coronavirus

COVID-19 vaccination rate drops for kids in Minnesota

Zach Bakke, 8, of Minnetonka posed for a photo on a selfie wall after getting a COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 2 at Mall of America in Bloomington.

Vaccine hesitancy, holiday breaks and appointment hassles reduced first-dose vaccinations in children 5-11.

Minnesota's child-care providers face staff shortages, rising costs

Carolina Saldaña sang with toddlers at the Rainbow Child Development Center in St. Paul earlier this month. The center is grappling with staffing sho

With profits evaporating, child-care providers are asking parents to pay more — or they're going out of business.

Minnesota COVID patient at center of lawsuit over his ventilator dies in Texas hospital

Scott Quiner, 55, of Buffalo, died Saturday in Texas after a months-long battle with COVID-19.

Buffalo man's family sued Mercy Hospital to keep him on a ventilator

Brooks: Minnesota's irreplaceable replacement teachers

Substitute teacher Craig Nilles led a physical education class at Eagan’s Woodland Elementary in October 2021.

Substitute teachers hold Minnesota schools together as the pandemic tears everything apart.

Omicron cases appear to peak in U.S., but deaths continue to rise

Trends are encouraging in parts of the Upper Midwest and Northwest. But even as hopeful data points emerge, the threat has by no means passed.

After record year, Market Bucks program for low-income Minnesotans expands this spring

The statewide program, which offers incentives for Minnesotans on food stamps to purchase fresh, locally grown foods, landed a federal grant that will double its budget this year.

Restaurant owners sue Mpls. and Frey over vaccine mandate

Plaintiffs say the requirements of the vaccine pose challenges and go against guidance from medical experts.

Omicron variant now hitting Minnesota long-term care homes

New cases had been falling last month after residents received COVID-19 vaccine boosters

Booster shots are instrumental in fighting omicron, CDC data show

Extra doses were most effective against infection and death among Americans 50 and older.

Minn. infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann to retire Feb. 2

Kris Ehresmann, a key architect of the state's response to the COVID pandemic, will retire in February after more than 30 years at the state's health agency.

'Frustrated beyond frustrated': In St. Cloud area, health care system ekes by

CentraCare staff, worn-down and tired, prep for omicron peak as federal help departs.

Gov. Walz pitches checks for 2.7M Minnesota households

Republicans call idea to use some of the surplus for one-time "Walz checks" an election year gimmick.

How to find a quality face mask (and avoid counterfeits)

Knowing which mask to pick and making sure it's not a fake requires the sleuthing skills of a forensic investigator. This guide can help.

St. Louis Park becomes eighth Minnesota city to adopt a mask mandate

The list is unlikely to grow as omicron cases are expected to decline, League of Minnesota Cities official says.

Mpls., St. Paul restaurant mandates met with grim resolve

Starting Wednesday, the cities are requiring businesses seat only customers who are vaccinated or can show a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours.