The Biden administration is working to distribute several billion dollars in aid for winter heating and utility bills through its $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.

The package will provide an additional $4.5 billion for the government’s low-income home energy assistance program. Aid for renters can also cover utility costs, while the money provided to state, local and tribal governments can help families that face high heating bills that are ineligible for other programs.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that the Department of Defense will send medical teams to two major Minnesota hospitals to relieve doctors and nurses who are swamped by a growing wave of COVID-19 patients

Hennepin County Medical Center and Saint Cloud Hospital will each receive 22 emergency federal medical workers after a request from the governor.

St. Thomas students will now be required to scan their ID’s at the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library after 10 p.m. The new protocol was put into effect to help keep students, library staff and materials safe.

Meg Goltzman can be reached at golt1138@stthomas.edu.