Covering Chauvin trial, CNN spooked by Minnesota's tornado siren test

For local reporters, sirens at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month are no cause for alarm. For a CNN crew unfamiliar with Minnesota's tornado tests? Not so much.

The TV station cut away from reporter Josh Campbell, who is in town for the Derek Chauvin trial, apparently worried that the blare of the siren signified an imminent threat to his safety.

Nope, it was just 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday, which is when Hennepin County Emergency Management tests its sirens.

"Josh, hang on a second, I just need to make sure you're okay," said anchor Brooke Baldwin. "Forgive me for being that person, but I'm going to take you off the TV, I'm going to make sure you're okay, whatever's going on around you is okay, we're going to timeout, I promise I'll bring you back."

In fairness, multiple buildings in downtown Minneapolis are locked down with concrete barricades and wire fencing as part of enhanced security during the trial, not exactly surroundings that scream "relax, you're fine."

And as it turned out, the sirens happened to be testing during a pretty intense rain shower in Minneapolis, with the National Weather Service having to clarify that there's no ongoing severe weather threat.

Minnesotans can expect to hear more sirens on Thursday April 15, which is when Minnesota holds its statewide tornado drills as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Campbell realized the reason for the sirens a short time later...