2020 in review: Top news, part II
[KSTP-TV]
2020 in review: Here is a look at the top news events that dominated this past year in Minnesota.
Read part I of this report here.
AUGUST
Right at the beginning of August, Como Park Zoo announced that 24-year-old polar bear Buzz died after his health declined due to suspected neurological issues.
On Aug. 7, Judge Peter Cahill ruled in favor of the media coalition challenging a court order that prohibited the public from viewing the body camera video of the former officers charged in connection with George Floyd’s fatal arrest.
On Aug. 23, Jacob Blake was shot in the back seven times in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after walking away from an officer and two others who were trying to arrest him. The officer, Rusten Sheskey, shot Blake after Blake opened an SUV’s driver-side door and leaned into the vehicle. Three of Blake’s children were in the back seat. The shooting was captured on video that circulated quickly online, fueling protests. Blake’s father said the shooting by police left his son paralyzed from the waist down and that it was unclear whether the paralysis would be permanent.
Then, a 17-year-old from Illinois was charged in the fatal shooting of two protesters and the wounding of a third in Kenosha during a night of unrest following the shooting of Blake.
Additional August headlines:
- 7-Eleven to buy Speedway chain in $21B deal
- Dog with zip-tied muzzle and tied to tree found, rescued from St. Paul
- Joe Biden selects California Sen. Kamala Harris as running mate
- Lowry Ave. Bridge lit purple in honor of late ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman
- North Shore chef comes to the rescue when eagle jumps on woman
Minnesotans also appreciated this photo of the start of fall foliage:
SEPTEMBER
Local beer giant Surly Brewing Co. announced it would close its beer hall indefinitely on Nov. 2, citing an inability to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for the decision.
On Sept. 20, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signed a joint proclamation to make the day Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day in the Twin Cities.
The Minnesota Twins claimed the team’s second straight American League Central title.
Additional September headlines:
- Minnesota mom promotes clear masks to help children with nonverbal expression during pandemic
- Vikings to recognize Floyd family, bring awareness to social justice issues during home opener
- KSTP’s Brett Hoffland returns to the newsroom following cancer treatment
- Trump nominates Amy Coney Barrett for US Supreme Court
OCTOBER
Sixteen-year-old Isabella Tunney, from Minneapolis, became the first female in Minnesota, and one of two across the United States, to achieve a Boy Scout eagle rank by earning all 137 merit badges.
After months of physical therapy and recovery from a shooting in January, Waseca police officer Arik Matson returned home to his family on Oct. 19.
The truck driver who drove through a protest on the Interstate 35W bridge after George Floyd’s death was charged with a felony.
KSTP Chief Meteorologist Dave Dahl announced he is retiring after 43 years at 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.
Additional October headlines:
- President Trump taken to military hospital after COVID-19 diagnosis
- Derek Chauvin, former MPD officer charged in killing of George Floyd, released from prison on $1 million bond
- Legendary Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman dies at 100
- Barrett confirmed by Senate for Supreme Court, takes oath
NOVEMBER
Democrat Joe Biden won Minnesota in the 2020 presidential race. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, results rolled in during the days following Election Day.
Some local businesses boarded up their windows in the event of any Election Day aftermath.
Minnesotan Wesley So reclaimed his title as U.S. chess champion during this year’s virtual event.
Apple bowed to the backlash over the move to exclusively stream the beloved "Peanuts" specials and announced a deal with PBS to return the specials to air.
Additional November headlines:
- Bail set at $2M for teen accused in Wisconsin shootings
- These Minneapolis farmers markets will be open over the winter
- Peace Coffee permanently closes its shops, nonprofit coffee company to take over Longfellow location
DECEMBER
Holy mackerel muskie, that’s a big catch! An Inver Grove Heights man caught two 50-pound muskies in one day on Dec. 16.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division reported four bar and grills — one in Lakeville, one in Princeton, one in Merrifield and one in East Grand Forks — were having their liquor licenses suspended for violating COVID-19 restrictions. That happened a day after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison pledged that his office would hold all businesses that violated COVID-19 restrictions accountable. By the end of the year, about 10 bars and restaurants had been cited.
Eight nuns living at a retirement home for sisters in suburban Milwaukee died of COVID-19 complications in one week.
Additional December headlines:
- First highway crossing dedicated to wildlife coming to Minnesota
- Biden, Harris named Time magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’
- McDonald’s in Dinkytown closes after nearly 60 years
- Group releases list of Minnesota businesses planning on reopening in defiance of Walz’s order
- Legendary Twin Cities sports broadcaster Tom Hanneman dies
- Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief
Winter is here! Many Minnesotans appreciated this sign of the season:
Meanwhile, here are the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reports that were recipients of this year’s Regional Emmy Awards:
- On the university’s dime: A professor’s unchecked expenses
- The Deportation Business: More detainees, more challenges, more money for local jails