great place to grow garlic. You'll find a range of different varieties in our local farmers markets and co-ops.

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• Iowa is home field tonight: The Field of Dreams comes to life tonight with the White Sox playing the Yankees next to a corn field in Dyersville, Iowa.
• Rashod Bateman to have groin surgery: Former Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman will have groin surgery after suffering an injury at Baltimore Ravens training camp, head coach John Harbaugh said today.
• Controversial decision in Minnesota boxing match leads to suspension of judge: ESPN reported that judge Gloria Martinez Rizzo's scorecard from a fight Saturday at the Armory in Minneapolis was at the heart of a six-month suspension.

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WORTH A CLICK

Where America's developed areas are growing: A Washington Post analysis highlights how suburbs are sprawling in Arizona and Nevada as industries move to the Sun Belt, retirement communities are popping up in Florida as the baby boomer generation ages, and oil and natural gas wells have emerged across North Dakota and Texas.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

August 12, 1952: Transit riders looked curious and amused as they got off the Como-Harriet Streetcar to board a shuttle bus at 44th Street West and France Avenue South. To most rush-hour streetcar passengers bound for Edina this day, the no-streetcar leg of their trip was a bit of a lark. (Photo: Star Tribune)