Bars, restaurants and fitness centers will be closed to the public for four weeks starting Friday, according to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s new mandate.

The Star Tribune reports that bars and restaurants will still be allowed to offer takeout services. The new restrictions will also include a temporary stop to youth sports activities.

Walz will address Minnesotans at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss the latest steps in the COVID-19 response.

Two influential state senators announced today that they will split from the DFL party to form an independent caucus, according to the Star Tribune.

The decision made by Senator Tom Bakk of Cook and Senator David Tomassoni of Chisholm will likely change the dynamics of the already narrow state legislature.

The GOP-led 34-33 split in the Senate will now consist of 34 Republicans, 31 Democrats and two independents. The House will remain led by Democrats.

President Donald Trump has fired the nation’s top election security official.

The dismissal of Christopher Krebs, a widely respected member of Trump’s administration, was abrupt but not surprising.

Krebs had disproved the president’s unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud.

Following his loss, Trump has noted his administration of officials as insufficiently loyal and denounced the conduct of the election.

Maddie Peters can be reached at pete9542@stthomas.edu.