Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic have again been extended. It comes as virus cases rise and vaccinations continue to ramp up with over 3.4 million doses administered in the state so far. 
 
 The Minnesota Executive Council, all Democrats, extended the governor’s powers by another 30 days.
 
 Walz says the move continues to give state officials the ability to act swiftly during the pandemic as the state works to outpace the spread of COVID-19 variants. He said it helped prevent an even bigger impact on long-term care facilities. 
 
 In other news, the governor recently announced that $135 million in federal funding will go to support child care in Minnesota. The funds will go to providers and improve access to child care for families impacted by the pandemic. 
 
 The new funding will come from the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was passed in December. This funding is in addition to $48 million that the state previously received from the federal government for child care. 
 
 Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says the funding is focused on equity and will be going to low-income families while also providing critical support for child care providers. 
 
 Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic